Strathallan and Hopetoun 2011/Scottish Fixtures

I'm disappointed. To me the comment "The Fixture list for 2011 is not finalised yet so I do not think it approriate at this stage to comment on a particular Event." mean that they will not comment until the decision has been set in stone and therefore the views of members are not relevant in their decision making process.
 
That's how I interpret it too and that they are more interested in higher classes than providing for the grassroutes rider. I know the riders at a higher level need to get qualification results but grassroute riders want to progress but they can't if events don't run. Surely there is a way to make it work for all
 
you would think it would make more sense to release a draft then consult members before finalising the schedule?! or atleast consult the ERA rep (does this already happen?)? It is after all funded by members and they are the people who should get some say in events etc. From the sounds of it (from a very new to and not really a BE eventer POV!) the Scottish calander would benefit more from adding more IN, ON and I into existing events and helping keep Burgie running at an international level.
 
lizzie_liz said:
That's how I interpret it too and that they are more interested in higher classes than providing for the grassroutes rider. I know the riders at a higher level need to get qualification results but grassroute riders want to progress but they can't if events don't run. Surely there is a way to make it work for all
Click to expand...

agree.gif


It definitely sounds like "we need to make sure the top levels are sorted, then we'll see if we can sort something out for the riff raff at the lower levels later...". :(

I hope Strathallan runs next year. :(
 
EMS207 you are right. There are only Eglinton, Auchinleck, Scone and Floors that run at Int level in Scotland. Only 5 run at IN (Scone , Floors, Aswanley, Hendersyde and Strathallan) - so now only 4! And only one at CIC* (Burgie which is looking doubtful) and Blair and Burgie at CCI*. Only 2 events run at Advanced So the top end of the triangle is very thin. BE need to encourage more to run at ON, IN, CIC*, CCI* and Int in order to get horses in Scotland that are able to compete in the proposed CIC** and CIC*** at Hopetoun. But none of this should be done at the cost of grassroots riders by taking away the BE80/90/100/N/IN classes of a very popular event like Strathallan.

Although it is interesting to debate these issue on HHO the only way anything will change is to email BE and kick up a fuss!
 
kirkton said:
I know for a fact that the 2011 fixture list at the moment has no date included for Strathallan. :mad: So if you want to change this you need to act now and not once the list is published in Nov/Dec
Click to expand...

So you think emailing BE direct is the way to go? Can ERA not take it to them with the comments on their forum? I thought that was the point of posting on there, so that they could then pitch to BE on our behalf?

Am very upset to be losing Strathallan. :(
 
If emailing would also help the quest to save strathallan I would be more than happy to email in my thoughts as a grassroots rider :D Maybe that should be the new line of attack?
 
This may put me in the firing line but hey ho!

I have emailed BE on this matter to make my feelings know to them (which I suggest everyone else does, we are all the people who pay cash into BE which in turn pays these peoples wages lets not forget that!) and now I get the impression that that Strathallan hasnt been dropped by BE and it was the organisers decision (but lets me honest here, they lost their date and where bullied out?!). And that Central Scotland could not run the ** due to financial reasons.... Which is odd as Scone took on the ** this year for hutton and offer to run it again.......
 
I shall me emailing them later to try Save Strathallan.

It definitely appears to be a case of Strathallan being forced out, not just choosing not to run BE. BE are favouring Hopetoun and letting them "steal" the date that Strathallan has had for many years. And so us "minions" at the bottom of the tree potentially lose TWO events (we have no idea of the lowest level that Hopetoun will run).

Very disappointing and I hope we can fill up BE's inbox with enough emails on the matter to make BE think again...
 
If by giving Strathallan's date to Hopetoun and then offering Strathallan a different date that they were not able to do is BE's definition of 'the organiser chosing not to run' then I think that is a pretty weak line of defence from BE.
 
Thanks JB - every email helps the cause greatly.

Kirtkon - I have to agree. Strathallan has alot on all summer, from highland ponies to local RC show and since they hold many events it makes it so much harder from them to suffle dates not to mention the sheep!

This whole matter is so frustrating - Gleneagles has just been lost, and Strathallan used to run a Tullibardine BE which has been lost and now Strathallan is to be lost and talk of lossing Hopetoun lower levels?! That is basically four events (considering the orginal format of hopetoun has now been lost) from one region. Confirms that when BE talk of the need for events to help progress combinations and/or get qualifications they dont mean riders aiming for the RF and the Badminton finals! Seems they count for less. And its not a case of these events not be able to be ran from lack of entries - in the case of Strathallan thats a definiate, 500 riders in one weekend! Lets see hopetoun achieve that.
 
As an 'outsider' looking in from the Midlands, do you think Strathallan would run unaffiliated, on their usual date?

There are a few venues in this area which run BE and unaff. during the year, there is usually no noticeable difference in how they are run, eg quality of course, use same volunteers etc, the benefit to the organisers is that they dont have to pay BE and are then able to give the competitors much better prizes. Might give BE the kick up the bum they need as well!
 
I have emailed BE, the information I have received is the following regarding Strathallan

' Thank you for your e-mail. I am advised that originally Strathallan HT asked for a sabbatical in 2011 and then asked to come back in to the fixture list. I am also advised that they have been offered 4 dates but are unable to accept any of them. This should demonstrate that Frances is working hard to find a date for them for 2011 and we all hope that they will be in the calendar next year. I can assure you we do not wish to lose events.'

I think that its not all black and white and I'm now going to wait for further info from BE.
 
I’m afraid I do not have any experience with forums and this will probably be my first and last attempt!

I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of myself and the team at Strathallan to thank everyone for the support the event riders have shown over the last ten years. We have enjoyed taking the event from humble beginning to the success it became and that is solely to down to you.
 
Strathallan said:
I’m afraid I do not have any experience with forums and this will probably be my first and last attempt!

I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of myself and the team at Strathallan to thank everyone for the support the event riders have shown over the last ten years. We have enjoyed taking the event from humble beginning to the success it became and that is solely to down to you.
Click to expand...

It is a fantastic event, thank you for working so hard to make it what it is.

Cx
 
Kirkton - do you think lostmymarbles idea would be a goer? if hopetoun doesnt run lower level classes there could be a good chance of running an unaff ODE like alot of other venues do? I know perth hunt PC ran an unaff ODE at scone last year ( I missed it as wasnt paying attention! grrrr!) I tihnk people would be tempted to run at a BE standard course without the big cost and also without it going on their record? good for first time runners etc? I think there is also a loyal band of volunteers for strathallan too - im sure I saw alot of the same faces in 2010 as I did in 2009.
 
Ems207 said:
Kirkton - do you think lostmymarbles idea would be a goer? if hopetoun doesnt run lower level classes there could be a good chance of running an unaff ODE like alot of other venues do? I know perth hunt PC ran an unaff ODE at scone last year ( I missed it as wasnt paying attention! grrrr!) I tihnk people would be tempted to run at a BE standard course without the big cost and also without it going on their record? good for first time runners etc? I think there is also a loyal band of volunteers for strathallan too - im sure I saw alot of the same faces in 2010 as I did in 2009.
Click to expand...

That would be great if it was run unaffiliated. I competed at the Scone unaffiliated organised by Fife Hunt and it was really well run etc.
 
I think it would be a great thing to happen - maybe get the support of the local PC and RC? I know the local RC has their summer show at strathallan each year already and Strathearn PC run their own HT each year so have enough support to pull off a ODE potentially? I know its masses of work but if hopetoun dont run a 90 class there is a big gap in the calender so chances of entries being higher are good.
crossfingers.gif
that Strathallan can run in one form or another.
 
i also agree this is ridiculous! I was counting on the be80 to start my youngster and there is the excellent training day after the event with david gatherer which will be lost as well!

can you tell me the details of the facebook campaign as i cant find it and i will forward this page on to lots of other 'grassroot' riders!
 
Utterly ridiculous. Its the fact that Scotland doesn't have enough BE events as it is so to make 2 clash is plain stupid.

As it stands I don't intend to re-join BE this year, mainly due to the cost and lack of nearish events to go to up here. I'm at the point that I'm bored with novices but there's so few 1*'s or intermediates around and they're so expensive, what's the point! At least doing BSJA, I win my money back and there's regular events all year round locally.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top