Why cant we get full refunds for withdrawing?

[MagicMelon]

Im not talking about affiliated things such as BE because I understand more effort goes into the entry system and they can end up balloting so they must know class numbers etc. etc. I mean local shows such as showing shows or RC level ODE's or hunter trials which require entries in advance. I cannot understand why they cannot offer a full refund as long as you withdraw say a week before the event. In my area, they usually refuse to refund ANYTHING after the closing date which I feel is very unfair. Especially when horses DO injure themselves etc.! Its starting to put me off entering these because of this.

As long as it was a week or so before the event then you wouldnt have the problem of a heap of withdrawls a couple of days before if the weather wasnt good. So I dont see why they dont do it?!

 

[Bounty]

I agree.
I withdrew from a local RC event 10days beforehand, and my slot was filled immediately form the waiting list. My cheque was still cashed. It was held outdoors on a RC committee member's land, so there was no cost incurred in terms of venue hire or anything?

 

[phoenixashes52]

My riding club is lovely. I was in hospital with appendicitis the day before a dressage test and had to pull out. They gave me credit towards another competition even though i'm not even a member of the club.

 

[Angua2]

I agree.

Horses are not machines. I have a horse that will always do something before a prebooked event, especially if I have had to enter weeks in advance. It has got to the point where I refuse to enter things so far in advance due to the sick note abilities