Both Bertram Allen and William Whitaker have addressed the problem of Late-night jumping to Worldofshowjumping. It is a problem for grooms they state. Some years ago we already revealed our thoughts on Late-night showjumping events. However as it seems it is the show organizers who are getting blamed. In our opinion it 's not a matter of who is to be blamed, because there are different parties to be addressed, but rather how to prevent this from happening?
Competitions have evolved into experiences. With reason Bertram Allen states in his word to World Of Showjumping that organizers are the first to be addressed in case of Late-Night showjumping. They decide how many riders can start, and create - together with the FEI - the schedule.
But there's also a reason why quantity has surpassed quality ... the FEI rules are clear, there are restriction on what time a CSI-day can start and when it should be finished, nevertheless organizers expand these timings, why?
It is obvious ... economics. Every organizer needs to make sure his financial plan fits the bill at the end of the show. Riders want better footing for the horses, fixed stables, well maintained parkings, etc. all these demands cost money.
But...
But money - off course - cannot be more important than the welfare of horses and humans (grooms, riders, etc.). Nobody likes long competition days, even not organizers. They are a necessary evil. Further not the grooms, not the riders, not the horse owners and even not the bar keeper enjoys them.
Not to forget the super stars it is all about ... the horses! Also these atletes need a certain structure. Having days that take to long, competing after midnight, might make the horses weaker. In short there are no winners on Late-night competitions.
Alternative ...
Knowing what we know... fixing this issue won't be easy. The solution will need an approval of the FEI, the organizers as well as the riders and in best cases also grooms and horse owners.
The final solution should offer financial certainty for organizers with fewer combinations at the start, implying limitations on the amount of riders that can start in each category. If the prize money needs to be remained as well as the infrastructural demands, the first idea might be lowering the FEI fee?
