Draws (and the order thereof)

[Linda]

I have always assumed that a draw literally means just that - names are drawn out of a hat to determine the order of starting. But is this so? Obviously, multiple rides need to be an exception, and I can understand that people on the organising committee should be allowed to schedule themselves in a way that helps them fit in all their other duties, but for the remainder - is it really random? Can people ask for a late dressage time, or is this unfair on those who don't ask?

[Sami Shoaib]

I always wonder about this as I am always in the first 5 or 6 which i hate as the judges are always more harsh on the first few horses until they get their eye in.

I have once asked for a later draw time due to long distance travel and the need for time to plait at the event as it was impossible to do before hand, i was granted this but would never have asked if there had been another possible choice.

I compete at a few local events where the organisers see my name popping up all the time and i am sure it effects where they put me in the draw as my friend who is only starting out is always put at the end. This may be a complete cooincidence but so far its happened about 6 times.

[vince roche]

At major events (CCIs and CICs) draws are usually done using a random number generator (an excel spreadsheet function), with those with multiple rides in 1 class riding at either end in the order determined by the random number.
At lesser national events, the entries secretary normally "plugs in" people with multiple multiple rides first, then multiple rides, then dual rides and then fill in the remaining spaces with single rides, sometimes acceding to requests where possible.
Vince

[Linda]

Thanks Vince.