Rider FAQ

Topics covered:

What is Showdiary?
Showdiary is a free locating and booking service for equestrian shows around the UK and Eire.

Is Showdiary responsible for my booking?
No. Showdiary is like a multimedia equestrian newspaper. We are just carrying the show organiser’s advert for their show. Your booking form is held on-line until downloaded by the organiser. Showdiary is not responsible for any inaccuracies or withdrawal of any events. Please advise us of any mishaps by emailing to complaints@showdiary.co.uk . We may wish to withdraw an event from the site under certain circumstances.

Am I charged a booking fee?
No. The site is totally free for entrants and organisers.

How does Showdiary make money?
Showdiary is totally financed by Charles Owen & Co.(Bow) Ltd. of Wrexham. As the Charles Owen brand is used by so many competitors, it is our way of saying "Thank you". We are also supporting the overworked and under resourced show organisers by advertising their event. The easier it is to attract riders to a show, the more shows will run and so our beloved sport will grow.

How do I book?
On the page with the map of the UK and Eire, try pressing the Demo tab under the Showdiary banner. Still on this page, select a discipline, a group (if required), the date range you wish to see, the region of interest ( the map will show the area covered by each region). Check the weekend classes only box if you only want to see classes run at weekends. Check the horse, pony, senior, junior boxes to correspond with the rider and the mount. You must choose at least one rider and one mount, but you can check 3 or all 4 boxes. Classes that allow both senior and junior entrants will show when only one type of rider has been checked. Press search .
Your selection criteria will be shown at the top of the screen. A selection of classes that fits your choices will be listed in date order. For further info about the show and its conditions of entry, click the info & rules button next to the class. To see the geographical location of the show, click the map button.(Return by closing the window). To enter a class, click see rest of show .
All the classes for the rest of the show will be listed in time and date order with your first selected class at the top. Select any other classes you wish to enter by clicking on the select button. To deselect a class selected, press the deselect button. Only 20 classes will be shown per page. At the bottom of the list, press next 20 button for the next 20 classes to be shown . You can browse the pages as many times as you like, selecting and deselecting classes. To see just your selection or when you have finished selecting, press the show selected button at the bottom of the page.
A list of the classes selected will be shown. You may deselect or reselect any classes you wish, or return to the full listing of available classes by pressing showall . Press next to continue .
A list of the classes selected will be shown with a form to enter the rider details. All boxes are required and a valid email address is needed to advise you of any changes to your booking. Press next [submit] to continue.
A list of the classes selected with your rider details will be shown. Press update to change your details or press next to continue .
A form to enter your horse details will be shown. (Showdiary allows more than one horse per rider details of how to do this are provided at the end.) All boxes are required. Enter "not known" if necessary. Press next to continue.
A list of horses registered on Showdiary for you are shown. Select one and press next to continue.
The horse details of your horse will be shown. If these require amendment, press update or continue with next. If you will entering two or more horses, you will be given that choice at the end.
If membership numbers or registration details are required, boxes will appear at the top of the form. If you wish to send a message with your entry form, enter here. Read the conditions of entry and press I agree only if you are prepared to accept these conditions.
Choose a method of payment that is available. Many organisers only accept cheques and this option will only be shown.
For payment by cheque, please check the summary of the classes entered, your details, your horse details. If anything is wrong, repeatedly use the back tab under the Showdiary banner to return to the update screen required.. When you press confirm, you will be entered for the classes shown electronically. NO changes to your entry can made after pressing the confirm button . The form will reappear ready addressed to the organiser. Print the form off twice, sign and send off one with a cheque attached for the correct fees. If early entry discounts or membership discounts are available, they will be shown on the form. NB Some organisers will only accept entries upon receipt of the cheque.
For payment by credit or debit card (if available for your chosen show), click either credit card or debit card buttons. Enter the card details and press next .Please check the summary of the classes entered, your details, your horse details and payment details. If anything is wrong, repeatedly use the back tab under the Showdiary banner to return to the update screen required. When you press confirm, you will be entered for the classes shown electronically. NO changes to your entry can made after pressing the confirm button .
Print the entry form for your records. Nothing else is required for your booking. NB Credit / Debit card details are held on a secure server which can only be accessed by the organiser on a secure link. No details are ever emailed. Your cards are not checked by Showdiary for validity .
To finish booking this show, press do another search and you will return to the map of the UK and Eire .If you wish to enter a second horse press enter another horse. You will see a list of classes for the show you have booked with all the classes deselected. Select the classes required for your second horse. All rider details will be remembered .Add your second horse details when asked to select a horse by pressing add a horse . You will need to reenter your payment details as for security these are not remembered.

How do I Book 2 horses?
If you wish to enter a second horse press enter another horse after entering your payment details for the first horse. You will see a list of classes for the show you have booked with all the classes deselected. Select the classes required for your second horse. All rider details will be remembered .Add your second horse details when asked to select a horse by pressing add a horse . You will need to reenter your payment details as for security these are not remembered.

Can I book an event for somebody else?
 No. The conditions of entry need to read and agreed by the rider upon booking. The rider details are password protected.

When is my booking confirmed?
This is a very new and leading edge technology. Organisers will be notified of your entry by email, but your details must be downloaded by them on a secure link. Many organisers are unfamiliar with internet technology and we recommend that if you have not heard from the organiser within 7 days before the event, you contact them by phone. See the diary tab for the organiser’s telephone number.

When would my Credit/Debit card be debited?
This will depend upon the organiser. It may be immediately upon submission of your entry form.

How do I take discounts?
If you pay by cheque, check for any early entry or membership discounts on your entry form. If you paid by credit/debit card, the organiser will deduct them for you. Include a note in the message box to remind the organiser.

How can I update or change my entry?
No details can be changed on Showdiary, once the confirm button is pressed. Please contact the organiser direct by phone or email.

I have received an email saying my show has changed, what should I do?
 Any changes made to a class, show or organiser details by the organiser after you have booked, generates an email to you. You can go on-line and examine the class to see the new details or phone the organiser. The change may be major or minor like a correction of a typographical error.

Can I see a list of events entered?
 Click on the diary tab under the Showdiary banner, to see all the events entered using Showdiary. Events that are past will be deleted 30days after the show date.

I haven’t got an email address.
 Your ISP will have supplied you one free of charge. However, you can obtain a free email address by visiting www.hotmail.com. Remember to check it frequently.

My Sport is not listed
 Combined Training and other disciplines may be listed under others. If enough shows are entered, then a new category will be created.

How do I update my own or horse details?
Either wait until your next entry , or enter any class and use the update screens on the entry form. Remember no classes are booked until the confirm button is pressed.

What do I do if I need stabling?
If stabling is available, it will be found under the class info button. Use the message box on the entry form to request it.

How do I know that I have booked a class?
Click on the diary tab under the Showdiary banner. This only shows classes that have been logged as entered.

What if the details on the entry form are wrong?
Contact the organiser direct by letter, telephone or email. Updates to horse or rider details only affect future bookings.

Will my info be passed to anybody else other than the organiser.
Your information is protected by the Data Protection Act. Your info may only be passed to a third party if you have checked the box on your rider details . Your info will only be passed to others if we feel that you would be interested in their information. For example, masterclasses. If you don’t want to receive any news items from Showdiary or Charles Owen, then check both boxes on your rider details. Your details are updated immediately.

If I am unhappy with the booking process, how can I complain?
The first person should be the event organiser. If you feel that Showdiary is not working then email complaints@showdiary.co.uk.

Are my credit card details safe?
Your details are held encrypted on a secure server at an offsite location. They may only be accessed over a secure link by the organiser. We have taken the industry standard precautions to safeguard your details and are probably as safe as details passed over the phone. However, we cannot take any responsibility for a breach of our security or handling by the organiser. You may prefer to submit your details by phone direct to the organiser. Never email your card details. Showdiary nor any associated company will process your submitted card details for any transaction.

I’m organising an event. How do I get a listing?
On the login page, press the Organiser button. Enter your details and class details into the database. Once Showdiary has had a chance to review your details, they will become live. All future entries or changes by you, will be immediately live. Showdiary reserves the right to refuse or withdraw publication of any data relating to a proposed event. Remember no fee is required. You will be notified by email of all entries.

If you have a comment about Showdiary, what should I do?
If you like Showdiary, tell your friends and event organisers. If you have any comments, please send them to comments@showdiary.co.uk . If you have a complaint, please send details to complaints@showdiary.co.uk .

Please note we can not arbitrate in a dispute between rider and event organiser. We will endeavour to deliver your entry, but like the post office, we cannot always guarantee it.