The OEA’s rule of the month – August

Welcome to the OEA’s Rule of the Month, where, with TD Peggy Hambly, we profile key rules of Eventing and keep you up to date on any critical rules changes you need to know about!

Question:

Why you should think twice before asking to have your ride times changed

Peggy’s guidance: 

This is not a rule, but it is something we all need to know and think about.

Let’s say you want to change your start time after times are posted. Doesn’t seem like a

big deal, does it?  Unless, you are the show secretary. That individual has spent hours

and hours making the schedule work. So, while one request is difficult, many are

impossible. They have to create a schedule that works for the show and multiple riders

first. Having you request a change in your time after it’s published may well be

impossible, because while it might seem like a small request from you, it may well

change MANY times, for multiple riders. 

Secretaries understand that riders might also be juggling schedules and responsibilities.

So, it is possible that if you need to ride at a specific time that will work within the

general organization of the show (such as order of divisions), you should make that

request at the same time as when you submit your entry. 

So, bottom line, you must be prepared to ride within the parameters of the show before

you enter. You must make requests prior to or at the time of entry, and you must be

prepared to accept the fact that if they can easily accommodate you they will, but, if it

involves a large change to the day for many, they will not be able to make that change. 

Happy Eventing!