What is wrong with people?

[glamourpuss]

[major rant alert]

The yard I'm on is split into 2 definite groups. Those that go out competing & those that don't.
Most of the 'don't' group want to compete but for various reasons can't.
I've agreed to run a small fun day at the yard. A dressage test & clear round jumping. The idea being that EVERYONE could have a go. When I asked people if they were interested about 20 people said they were. Brilliant! I've arranged a judge, bought rosettes, done everything I can to make it successful.....the dressage is £4 a test & the CR 50p with free refreshments
How many entries do I have?
6
I'm not even going to get the money back I've put in let alone make any for WHW like I hoped.

What have I done wrong? Oh & what's the betting they're all back moaning next week that they don't get to go to competitions
[rant over]

 

[cobmum]

Aww bless you for trying, i hope more liveries support you.

Prehaps some that said yes initially are all 'talk' ....

Whatever happends have fun yourself and be proud that you made an effort

 

[Holly Hocks]

Some people really are a pain, aren't they? I would have expected a couple to drop out, but not that many! I hope some more enter before the day for you!

 

[Shantara]

I would have joined in Shame there's not more lovely people like you!

 

[Daytona]

I learnt a while ago....don't bother ya bum...! You get no thanks for it anyway..! I used to sort lessons witha guy from down the road, folk would book lessons . He would come up , peoPle would drop out last min and think that's ok not to pay lesson when this guy would still need paid, and I'd have to cover there lesson as the man needs his money. I would be raging..!!! And I never got a word of thanks just people moaning etc. Amount of folks that think it's ok to cancel lessons last min, and not pay is a joke. These people have a living to earn. Not there problem your horse lame, your granny sick etc. Anyway moral of the story, don't go out of your way to do things for others. They mostly are ungrateful..

 

[Tnavas]

Good on you for taking the time and effort to help them but the reason they don't bother - no repercussion if they don't go! People don't seem to have the

Years ago I was secretary for Pony Club Show - club said they didn't want to bank money until after the show just in case they had to cancel - I asked if they had ever cancelled - they said no. BUT prior to that when they didn't bank till after the show they would have cheques stopped because it had been a wet day and some people hadn't attended. This time they got all their money and it did rain and I was more than a little gleeful about those that may have tried to stop their chequs.
So when I ran my show - entries had to be in before a certain date - no entries on the day or late entries. We had a massive entry and nearly all turned up. One person tried the horse wouldn't load can I have my entry fees back - I was polite and said no - if you have a doc or vet cert then yes you can have some.

Yesterday 17yr old pulled out the Games team at the last minute - I was furious but there are no repercussions for him - just the team down a good games pony. Frustration.

Are you allowed to open the show up to outsiders? That may be a good way to go, put some schedules at the local saddlery stores and email the local pony and riding clubs.

 

[glamourpuss]

Thanks for the sympathy guys. As show is today I doubt very much I'm getting more entries. Rather stupidly I said people could pay on the day as long as I knew what classes they wanted to do.....well I did think that as these people could see the time & money I had put in then then they would treat it with a little respect.
2 of the 6 entries haven't bothered to find out their times

Never again!

 

[**Vanner**]

It's not unusual - it's because people talk the talk but don't walk the walk!

Go ahead with the six people - have a great time and perhaps next time more will join in.

Our yard does similar events, sometimes we have loads others not so many. we get more now than we used to because others are willing to 'dip their toes'. It is frustrating though when you have invested so much. Fortunately we have a judge as a livery who offers her time and I make rosettes so we don't need many entries to outweigh cost.

 

[glamourpuss]

I fully intend to still go ahead even if I only had one entrant.....I'm not someone who goes back on their word
Also one of the entrants who is a 9 year old girl has been practising like mad all week. At least now she's guaranteed a rosette [looking on the bright side]

Husband has said it's because I've baked cakes....they've all heard how crap my baking is

 

[NeilM]

Why didn't you mention the cakes before...I'd have been there

For around five years I ran an airgun shooting club, within a clay shooting ground. We had 250 members and the top competition team in the South West, but when we ran a summer fun shoot, we got about 15 entries And most of them were brand new members.

All talk and no action.

Still, the owners wife had made some huge cakes, so all was not lost.

 

[MrsMozart]

Glamourpuss you're a star

Now have a lovely image of the nine year old lass . You'll have made her day

And I'd have a piece of your cake...



And just to confirm that sadly you're not the only one it happens to. A lady at one yard arranged a showjumping day. She baked goodies. She's a good instructor. Two people turned up.... But, they had an excellent time

 

[Archangel]

How disappointing, hope the 6 have a great time..

I Also one of the entrants who is a 9 year old girl has been practising like mad all week.

Yay! Go girl

Husband has said it's because I've baked cakes....

Where is this show?

 

[mik]

Agree with the above, I have run my own center so I know how you feel. Anyway, you have done your best, enjoy the day and the look on the face of you 9 year old competitor, she will never forget it, it will be an early xmas for her!
Well done for trying.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

It's such a pity that you've put yourself out & then you lose the support that liveries said they'd give the show. As with most organised events, I learned a long time ago that you need to take the money up front that way people are more reluclant to pull out. It's the same with outings, Xmas get togethers etc.

You may get a few more today......hopefully.....but if nothing else you will have given one 9 year old girl a day to remember!

 

[5horses2dogsandacat]

Great attitude, I wish more fun shows were in my area, I would have loved to have come. the cake was definite the deal maker for me

On a positive side, you have some spare rosettes to hang on you wall... I'd claim all glory for the left over ones lol Xx

 

[cremedemonthe]

I hope you will be pleasantly surprised and more turn up and enter, if I'd known about it beforehand I would have donated some small saddlery gifts for you as prizes to help you along a bit, hope it all goes well, let us know how you get on, Oz

 

[bran mash]

Can you invite friends from any other yards to make up the numbers? good effort though, i applaud you!

 

[hairycob]

Only let those that have entered have the free refreshments. Smile sweetly & explain that the entry fee covered the cost of them when you make anybody else pay, then at least you can recoup part of the cost.

 

[ClobellsandBaubles]

Glamourpuss you're a star

Now have a lovely image of the nine year old lass . You'll have made her day

And I'd have a piece of your cake...

This has made me well up
Let us know how you get on these things run so much better with children I find especially those that have no where to run like summer camp

 

[nikCscott]

Nine yo gets rosettes and cakes- winner! I bet non entires will be sniffing around the cakes and silently kicking themselves for not joining in the fun!

When you don't have transport (or any reason- you've got to go for what ever is possible). The 1st thing I took my new horse to was a hunt that was meeting a mile away, bought him to SJ and neither of us had hunted ever before but the chance to get dressed up and get out- I"M THERE!

Well done for organising the entries will really appreciate it

 

[Jesstickle]

Good for you! I guess they *think* they want to compete but actually they can't really be bothered/ are too scared/ whatever. If they really wanted to they would make it happen. Just goes to show some people like to convince themselves their reasons for not doing something are out of their control and nothing to do with their own hangups!

I hope you, 9yo girl and the others who join have a blooming marvellous time And don't give any cake to the non competitors! They made their beds, now the can lie in them

 

[caramel]

I know how you feel!
I was going to arrange a fun 'dressage to music' comp for charity (think it was children in need). Many liveries said yes, they'd be interested. Go to ask permission... and everyone (bar a couple) had changed their minds! grrr.

Might try and organise some fun classes next year, as there's a few who don't compete (me included).

 

[glamourpuss]

Well I'm back & it wasn't a washout
Turns out one of the girls had given a couple of the no-shows a good talking to. Another of our ex-liveries turned up on the off chance we could sneak her in.
Some lovely tests ridden & everyone got a rosette
little lass won my super-special 'best in show' rosette for having made the most effort
My baking went down a storm & the kettle was on constantly
There was also extra donations made by a couple of people to ensure I wasn't out of pocket.
Faith in horse people slightly restored

 

[nikCscott]

Brilliant well done!

 

[Chestnuttymare]

Well I'm back & it wasn't a washout
Turns out one of the girls had given a couple of the no-shows a good talking to. Another of our ex-liveries turned up on the off chance we could sneak her in.
Some lovely tests ridden & everyone got a rosette
little lass won my super-special 'best in show' rosette for having made the most effort
My baking went down a storm & the kettle was on constantly
There was also extra donations made by a couple of people to ensure I wasn't out of pocket.
Faith in horse people slightly restored

well done , see everything always works out in the end! very pleased for you that it did after all the effort you made. x

 

[Fransurrey]

Good for you, GP. I would love to do this if I was on a yard - I'm not very competitive, but this kind of thing is more fun. Hopefully you will do it again in the Spring (and get entries upfront!). Spring time is when everyone is waking their sleepy neds from a winter competition slumber, so you might find there is a lot more interest!

If all else had failed, you can't put a price on making a little girl happy.

 

[Jazzy B]

I would join in if I was at your yard - only thing I can think is the non competitor people are scared of competing against the competition people. I would still do it though for a laugh!!!

 

[MrsMozart]

Well I'm back & it wasn't a washout
Turns out one of the girls had given a couple of the no-shows a good talking to. Another of our ex-liveries turned up on the off chance we could sneak her in.
Some lovely tests ridden & everyone got a rosette
little lass won my super-special 'best in show' rosette for having made the most effort
My baking went down a storm & the kettle was on constantly
There was also extra donations made by a couple of people to ensure I wasn't out of pocket.
Faith in horse people slightly restored

So very brilliant!

So very well done lass . Hot chocolates, with sprinkles and flakes, all round . An well done to those who rallied round

 

[indiat]

Fantastic result! And for what it is worth GP, had I been that little girl's mum, I would have been scaterring rose petals at your feet!

 

[teddyt]

well done for trying op- worth it for the young girl alone!