Event marred

Press, 21 November 1987, Page 22

Event marred

Sir,—My daughter was the first competitor in the Branston Cup Unity Competition at the Royal Show. For the duration of the judging, four men with a tractor and metal trailer were in the arena picking up loose stones. The sight of the tractor and the noise of the stones hitting the trailer were enough to upset the most placid pony. The lack of consideration to horse and rider was very disappointing. Why did the association not have this work done before commencement of the competition. Also, I do not know why they had international judges as the competitors were only three to four minutes in the arena, without being asked to dismount or lead out I suggest a visit to any pony club show to see how unity competition is carried out. In future we will keep to pony club shows.—Yours, etc., ARTHUR BEARDSLEY. November 12, 1987.

[The chief executive of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Mr N. ,M. Woods, replies: “The stones which appeared in the west ring during the Royal Show had been brought to the surface by the many horses which had used the area for exercising earlier in the week. At the request of exhibitors, a tractor and trailer were sent there to try and clear the stones away. We apologise for the inconvenience caused to exhibitors but this is a new area and the problem was not foreseen. I have spoken with experienced stewards who were working in the west ring and they are of the opinion that the tractor was causing no more problem than other activities in the vicinity. It is also pointed out that judges would take into account any interference caused by activities which were beyond the control of exhibitors. The time factor govefc how the event is judged, and each rider is judged individually; When international

judges are participating at the show, we try to use them as much as possible to make their visit worth while. Incidentally, the overseas judges all paid their own travel costs and the association is most appreciative of their interest in the Canterbury Show.”]