A show jumping venue in the South-West claims it has been forced to close byproposed changes to the way the sport is funded.
Wendy Spiller of Exeter Equestrian Centre in Devon has described controversial proposals by the BSJA to introduce a system of levies which will cost competitors £2 extra per horse and per class as “the final nail in the coffin”.
Mrs Spiller has employed an agent to apply for a change of use on the indoor school and, if granted, the centre will close its doors at the end of the season.
“I have lost all heart,” she said. “Listening to Graham Hudson speak at our annual general meeting of the vast sums of money being spent confirmed my feelings.
“The majority of my customers are grassroots people. I would never be happy collecting a levy from them. There are many aspects of the way the sport is administered that need inspection. Running a viable centre is becoming increasingly difficult. We need help from the BSJA not an order to act as their tax collectors.”
Area representative Peter Rockey said: “This will be a huge loss to my area and also to the whole of region J. Exeter has also provided a variety of classes drawing competitors from a wide area. Closing this venue will leave a large hole.
“There were a lot of heated comments made atour recent AGM. Hopefully, these will be taken on board and put to the executive.”
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