MFHA Team Chase Committee Meeting
December 2009
Matters for Posting on Website Summary

1. Stewards.  Proper role of Stewards at individual events was again emphasised.
   
   
2. Open Teams.  Only about 10-12 Open teams are currently and regularly competing, which is of concern.
   
   
3. Intermediate Events.  Need for more Intermediate and Novice Events particularly in Spring and especially in April.  Currently little extra room for further Open classes at Events.
   
   
4. Autumn Dates.  A programme of autumn dates for 2010 was discussed and the Secretary is currently discussing these dates with individual organisers.  A list will be posted when these dates have been agreed with organisers.
   
   
5. National Sponsors.  Very grateful thanks were given to our national sponsors, Chesterton Humberts, whose initial contract finishes in 2010, and a sub-committee of three was set up to take forward this sponsorship to the next stage and report back to the Committee.
   
   
6. PR.  It was agreed to appoint a part-time PR consultant to advise on certain aspects of the sport, and a sub-committee was appointed to arrange this.  The importance of retaining 12-14 Open classes each season, to showcase the sport, was highlighted.
   
   
7. Team Chase Committee Chairman.  James Buckle was unanimously elected to succeed Joe Cowen as chairman at the conclusion of the 2010 AGM.
   
   
8. Team Chase Website.  Philip Cowen was appointed to discuss possible development of the website with Mick Hawkins, on behalf of the Committee.  The virtual course walk facility should be further encouraged for use by Events.
   
   
9. Courses.  Some concern had been expressed about the inconsistency in the size of fences at the Bicester, which did not create a flowing track.  There was also some discussion about minor individual aspects of some other Events.  The course inspection team under Netty Nevill were empowered to discuss these matters with the individual Events concerned.
   
   
10. Course Inspection.  The additional fee for a re-inspection for any course not fully ready at the pre-arranged time of the first inspection – as had happened on at least one occasion this year – was increased to £100, as a further visit would be necessary to ensure all recommendations had been properly carried out.
    
    
11. The Levy.  This will continue at the same rate for all teams at all levels (still to be collected by Events from competing teams and thus added to team entry fees).  Proceeds of the levy to be used for increasing national sponsorship of Events holding an Open Qualifier to £1,000 per Event from September 2009 (to help defray course construction costs for Open courses), to help pay for proposed part-time P.R. consultant for sport, and to help defray costs of seeking more overall national sponsorship.
    
    
12. Order of Merit.  There was no Order of Merit competition in 2008-09.  A small sub-committee was formed to set up such a competition for 2009-10, which George Goring has generously agreed to sponsor; this competition would run for 12 months with its climax at the Cotswold in 2010 and would be based largely on Intermediate classes, to encourage a step ladder in the sport up to Open level.
    
    
13. Colours.  The importance of riders wearing the correct advertised colour bib (as shown in programme), to assist the commentator and spectators, was emphasised and should be more rigorously enforced by Events.
    
    
14. Safety.  Various safety measures were discussed and local Stewards empowered to be vigilant and take any necessary actions on such matters.
    
    
15. On-course Betting.  A preliminary report was received, but the matter was very complicated especially in regard to statutory requirements and regulation, so the matter was deferred for the present.
    
    
16. Agri-environment Schemes.  Some courses are encountering problems with DEFRA agri environment schemes and the conditions for these for landowners.  A small sub-committee was set up to monitor any problems.
    
    
17. Rules.  Organisers should include the MFHA Rules in their programme, or at the very least a notice  to the effect that the Event is run under such Rules (a copy of which must be available at the Secretary’s tent).
    
    
18. AGM.  The AGM will again take place at Cheltenham Racecourse on the afternoon of Wednesday, 5th May, 2010.