The proposal was to consolidate the levels a little so that it wouldn’t be the same levels offered both weekends. I cannot remember exactly how it was proposed but that was th gist of it.
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Happy to hear this. Looks like a nice start getting the Red Hills jumps. Wonderful they will honor Brian and Penny
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I’ve taken a few days to process the decision that was made that, in effec,t will probably put an event that treated all levels of rider with respect out of business. Although I haven’t heard any further news about what VHT will do, I can’t see that event happening now. This is so very sad - for Andy Bowles and his team who has for many years worked so hard and spent so much money to improve the event and for the riders who are being fooled into thinking nothing will change for them . I think this situation, along with the Red Hills debaucle is an example of how the “regular” riders will be treated in the future. The powers- that-be sacrificed the largest and very popular event in the area to provide the upper level riders with another event. Oh - they will claim that there will be something for all but let’s see what they really do for the lower level riders over time. I have to wonder if this was a concerted effort to put both Red Hills and VHT out of business = If I were an event organizer anywhere in the country I would be very, very careful about how much money you spend in the future. Apparently there is no loyalty to you from up high. You are seeing the effect of big money coming into a sport - it pushes out the little guy that supports the sport.
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Well, that would benefit the powers that be wouldn’t it?
Amberley, what opportunities were eliminated? I am very happy to hear that Eventing will continue at VHC.
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And here it is, a few days away from February and still no plans for a host of the Intercollegiate National Championships in May. VHT has the contract and no event approved. I’ve been told VHT will not be hosting the championships. Just a cluster right now.
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This problem isn’t limited to the US. Events in the UK are disappearing from the BE schedule, even big names such as Houghton International, no one knows what is happening with Blenheim Palace. Other events are running but as Unaffiliated. BE has made all kinds of statements about not giving dates to venues running Unaffiliated but that seems to be backfiring badly.
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Here is the Chronicle article;
I understand that there is a lot of frustration on the part of the former organizers of VHT in feeling that their contributions were not appreciated by the powers that be, and I can see the big-picture concern that when organizers aren’t appreciated the sport will suffer, but why are so many acting as though it is a bad thing for the sport that eventing will continue to happen at the VA Horse Center under other management? Is it just the feeling that they (VHC) aren’t getting their comeuppance for their role in souring the relationship with the VHT organizers? Or am I missing something?
I can certainly understand wanting to continue to support the Bowles’ efforts in organizing, but that would have meant additional competitions at Tryon which already has several other dates on the calendar … so granting the dates to their event would have meant more competitions at a venue that already has several others. I can understand wanting to support them out of gratitude for all they did in running VHT over the years, but I don’t know that additional dates at a single big venue is really what the sport needs, either.
What am I missing?
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Glad to see that Brian and Penny will be involved.
Hi, Angela Bowles here. No one including ourselves wanted to see eventing leave the Virginia Horse Center. After my husband moved countries (and I moved states), invested every penny that his parents left him, and worked tirelessly to grow the horse trials, it’s HOW this has all gone down.
I have a lot to say on the matter, none of which will change any outcomes but I will attempt to put the whole situation into words in the next couple of days.
For those who have supported my husband and myself and VHT (with actions as well as words) I truly can’t tell you how much that has meant.
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I will be interested in the response from the prior organizer but in my mind it boils down to good sportsmanship vs big business. This is an example of our sport moving from one to the other. I think what many people are missing is that only a small portion of the sports’ participants will benefit from this move. The prior event placed the lower level rider on the same level of importance as the upper level rider. That is what made it so successful. We will now have an event that “uses” the lower level riders to benefit the upper level riders. I’m not certain anything can be done at this point. We’ve had upper level riders complain for years that they need to make a living…the problem being there are now more and more people with that expectation. To those who keep mentioning the Brian and Penny. Brian is listed as an “honorary” chair of the organizing committee. First, I always saw them being acknowledged and appreciated by Andy Bowles. Second - the two things I saw that Brian indicates he will be glad to see come back are the opening party (we’ve had a pandemic for the past few years) and the bonfire. Is that really what it is about? I don’t think so - I think there are people with more money than morals and to hell with doing what is right. Welcome to the new world of eventing.
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Maybe I’m missing something completely obvious, but how do we know that the new event at VHC doesn’t care about the grassroots and lower level riders and continuing VHT at Tryon would be better for them? The new event at VHC still will be offering down through beginner novice … how do we know at this point that the organizers don’t care about those riders? I feel like it’s commonplace for events to do more promotional stuff for upper level divisions but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s not still a good event for lower level riders.
What outcome of this situation would have been good for lower level riders?
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As a lower level rider who loves competing at VHT, I am thrilled that they are continuing on the event at the location. I also am unsure why you are saying that the new management will just throw aside those in the lower levels. The group they put together sounds incredible, including the course builder. If they removed the lower levels, I could see your point, but it seems pretty mute here. Excited for the future of VHC!
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And here it is. https://eventingnation.com/attention-intercollegiate-eventers-your-championship-will-be-held-at-tryon-may-26-28/. I can’t find any info about levels offered, if this is a USEA recognized event, etc.
The USEA web site says
" 2023 Intercollegiate Eventing Championship to be held at the Tryon International Equestrian Center on May 26–28."
Correct. What levels of competition are being offered? Are they also offering ht entries that are not part of the IEC? I see nothing in the omnibus or on TIEC calendar.
I did find it on TIEC. BN-Intermediate. I wonder why it doesn’t appear in USEA Omnibus?
It’s there, just doesn’t have full info yet. (Don’t know why the link is showing up like that, but if you click the image, takes you to the Omnibus entry).
ETA: I find it annoying how late they’re allowed to post full event info these days. Sometimes it would be useful to know a bit more about the event before the opening day to help in your calendar planning.
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