Suggestions from the start box and confessions from the collecting ring.

Thistle, if it's any consolation a lot of people on Sunday commented on how well you coped with the apalling weather & a soggy whiteboard. I have to say all the riders were nice but I could happily have strangled a couple of their helpers.
A plea from me to riders of bay horses - could where something distinctive so I can call out "number 999 you are next after the rider in pink & green stripes" or whatever. I can usually get away with after the grey/piebald/dun but when there are 10 bays around I have to be more imaginative!
 
I always think call up stewards for xc and sj have the worst job - especially when the junior classes are running and the pony club mothers arrive :o

But I dont think I thank the starters generally, as I am too busy thinking "go horse go!" but then that said, one of the starters is my dc for pony club!

I always thank the organisers though, and especially the person that writes up the name of every individual horse on the score board - now theres a job I would hate!
 
Thistle, i was there sat doing ON and BE100 what horrid weather!! You were both great, i do always try to thank everyone as i pass, as people say it doesn't cost anything to be polite. You probably wouldn't remember me i was on a nearly black horse in novice n smallish chesnut in 100 with navy with yellow stars hat silk. I did make a slightly funny comment in the afternoon to the starter man who had his fishing type suit on LOL think B (hope it rite person was standing with him) smiled. Also like to say hi to the fence judges when walking course. I think i have the correct person here, you were at the pc ode at isleham on sunday think you were stood next to me n mum waiting for the prize giving!! What a drastic change in weather it was compared to saturday!!
 
hairycob said:
Thistle, if it's any consolation a lot of people on Sunday commented on how well you coped with the apalling weather & a soggy whiteboard. I have to say all the riders were nice but I could happily have strangled a couple of their helpers.
A plea from me to riders of bay horses - could where something distinctive so I can call out "number 999 you are next after the rider in pink & green stripes" or whatever. I can usually get away with after the grey/piebald/dun but when there are 10 bays around I have to be more imaginative!
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How about their number?! That's what a lot of collecting ring stewards have used to let me know who I'm after. Many don't tell me at all though, so I look at the board, or ask them, to find out which number(s) I am following.
 
Funny I was telling a friend tonight how good the collecting ring steward was at Keysoe and she said it was "Thistle" from the forum.

I was the one on the Dun mare, who can have starting issues and who you kindly let me keep out of the way until it was my time to go - So thanks again!

I used to always shout thanks you on leaving the start box, but more recently have been pre-occupied with actually going - hopefully soon I can get back to it!
 
HM12, I loved your little mare. I always reckon my job is to get everyone out on the course as quickly and safely as is possible. If that means you clear off and reappear on 10 then so be it. As long as you let me know I don't mind, How did you get on?
 
I was nothing to do with the event you were at, but I think it's really rude not to thank anyone who gives you information and helps out. I always try and be polite - I even say 'Thank you' to the dressage judge after I've saluted!

I think that Pony Club has taught me this etiquette, as we have always been told to be polite, and to represent the PC in the best way possible. Well done for doing the job in the cold and wet, and not attempting to murder any cheeky people! x
 
I have to say I am blessed with being rarely even remotely nervous before I go XC and am quite happy to chat away to the starter. I usually find that the two minutes while they count you down takes forever without a bit of a chat ;). I watched Badminton on the TV for years before I even went near a horse, let alone competed, and they always showed you the riders in the start box. I remember the last few seconds of the countdown were always followed by 'Go, Good Luck', and the rider always said thank you. This is something that I do reflexly now, even when the starter doesn't wish me good luck.

We have a lovely XC steward who does a lot of the events up here and it's alway 'oh hello, it's you again' (from her, in a nice way) followed by a 'where else have you been this season' 'what have you brought today' and 'are you on your own as usual'. Her warm ups never seem to be busy so there's almost inevitably 3 before me when I arrive. By the time we've had a chat and popped a couple of fences that's it, time to go :).
 
hairycob said:
Thistle, if it's any consolation a lot of people on Sunday commented on how well you coped with the apalling weather & a soggy whiteboard. I have to say all the riders were nice but I could happily have strangled a couple of their helpers.
A plea from me to riders of bay horses - could where something distinctive so I can call out "number 999 you are next after the rider in pink & green stripes" or whatever. I can usually get away with after the grey/piebald/dun but when there are 10 bays around I have to be more imaginative!
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Hairy Cob, I was the one who turned up without my number! Sorry about that. Afraid I don't do distinctive, but I guess if I'd had my number on, you could have said that the next rider was after rider number 123!
 
I agree its appalling most of the time. At BE you're given start times and we've turned up on time to find most haven't but now want to squeeze in. What are they like? I feel really sorry for warm up stewards, why aren't they issued with load speakers to save their vocals? I especially hate free for alls. Why do folk put thier numbers down and then take another hour to actually turn up and then still cant go cos they need to warm up? When not actually competiting I've helped the steward by number spotting so I can point out who is next in line. Much more helpful than crowding the stewards board. The best system I came across was a steward who refused to take anyones number unless they were actually ready to go. This meant you only had minutes to wait before you got into starting box. I do appreciate these people are giving up a lot and doing a thankless task so I make mental note to self REMEMBER TO SAY THANKS!
 
FigJam said:
Well done to you and B for putting in some hard slog. Glad most were nice to you. When I've done volunteering, I've always had a few be snippy/rude but try to put it down to nerves/stress/business (not that it's really an excuse of course!) and remember the happy, smiley folk instead!

I always try to chat to the start team when I go over- just a quick "hi, having a nice day?" or "long day, nearly home time though!" if I'm on late in the day and always yell "thank you" when they say go. I didn't get much chat from the guys at my event yesterday in return though, not even a good luck after shouting "go". :( So in my case, it was the opposite way around from normal- rider blethering and stewards being quiet!
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You clearly didn't look like you needed luck then. I, on the other hand, did! :o:p

I always shout thank you when wished luck out of the start box, however loose the ability to speak for the 2 minutes before. :rolleyes:

I thanked the road crossing man at Auchinleck who had a horrible dusty job & he seemed confused to be thanked.
 
Hot to Trot you were only one of 4 to turn up without your numbers so don't feel too bad!
I do try & tell people the number before them when they turn up, but don't always manage especially if a lot turn up at the same time & if I have to squeeze in a multiple it could change anyway. I like to give a description as well, as a number can be hard to spot in a large collecting ring if it gets busy & if you are the other side of the area to the person you are following it's easier to spot a colour of horse or silk etc than a number when they head off to the start box.
I have to join the general admiration for Ollie Townend's rider - he was very organised as well, which is always nice, & even made a joke about his dunking as he walked back through the collecting ring.
Pheobe Buckley was lovely to chat to as well while there was a hold on course
 
hairycob said:
I have to join the general admiration for Ollie Townend's rider - he was very organised as well, which is always nice, & even made a joke about his dunking as he walked back through the collecting ring.
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Is it Waylon riding Oli's horses? I know he's based with him and rode a couple last fall. Lovely rider, sounds Canadian, looks a bit like Harry Potter? ;)
 
I was double clear with a few time faults. Not so good in the dressage with 40.5 but she was tense in the rain and wind.

Again thanks!
 
I'm going to make a definite effort to shout 'thank you' more when leaving the start box now! My 2 are so keen though, i'll probably already be halfway over 1 before i can say 'you' but it's the thought that counts. I do say it whenever i can, but not always so ill definitely be improving that.
 
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