MADAM,

I AM writing this as a very disappointed member of the Riding Club. I was honoured to be put forward for an award at our regional awards.

Unfortunately due to work commitments, I cannot attend as I am at the sales in Newmarket which helps me keep my mare on the road. The AIRC is an amateur organisation encouraging good will, fun and fairness. But having apolologised for not been able to attend, I asked could I nominate a fellow club member to collect my award but was met with a very unreasonable regional secretary in Doreen Egan. Under no circumstances would she give me the award and was not open to compromise given my situation. As a new member to the West Midlands Region, it has left me saddened with an organisation that has given me such enjoyment up to now.

Yours etc,

Fiona Doggett

Mill Road Riding Club

Right to reply

AS a region, the West Midlands is committed to encouraging enjoyment and participation in line with the Association’s ethos.

The region holds its End of Year night to encourage people to attend so we can recognise our members and volunteers.

We also like to recognise those who achieved success at National events and we present those who attend this function with a small memento so the region can acknowledge their achievement in a public forum. These riders have already been rewarded for their success at National level within the organisation.

It is unfortunate that the rider cannot attend our event but it is our policy to only give these small mementos to those present, otherwise we would end up with very few taking the trouble to attend.

It is disappointing that this member chose to air her grievance in such a public manner without engaging with the regional committee first about the matter.

Yours etc,

Doreen Egan

West Midlands Regional Secretary