_MizElz_
Well-Known Member
I dont often venture into Comp Riders, so am posting here instead! Just wondering what other people think about this kind of scenario...
Bottom line is, I have had to withdraw from a ODE that we were going to be competing in next weekend. Ellie had a bad reaction to a fly bite after a fun ride a couple of weeks ago, and although it has healed well, her back is still too scabby for me to want to put a saddle on it.
I tried to ring the competition centre on Friday, but was asked to ring back Saturday. I did so, but there was no answer, so instead I decided to send an email. I informed them of my mare's problem, and enquired about whether I would be able to retrieve my entry fee (£50), seeing as it is a full 9 days ahead of the event itself. It is worth also mentioning here that I have helped out many times at events (for free - I was missing horsey action last year so emailed them to offer help) at this specific equestrian centre, and have never asked for, nor expected, any form of recompense.
In my email, I said that as in previous years, I would be more than happy to help out over the summer if I am available. I had an email back earlier saying that I would be paid half my entry fee back if I worked there half a day next weekend (at the event I should have been competing in), or all of it back if I worked the whole day.
As it transpired, I then spoke to a lady at my yard who has entered and not yet paid, and she said she'd be more than happy to take over my entry fee and pay me personally. I emailed the centre with this new idea (I did actually phone them but the lady I spoke to said she wasnt authorised to deal with entry fees) and as yet, I have not had a reply.
Just wanted some views on this scenario please? I feel a little put out at the fact they seem to be holding me to ransom; ie. you work, we'll give you your money back. As it is, I actually would not be able to work a whole day next weekend as I have the saddler coming out, just to check that the saddle is not part of the problem with Elz's back. I'm hoping the swapping-entry-over option will work...just have to wait til I hear back from them I guess! But the lady on the phone didnt seem too happy at my suggestion
Bottom line is, I have had to withdraw from a ODE that we were going to be competing in next weekend. Ellie had a bad reaction to a fly bite after a fun ride a couple of weeks ago, and although it has healed well, her back is still too scabby for me to want to put a saddle on it.
I tried to ring the competition centre on Friday, but was asked to ring back Saturday. I did so, but there was no answer, so instead I decided to send an email. I informed them of my mare's problem, and enquired about whether I would be able to retrieve my entry fee (£50), seeing as it is a full 9 days ahead of the event itself. It is worth also mentioning here that I have helped out many times at events (for free - I was missing horsey action last year so emailed them to offer help) at this specific equestrian centre, and have never asked for, nor expected, any form of recompense.
In my email, I said that as in previous years, I would be more than happy to help out over the summer if I am available. I had an email back earlier saying that I would be paid half my entry fee back if I worked there half a day next weekend (at the event I should have been competing in), or all of it back if I worked the whole day.
As it transpired, I then spoke to a lady at my yard who has entered and not yet paid, and she said she'd be more than happy to take over my entry fee and pay me personally. I emailed the centre with this new idea (I did actually phone them but the lady I spoke to said she wasnt authorised to deal with entry fees) and as yet, I have not had a reply.
Just wanted some views on this scenario please? I feel a little put out at the fact they seem to be holding me to ransom; ie. you work, we'll give you your money back. As it is, I actually would not be able to work a whole day next weekend as I have the saddler coming out, just to check that the saddle is not part of the problem with Elz's back. I'm hoping the swapping-entry-over option will work...just have to wait til I hear back from them I guess! But the lady on the phone didnt seem too happy at my suggestion
