Eventing courses
This publication is intended for Valuation Officers. It may contain links to internal resources that are not available through this version.
Eventing (sometimes referred to as horse trials) is a sport that comprehensively tests the all-round ability of both horse and rider. Originally devised as a form of competition for cavalry horses, it draws on the requirements for a top-class officer’s charger: obedience, agility, suppleness, stamina and boldness across country.
These traits are demonstrated in the skill and precision needed for dressage and show-jumping and the flair and courage needed to negotiate the solid, fixed obstacles of a cross-country course.
A top level “Three Day Event” (which probably actually takes place over four days, to provide sufficient time for the dressage element) will be made up of the following tests:
Dressage -
Each movement is designed to test calmness and precision. This is not easy with a fit horse, bursting with energy.
Cross Country -
This originally comprised 4 distinct, but continuous phases:
Phase A - Roads and tracks (3,300 - 4,500 metres)
Phase B - Steeplechase (2,070 – 2,415m + 8 - 12 fences)
Phase C - Roads and Tracks (6,500 - 9,000m)
(Horse inspection)
Phase D - Cross-country obstacles (4,500 – 5,500m + 25 - 30 fences) but following FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) recommendations most events only now run Phase D even at the highest level.
Jumping -
A show-jumping format, in an arena.
However most of the eventing that takes place in the UK is of a more modest standard and is usually confined to one day competitions (“One Day Events”). Whilst retaining the three main tests, they are taken in the order dressage, show jumping and cross-country, with the latter omitting the roads and tracks and steeplechase phases. During a season (spring to early autumn), there may be in the order of 180 such One Day Events across England and Wales, in contrast to barely a handful of Three Day Events. The two largest events in the UK both televised on national television being Badminton (May) and Burghley (September).
There are no changes from the broad principles followed for the 2010 Rating Lists and the approach therefore remains the same.
None at present.
As a matter of pragmatism, if full accounts are not available, the valuer may need to resort to adopting a percentage of gross receipts for the event. Bearing in mind that income levels fluctuate and are very speculative, the percentage to be adopted should be towards the lower end of the Leisure Attractions spectrum, in the 4% to 7% range. Where possible comparison should be made with other courses in both estimating receipts and percentages, but also the number of spectators/ participants and the number of days on which events are held.
See the valuation guidance within ‘RM : S6 : Pt3 : S1085 : Leisure Attractions: Practice Note 1 : 2017
1. Co-ordination Arrangements
Eventing Courses are a Group co-ordination class and as such responsibility for ensuring that the appropriate co-ordination takes place lies with individual Groups. As there is probably no useful rental evidence for this class, it is important that Groups co-ordinate across boundaries, using fully the procedures described in RM Section 6: Part 1 and Practice Note 1 Revaluation 2010.
Special Category Code (SCAT) 214 should be used. As a Group Class the appropriate suffix letter should be G.
In the unlikely event that an eventing course has a rateable value over £25000, they will fall to be dealt with by Specialist Rating Unit -Team 2 Leisure and Licensed Property.
2. Valuation Guidance
As indicated in the main Section, valuations should be based on a Receipts & Expenditure approach. When considering the accounts for a horse trial event, great care should be taken to ensure that the receipts being considered do only relate to the specific undertaking being considered.
As a matter of pragmatism, if full accounts are not available, the caseworker may need to resort to adopting a percentage of gross receipts for the event. Bearing in mind that income levels fluctuate and are very speculative, the percentage to be adopted should be towards the lower end of the Tourist Attractions spectrum, in the 4% to 7% range. Where possible comparison should be made with other courses in both estimating receipts and percentages, but also the number of spectators/ participants and the number of days on which events are held.
3. IT Support
The development a new facility on the Non Bulk Server (NBS) should enable input of factual data to achieve valuations that follow the recommended approach for this type of leisure attraction. All valuations should be entered onto the NBS under the relevant Scat Code.