| Author | Message | ||
     Minta WInn |
thank you Mike, its good to be kept in the loop especially when many of us where unable to get there. | ||
| Mike Watts |
I can give some unofficial notes on what happened, pending official info. The conference was on October 30th and the BHDTA council met on November 9th. Answering Julie’s point first, Ian Gilbert presented revised proposals for the class structure. These are much more like the current class structure with fine tuning of progressions, and the difference that novice qualifiers will run at national events (and some selected club events). Class promotions for the end of 2010 will run on the 2010 rules – i.e any new scheme is not meant to be retrospective and will apply for 2011. Before the formal conference, there was a large ‘informal’ discussion chaired by Barry Hilditch where Jeff Lisles put the arguments for altering the dressage score to be out of 100, rather than 160 to decrease the weighting of dressage. Some of the audience suggested instead making the marathon more important, by increasing the points per second in obstacles or by making marathons tougher. In a show of hands the audience was overwhelmingly against changing the dressage to be out of 100. The 2011 national event dates were discussed and are already on the BHDTA website, a new venue being Arena UK. UKCC - probably level 1 and 3 coach courses will take place in 2011. Newly elected council members: Barry Hilditch, Frank Campbell and Jock Macfarlane had been elected. Martyn Willis was nominated by the club liaison committee (Audrey Barron having finished her two year term). Membership fees and club affiliation fees are all unchanged, and, as far as I can make out, start fees (though there was a proposal from the floor to drop start fees as they are unpopular with drivers and organisers). Membership and entries were little different from last year, perhaps up a little - “within the error” I'd say. The affiliated club meeting was run differently, to give people a chance to talk, meet people working in other clubs and exchange ideas; we spent most of the meeting in discussion groups on issues of interest to the people there, and each group reported back. Since I chaired that meeting I guess it’s OK for me to publish my presentation and the minutes – I’m sorry our minutes are naturally rather dry, the meeting was actually very positive and lively. At the end of the meeting people unanimously preferred this more interactive format. An improvement requested was to be able to go to more than one discussion group. Report of the clubs meeting to the conference. (See presentation). While the figures are approximate, they give an idea of how much driving is going on in clubs. I counted over 1400 entries in 2 day club events, as well as 1840 indoors, and of course there are many club one day events. Lots of driving takes place at good quality club events, and all new members start there too... Chris Hillman, BHDTA Marketing Director, gave an inspiring talk about taking the sport forward – gaining more publicity and sponsorship. Chris included some very upbeat videos to show how the sport can be presented to sponsors, to show them how they can benefit from being involved with hdt. I’m sorry more information hasn’t come out yet. Before the recent BHDTA council meeting I formally asked for the council to consider a motion to “..consult members and be as open as possible …. involve, inform, inspire”. However, this was not put on the agenda. If you do feel the BHDTA needs to communicate differently, please lobby your council members. | ||
| Julie Hoskyns |
I heard that % in dressage was voted down and novices would be back at the nationals but I wasn't there either so this is second hand. | ||
| Carole Redgrave |
I too have been waiting to hear the outcome of all the debating that went on pre-conference. | ||
| Marilyn Harding |
Hear Hear!! and an update on the Council please | ||
| Minta WInn |
As I was unable to get to the Conference like many others, would it be possible to have a resume of what was covered and discussed, maybe someone has some time to put this togethre and have it posted on the web; many thanks |