Apparently meeting was abandoned after 1st race was a walk over due to firm ground......? Bit puzzled as to how ground could suddenly become unraceable 🤪 No mention on pointing web site anyone know anymore?
I have spoken to the Secretary and refunds are being given to those who paid online. Those who paid cash (or card?) on the gate had emails taken and will also be re-imbursed.
Entry fees will be reimbursed too as it is not stated in the Planner that they are not refundable.
The Secretary was in discussion with the PPA to put out a statement regarding the above and anything else that needed stating.
In regard to insurance, it is down to Area policy and a collective decision is made annually as to whether this is affordable due to very high premiums.
There is a compensation scheme available in some cases.
Well, the blessing is certainly in disguise, but one less meeting next year is a very minor step towards a sustainable fixture list and much better we lose those that bite the hand that feeds them and demonstrate contempt for the paying customers!
Does also call into question where the leadership of the sport is now focussed? There is no real evidence of the comms or grass root engagement from the centre moving in a positive direction.
As an aside, is there no longer any collective insurance scheme operated within Areas where Hunts/Clubs pay a premium into a collective pot so postponements within the Area can be partly compensated?
National website.... no mention .. surprising as I thought Paul Miller would be right on this as a basic marketing and customer service issue!
Area Web site just the flat initial announcement no mention of how to get money back!
Cotley PTP web site again no refund info or apologies for inconvenience.... in fact no reference at all to the cancellation. But there is a nice video of people outside the beer tent and queuing for ice creams. So that OK then isn't it?
I understand they held a dogshow (winners had a bottle of Champagne which were not used for the Ptp races) & Parade of Hounds - seems a lot of people will still on the course after 3pm !
sad day for the Cotley (rumor is that that the course is now finnished) it would cost them a lot , with the Vets, doctors , horse ambulance, racecards,PA man etc etc ... all on site
The fixture list has the Seavington meeting at Cotley on 19th April. Would be worth someone with authority clarifying whether that meeting is still planning to go ahead.
The Seavington currently goes ahead but the meeting will be advised as to early information in regards to going with the weather being unseasonably warm over the next week or so.
It's odd that apparently it wasn't hard ground at 8 in the morning when everyone could have been notified and thereby avoid a wasted journey. Furthermore, for some reason it was not possible to provide admission refunds on the day instead one has to apply, in writing, yes, pen and paper, paying postage, writing to "The Secretary" who is neither named in the Racecard nor is his/her address given. I love going to Point to Points, but this complete disregard for the concerns of racegoers is inexcusable and it is therefore no surprise to me that Pointing is dying on its feet.
There were no races as the meeting was called off before the first. The Senior Steward felt that having walked the course again in the morning that the ground was rapidly firming up due to the sun and drying wind. Initially he thought that the open ditch needed to be omitted but on reaching the end of the course led him to question whether the meeting should proceed. On discussion with the other stewards, clerk of the course, senior vet and the course inspector, they collectively decided that the only option was to cancel racing due to their opinion that the ground had changed to hard.
The Senior Steward had telephone conversations with both the Area Chairman and Paul Miller and I asked for it to be put on the pointing website (which I notice has not happened) but this may have been an administrative delay due to the weekend.
I have spoken to the Secretary and refunds are being given to those who paid online. Those who paid cash (or card?) on the gate had emails taken and will also be re-imbursed.
Entry fees will be reimbursed too as it is not stated in the Planner that they are not refundable.
The Secretary was in discussion with the PPA to put out a statement regarding the above and anything else that needed stating.
In regard to insurance, it is down to Area policy and a collective decision is made annually as to whether this is affordable due to very high premiums.
There is a compensation scheme available in some cases.
2 Meetings would be lost if the Seavington can not find another venue?
with little or no chance of changing venue (Easter Saturday) - did they run at Stafford Cross when they lost Little Windsor? a few years back
Well, the blessing is certainly in disguise, but one less meeting next year is a very minor step towards a sustainable fixture list and much better we lose those that bite the hand that feeds them and demonstrate contempt for the paying customers!
Does also call into question where the leadership of the sport is now focussed? There is no real evidence of the comms or grass root engagement from the centre moving in a positive direction.
As an aside, is there no longer any collective insurance scheme operated within Areas where Hunts/Clubs pay a premium into a collective pot so postponements within the Area can be partly compensated?
Or is that another casualty along the way?
So 24hrs on
National website.... no mention .. surprising as I thought Paul Miller would be right on this as a basic marketing and customer service issue!
Area Web site just the flat initial announcement no mention of how to get money back!
Cotley PTP web site again no refund info or apologies for inconvenience.... in fact no reference at all to the cancellation. But there is a nice video of people outside the beer tent and queuing for ice creams. So that OK then isn't it?
I understand they held a dogshow (winners had a bottle of Champagne which were not used for the Ptp races) & Parade of Hounds - seems a lot of people will still on the course after 3pm !
sad day for the Cotley (rumor is that that the course is now finnished) it would cost them a lot , with the Vets, doctors , horse ambulance, racecards,PA man etc etc ... all on site
It's odd that apparently it wasn't hard ground at 8 in the morning when everyone could have been notified and thereby avoid a wasted journey. Furthermore, for some reason it was not possible to provide admission refunds on the day instead one has to apply, in writing, yes, pen and paper, paying postage, writing to "The Secretary" who is neither named in the Racecard nor is his/her address given. I love going to Point to Points, but this complete disregard for the concerns of racegoers is inexcusable and it is therefore no surprise to me that Pointing is dying on its feet.
There were no races as the meeting was called off before the first. The Senior Steward felt that having walked the course again in the morning that the ground was rapidly firming up due to the sun and drying wind. Initially he thought that the open ditch needed to be omitted but on reaching the end of the course led him to question whether the meeting should proceed. On discussion with the other stewards, clerk of the course, senior vet and the course inspector, they collectively decided that the only option was to cancel racing due to their opinion that the ground had changed to hard.
The Senior Steward had telephone conversations with both the Area Chairman and Paul Miller and I asked for it to be put on the pointing website (which I notice has not happened) but this may have been an administrative delay due to the weekend.