Prize money

[Cherrytop & Spicery Stud]

Has anyone read today H&H about prize money (page 4)

And the new transport thing on page 35

Realy important Do read

[armada]

I made loads of phone calls to various government depts about this and posted the statements made by defra and vosa on a previous thread on here. I also emailed OHTO and was told as amateurs we were not required to be in possession of an operators licence. I emailed them in response stating the conflicting information I had been given by the above two govt authorities and received no reply. Defra were very keen to piont out that our own animals kept as 'pets' and not used to earn a living, and MAY POSSIBLY gain small amounts of prize money, do not fall into this category, neither do you need a Defra Authorisation. I was advised that if I were to transport more animals than I had helpers for ie; four horses and myself as driver and one groom, we could be in contravention of the law as now, you need to have one responsible person per transported horse UNLESS you have a Defra Authrisation - then apparently you can have your 4 horses and just you. He (Ben at the Defra dept whose number is on their website) suggested getting one anyway as they are free, and you have covered your back just in case. I will be applying for the Defra Authorisation but will not be applying for an O licence, as I neither earn a living from my own or anybody elses horses. The winnings for the three ponies we showed in hand in 2006 totalled #113, and for 2005 totalled #97, that covers my road tax for one year, nothing else. I cant see any judge in the land, however crusty agreeing that those paltry sums constitute a commercial enterprise.

[Cherrytop & Spicery Stud]

That covers most of that. But we breed as do many on here
and one with a Stud Prefix needs to read up.

Also transporter authorisation forms need to be off befor jan 1st.

[armada]

So do we, but we are not a public stud, we keep only two brood mares, and no stallion, it does'nt neccesarily mean you are a commercial enterprise because you have a prefix, our mares and their offspring are pets and are sold privately, not as part of a going concern. We have one foal to sell next year, I would again argue the very valid point that this hardly constitutes a living. I can always ring Ben back and ask him about that, he was very helpful, and he also said that they are likely to extend the deadline for Authorisation as there is not enough time for people to get organised (when I spoke to him about a month ago the forms had not even been submitted in final format) because as usual, they are behind schedule!!

[girly]

Please could you point me in the direction of the Authorisation forms as I have been unable to find them on the DEFRA web site.

Even if you have a stallion you would have to prove that you were running a business. A business is set up to make a profit. I don't think that would actually apply to most people on here with the possible exception of people who produce ponies for clients and are paid to do so.

[natmidd]

I have just been on the defra website and if you type in www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare the form is easy to find on that page. I still don't quite get it though. I have my own lorry and next year I will be transporting no more than 2 ponies (one which is on lease and the other I ride for my friend). I will be having no financial gain for showing these ponies apart from the prize money (if I win any!) Does that mean I need to apply for authorization?

[armada]

To be on the safe side nat, yes especially if you are travelling them by yourself with no groom. It just covers you in case there is any check at a show or on the road.

[notcovering costs]

Prize money!!! We had a fab season this year with 2 ponies. Qual Hoys and RIHS. Both ponies were consistently in the ribbons/prize money.....If we relied on our prize money however, we couldn't actually afford the entry fees and could only compete if the show was in hacking distance as this would not cover diesel either............

[Trucker]

notcovering said:

Prize money!!! We had a fab season this year with 2 ponies. Qual Hoys and RIHS. Both ponies were consistently in the ribbons/prize money.....If we relied on our prize money however, we couldn't actually afford the entry fees and could only compete if the show was in hacking distance as this would not cover diesel either............

I believe that anybody transporting horses or ponies of their own or on behalf of any other person, so long as they are not receiving payment for this service, is exempt from needing an operators licence.

Having a family haulage firm i can only suggest that proffessionals find another way of charging for travelling clients animals. An operators licence is an absolute nightmare, if you thought that it was expensive as it is, then an operators licence would make it completely prohibitive.

With reference to the studs, if this is not your main source of income & the stud is not set up as a registered business with a VAT number then i do not think you have anything to worry about.

[natmidd]

Thanks armada. I am going to apply for one

[girly]

I phoned DEFRA helpline and was told that if it was a hobby, ie non profit making, we are exempt from needing a certificate. The one handler per animal would also not apply.

[julie]

It would not apply to individuals who ride for pleasure who transport their own horses, or to individuals taking their own pets on holiday.
This is lifted from the Defra link mentioned earlier so surely this applies to the majority of us?

[not logged in]

No it would not apply to the majority. I attended a meeting last week and i also received that information. It will apply to pro yards though. It all contradicts itself a bit i was very confused after that 3 hour meeting!