As of December 17 2001, no reply has been received from the BHRC, but the December Calendar contains the following note from the Council meeting of September 11
“Letter from TrotBritain. After discussion, the Chairman told members TrotBritain was an organisation of Trotting enthusiasts who were there for the purpose of encouraging the trotting horse, and the BHRC, as the governing body, did not want to be seen to oppose that. He felt that the BHRC should respond to TrotBritian saying the memorandum of understanding was not acceptable to the Council, but the Council would be more than happy to enter into dialogue which would bring some understanding between the two.”

TROTBritain awaited a response which indicated the specific bases on which the Council found its proposal unacceptable. However, at the General Assembly of the UET on 26 January in Paris we found that the Chairman had again written to the UET  seeking  recognition and status within the UET for the BHRC. The letter concludes:

“It is no help to the legitimate governing body in this country, which represents approximately 1000 licence holders , when the UET continues to give credence to Trotbritain, an organisation which has less than 50 members and membership of which is, at present, apparently by invitation only. I do not know whether you have had sight of a draft document put forward by Jack Dowie, purporting to be a Memorandum of Understanding between the BHRC and Trotbritain. I would like to make it clear that this document was put before the Council and Committee of the BHRC and was judged totally unacceptable. The BHRC is not prepared to delegate any of its functions to Trotbritain. I hope you will give this matter your attention and that some progress can be made towards the encouragement of Trotters within British racing.”

The UET simply reaffirmed its blindingly clear position that bodies that organise pacing races are not eligible for membership. TROTBritain members and others are invited to come to their own conclusions. They might ponder how many members the BHRC would have if it was a voluntary organisation. TROTBritain membership is open to anyone who subscribes to the aims of the society but, among others, we have decided that the past Treasurer will not be accepted as a member in view of her past and continuing behavior. That is presumably the reason for that particular snide remark.We await the promised dialogue.
                                                                                                                                                                         back to Memo