I paid £s lots to do the wes clinic at Moreton morrel. Unexpectedly having decided to relocate to M/cr at christmas expecting this to then take 6 months. I managed to move house job etc the week of the clinic. Despite having a waiting list of attendees, explaining the circumstances etc, they wouldnt refund my fee or allow me to 'sell'it even at a discount to anyone on the waiting list.

result? I did not attend, no one else had the benifit of my place, I wont wes again and I will stick to British dressage who practical experience tell me are more pragmatic.

Post edited by: alexsmum, at: 2008/08/23 00:23

I too have lost deposits for WES clinics, however the Northern one was not supposed to have been well attended. What I dont understand is that WES want more members, yet constantly penalise their faithfull few with this action. it was not long ago, 2006? AGM, WES announced a huge deposit in their bank, sat there. Why cant this be used to subsidise their training? Instead of hitting the pockets of the people that support them?

Well done on the dressage placing, by the way, are you affiliated?

Thats not good... any WES oficials care to
comment... its a shame people feel put off from western riding. all I can say is keep the faith come to some shows,clinics and have a look.. maybe you could make it to whitchurch on 7 sept for the area 2 show then mon 8 clinic with bob mayhew.

I too couldn't attend a WES clinic at Moreton Morrell some time ago due to unexpected work circumstances and lost all my money although I gave good notice - and despite being tempted to go again I wouldn't as I can't afford to take the risk. I appreciate some expenses have been laid out but to lose all your money seems unfair. A substantial discount off the next year's clinic might go some way to helping out and keeping members on board.

I dotn know if I am glad or not that Im not alone in having lost money . I had actually paid for the whole clinic fee not just the deposit.

What amazed and dissapointed me was that I had recived emails saying the clinic had a waiting list of ten plus so I couldnt really fathom the attitude to a request for me to be able to 'sell' my place.

A real shame as it has given me a real sour taste in my mouth about WES. If I ever do go back to western it will be with British Reining or WHA.

Appynospots Im at unaffiliated level with aspirations to greater things...

What a shame this issue has been raised like this.
1. Why post this almost six months after the event, at a time when all the WES officials are running an absolutely fantastic three day show?
2. The WES clinic paperwork clearly stated that deposits were non-refundable, and the balance was only refunded with vet/doctor's certificate. I too lost a deposit through a lame horse, but I accepted the terms of the clinic booking.
3. Is this forum the right place to raise this, especially as the post title gives no clue as to the content? How can WES be expected to respond? An open discussion would be more appropriate.
4. I understand that the championship show runs at a loss, so members already receive a subsidy. Expecting another subsidy towards training, just because there is money in the bank, seems a little excessive. I doubt that any other equestrian organisation does this.