Frequently Asked Questions & Some Special Requests (some of these are humorous)

Question: When are the scores going to be posted? When are the final results going to be posted?

Answer: This is the question that is asked the most at our events and probably at every other event in the country. While we can appreciate the competitors wanting to get on the road and get home please understand that the scorers are working as fast as possible calculating the scores. Two things slow down the processing of scores. One is when a rider is going out of order in his/her section of a division and the other is when a competitor has a scoring question about a time fault or a jumping fault. For example, on cross country day, if a competitor has a conflict because they are riding two or more horses, they may ride one horse earlier or later in the division with permission from the starters. We really would like them to ride earlier in the division. If they ride later in a division, the result of this change is that their score sheet from cross country may not be in with all the others in their division. Consequently, the division is held up until that score sheet comes in. 

Regarding scoring questions such as competitors getting jumping penalties which they feel they did not incur. Please ask your questions and voice your concerns. But please do not come storming in with a major attitude. The scorers will work with you to find out the answer but it might take some time.

Question: Do you mail ribbons?

Answer: We prefer that you pick up your ribbon when the division is final or that you have a buddy who lives near you pick it up. However, if that is not possible, we will mail your ribbon if you let the secretary know your name and address before you leave the show. We have manila envelopes at the Secretary's Office which you can fill out with your name and address, then put $1.00 in the envelope for postage and handling and write what it is you want mailed on the inside flap of the envelope. Or, if you send a $.55 stamped, self-addressed small manila envelope we will mail you your ribbon.

Question: Do you mail us our dressage tests?

Answer: The same goes with the dressage test as with the ribbons. You can pick up your dressage test from the secretary's office during the event but we will not mail out all the ones that were not picked up unless instructed.

Question: Why do you charge $20 for a pinney deposit?

Answer: Some competitors like souvenirs and some are just forgetful. But here's what happens when the organizer and secretary are scheduling an event and there are missing pinnies in a sequence. It really messes up your scheduling to have to always be checking a list to see that pinney #53 and #220 are missing. Also, you cannot just order a new two new pinneys from Reliable Racing. You have to order in groups of 10. That means that we would have to have 10 missing pinnies before we could order replacements. This makes us very cranky! So, please remember to return your pinnies and you will get your pinney deposit back.

Question: Regarding refunds. We give refunds minus the office fee to people who scratch their horses before the closing date. For competitors who scratch after the closing date, there are no refunds. Almost everyone who scratches after the closing date has a reason why they think they deserve a refund -- horse got injured, rider got injured etc. By the time the closing date has come, we have already spent the money from entries fees received on the event building jumps, ordering ribbons, prizes etc. -- all the necessary expenses attached with running an event. We will however, write a donation letter for the competitor saying that the competitor (or owner) has donated their entry fees if they so desire. The week of the event we will also allow competitors to substitute horses or riders for that horse or rider that cannot compete as long as the horse or rider is in the same division. There is a $25 change charge for this. Event Cancellation: Regarding refunds if the event is cancelled: We will not refund entry fees if the event is cancelled.

Question: What is the difference between in the Starter Horse Trials between, for example, Elementary Horse 1A or Elementary Rider 1B? Just imagine Bruce Davidson having an elementary horse. He would put it in Elementary Horse not Elementary Rider. Generally, we put all the competitors who are under 21 in the Rider divisions. 

Special Request Questions: (some of these are humorous)

Question: Can you schedule me late in the day because I go to school and have classes until 2 p.m.

Answer: We try to schedule all the Young Riders in the afternoon so that they won't be missing too much school.

Question: Can you schedule me last in my division and can you schedule that division to go last in the day, I have to work as a bartender until 3 a.m.?

Answer: Hey, get a grip. Get someone to substitute bartending for you if you are going compete in horse trials. 

Question: My friend and I are trailering together. Can we be scheduled together. Her horse is in elementary and mine is in training.

Answer: This question is asked all the time. Or the opposite: we are trailering together and need to help each other out so can we be scheduled as far apart as possible. Seriously though, we will make every effort to accommodate scheduling requests, but it all depends on the numbers of entries that we have at the different levels. 

Question: Can you please not stable me next to so and so, we have broken up and I cannot stand him.

Answer: Although they were an item on opening date, they obviously are no longer in love about 3 weeks later. We make every effort to accommodate the competitors.

to be continued