Spotlight on BE ballot rules
14 February 2002
A loophole in British Eventing’s ballot system has caused heated debate between competitors and organisers
Oasby Horse Trials organisers Stuart and Anna Buntine have apparently found a loophole in the balloting rules, which has prompted them to offer competitors a guaranteed entry.
A circular letter sent out to BE members in the region stated: “If you find or become a sponsor to the value of £100, or put aside a day of your time to help at Oasby, Lambley or Osberton Horse Trials, we will ensure that you will escape the ballot at all three”.
Stuart Buntine defended the letter, saying: “Nowhere did we say we would ballot out people who don’t help. I’m not giving any financial incentive whatsoever and if people help they should be able to expect to get a run.”
“This initiative is not against the rules as such,” admitted BE’s sport and technical manager Tim Hadaway, “but it is not in the spirit of our sport.”
The issue has highlighted the ongoing problem events face in finding enough volunteers to run them.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Read full story in this week’s Horse & Hound (14 February 2002), or click here to subscribe and enjoy Horse & Hound delivered to your door every week.
- Click here for expert advice on getting started in affiliated eventing.
- Click here to check out our online guide to eventing fixtures during 2002.Alternatively contact (tel: 020 8503 0588) to purchase the 17 January back issue of Horse & Hound, which includes a wall chart containing eventing dates for 2002.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
