First they announce that Roebke’s may not have horse trials to due to scheduling conflicts, and now Roebke’s is for rent. I’m sad because this is the closest horse trial to me and the facilities are absolutely beautiful. Just wondering what is going on.
This was recently posted on their Facebook:
“After months of struggling with Area IV council regarding show dates, Roebkes Run will be making a final decision in January to host recognized shows.”
Why are these nice events being squeezed out? There aren’t enough events in the upper midwest/west to really cause scheduling conflicts, are there? It doesn’t seem like it to those of us who are willing to travel to get to our closest ones.
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I don’t know what’s going on, but Roebke’s just posted that they are renting out the facility and are not holding recognized trials this year. :’( It was the closest horse trial to me. I am so bummed - I now have to drive over 3 hours to a horse trial.
No. Most of Area IV is pretty spread out. There are a few in the KS/MO area that are within a few hours of each other and then the WI/MN some are within a few hours of each other… but those two “sets” of IV are 7-8 hours from each other (most events are concentrated in those clusters). An IL and WI event are really close together and this year those two events are one weekend after the other… but for the most part, no.
This is crazy how many events are getting cancelled.
From FB for those that haven’t had a chance to look (or don’t have an account):
Roebke’s Run I would like everyone know that is choice was made due to the area council has been a struggle to work with. Every date I have requested for 2019 has received an "I think you should go on this date because you will impact a different show with the date you are requesting.) So at the end of the day, our family has said it would be best if we don’t host any more shows.
Area IV response:
Knowing full well that nothing is ever solved on Facebook, your Area Council has not posted in an effort to not create a “he said, she said” environment. However, It has been brought to my attention that there are some serious misunderstandings about the Calendar process in the USEA and Area IV. The 2018 calendar was set a year ago. We, your Area Council, do not set the deadlines. Those deadlines are set by FEI and USEF.
Roebke’s Run asked to change their dates for 2018 to run a week later and back to back with Fox River Valley, after the deadline, but well within the allowed appeal period. Your Area Council, after talking with many interested parties, approved the change for one year and the USEF granted it. Members voiced their disapproval of 2018 schedule with Roebke’s running back to back with FRVPC during the June 2018 Town Hall Meeting . We did take that into account when discussing the 2019 calendar and Roebke’s request to again run back to back with FRVPC horse trial.
The 2019 calendar was due on December 1 to USEA. We had a series of emails and phone calls with organizers and others that led up to that calendar. However, after that date, the USEA announced that the AECs would be very close to us, at the Kentucky Horse Park, in 2019. Therefore, your Area Council decided we would support reasonable changes in dates for affected Area IV horse trials, even if an appeal was necessary. We do not consider the calendar finished for this reason. . We value all of our horse trials and work with the organizers to try to give them the best chance at running successful, well-attended events. This includes the most recent calendar issues so many of you have heard about on social media.
We will explain the calendar process in more detail in an upcoming newsletter, so watch your email. We also will be discussing the calendaring process at the Annual Meeting, so we hope you will join us on February 10 and share your views.
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So sad for midwest eventing 
