NON-RETURNED CUPS ...what can I do???

[dun4u]

Every year our show present 53 cups and trophies to each and every winner of every class and also to every champion. As we were having a problem getting them returned in time for the following year we introduced a £10 deposit which was returnable as soon as the cup was brought back. That didn't work.

The following year we asked every winner not to take the cup if they thought that they wouldn't be able to return it. First prize is £10 anyway so they could keep the money instead. Some of them come from the other side of the country which does make it difficult.

This year, with only 2 weeks to go, we still have 10 trophies which haven't been returned. Some of them are lovely big cups with names on them that go back to the fifties. These competitors all completed and signed their entry forms, together with tel numbers, when they first entered. They also signed for the cups when presented with them.


Now, after several letters and many un-answered phone calls we still are missing these ten. Many of these tel numbers don't exist.
Other than driving 40 or 50 miles and knocking on their door what are we supposed to do? It makes me soooooo angry!!!! IMO these people are criminals. I don't think they had any intention of returning them in the first place.

Does anyone know Julie Pearson from Oxfordshire? She won the P(UK) Brineton Riding Pony Class.

or Fiona Bricknell from Witney - won the Coloured Class.

[julie]

Other than increasing the deposit to something like £25 to make their eyes water I can't think of anything - why do people do this? Another hate of mine is when you do win a cup the previous winners havent bothered to put their name on - when you get an "old" cup its fascinating to see and remember ponies and riders from yesteryear....It must be a nightmare and very upsetting when lovely ones are lost. I do hope the missing ones turn up - and it makes you wonder, other than putting roses in them what do people do with them? Somehow I cant see cleaning them being a bit priority!!

[dun4u]

Many readers on here and other horsey chat-rooms have suggested naming & shaming
so here goes:-

Stuart Scholes Intermediate Jumping Bampton, Oxon

Mr ? Lyford Open Jumping & Pairs Jumping Witney, Oxon

Julie Pearson P(UK) Brineton Show Pony Brize Norton, Oxon

Jade Hawker Working Hunter Pony KENT

Sally Harte Family Pony Islip, Oxon

Miss ? Arlock Coloured Horse or Pony Witney, Oxon

Pheona Bricknell Odd-Coloured Horse or Pony Witney, Oxon


Vicky Clifford-Jones Youngstock Abingdon, Oxon.


If you recognise any of these people just let them know, please!!!