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Clare Iveagh
Member
Username: Clarei

Post Number: 6
Registered: 08-2007
Posted on Tuesday, 6 September, 2011 - 11:45 pm:   

I would like to raise the issue of safety, not in the competition itself but in the collecting ring and box park. This season I have witnessed a number of incidents that have made me feel very unsafe particularly as I am aware of the children who are often present.
These incidents include people walking horses in their vehicle in hand (no one on the carriage), not correctly taking out a multiple which resulted in the injury of a helper, removing bridles whilst in front of a carriage (although not attached there were no head collars on) and someone who had the bridle off their pony whilst in the carriage (nothing attached to the ponies head ) the groom had his hands shielding the ponies view of the carriage, the bridle with reins still attached was lying between the front legs of the pony with the driver (off the carriage) changing the bit.
I apologise if I sound censorious and perhaps I overreact but I do fear that these sort of practices may result one day in a horrible accident. None of these people were novices and were all people who should probably know better? None of us are perfect and genuine mistakes and accidents can and do happen to everyone but being knowingly grossly negligent and putting people at risk is wrong. Two people have tragically died this year in carriage related incidents. The horse box park is filled with people, children and dogs. I would urge the council to address this issue and my fellow competitors not to take risks, for a few seconds saved it really isn't worth it.
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Phillip Reeves
Member
Username: Philreeves

Post Number: 6
Registered: 06-2010
Posted on Friday, 19 August, 2011 - 8:34 pm:   

janet here again!well some food for thought there Douglas and also Diane.I can see both sides, I actually won my class at Hopetoun but because there was only 2 of us I didn't qualify narrowly missing out with with a dressage score of 68! In this case I felt worthy of the 10 points for the points league.
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Diane Phillips
Member
Username: Dianephillips

Post Number: 6
Registered: 06-2010
Posted on Friday, 19 August, 2011 - 1:45 pm:   

Obviously 'the magic 10' is relevant in our sport otherwise there wouldn't be "an extensive discussion" on a subject which is important to many people who spend 2/3 hours or more preparing for 10 mins of dressage and then wonder why they bothered.

With regard to qualifying for the Championships, how can someone who has attended all the Nationals this year fail to qualify after falling foul to the rules (being the sole competitor and missing the 65 mark and not having marks close enough to the winner) when another competitor attends one National or maybe just a regional and can qualify.

The sport is trying to promote attendance at Nationals. Maybe a point system where you get points for places at Nationals and lesser points at regionals and then a minimum point value for qualification for the Nationals. For example 10 points for a win at a National and 5 points for a win at a Regional. If the minimum qualifying points is 10, then the National winner would qualify but the regional winner would have to gain 5 more points to qualify. Or is this too complicated?
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Douglas Strachan
Member
Username: Douglass

Post Number: 1
Registered: 06-2007
Posted on Friday, 19 August, 2011 - 9:11 am:   

Let us get real.
Is an extensive discussion in the Forum, on the “magic ten”, the major concern of members when other items might be more relevant to the future of our Sport ?

1) Windsor Qualifiers
1.1 When 150 drivers have qualified already, is qualifying for Windsor still a “prestige” goal ? (24 qualified with a dressage mark over 65 and some of these were over 80)
1.2 Should there be a “cut” (similar to Championship Golf) to restrict total Windsor entry to 100?

2) Points League
2.1 Is a system designed in the days of 15- 20 entries in a class, relevant to today’s class of one when the sole competitor gets 10points?
2.2 Should this be revised to reflect the number in the class or perhaps First gets 4 points, Second gets 3 points, etc irrespective of number of starters.?

3) Regional Events
3.1 Have they had a fair trial?
3.2 Should they be retained?

4) Class Structure
4.1 In view of the low numbers in the 16 classes, should we revert back to 10 classes ?
4.2 Must the Class Structure, on these islands, be dictated to by the minority.

Having, perhaps, set four hares running, I hope some members may take up the banner and raise their opinions at the Conference. (mixed metaphors !!!!)

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