Bramham - visitor tips?

[RachelFerd]

I'm going to go to Bramham to spectate for the first time this year, but unlike normal where it is just me and the other half, we're taking his brother and sister in law and their little dog (1yr old bichon frise type thing). They know absolutely nothing about horses, but were sold on the idea because there will be lots of dog related trade stands and they can sit down and have a big picnic. Meanwhile I will crack on with walking courses and watching all the horses, leaving them all to enjoy a picnic (hope the sun is out!!)

As I've never been, just wondering if people have any tips/hints for the ideal experience? and also a couple of specific Qs;

1/ best place to set up a picnic with a good view of some xc?
2/ are there any posher than a portaloo toilet facilities? (I couldn't care less - S-i-L is properly a city person)

 

[Vodkagirly]

Both waters have lovely slopes to sit on and watch the action. One is just beside the tradesman.
I've just used the normal porta loos, last year they all seemed pretty good.
Big queues to get in though last year.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

We only take dogs on the Thursday when it is quietest. Then, there are usually plenty of tables and chairs set up around the food stalls and benches around the rings. If the tables are full you could probably sit on the grass. If you go on xc day, Saturday, you can sit by a jump and picnic.

Eta, there are loads of reasonably roomy portaloos.

 

[RachelFerd]

I don't think she's ever used a portaloo before and has a bit of a thing about clean toilets - I'm not going to broach the topic unless I get asked...it is not going to go down well!!

 

[Kaylum]

Take your own food and drink unless you have lots of money.
There are some nicer loos sometimes that aren't the plastic box ones near the trade stands at the top.

 

[Patterdale]

Both waters are great. I’d walk half the course from the big water, have an ice cream and an hour at the far water, then back to the big water by the trade stands to settle for the picnic.

Only I won’t because it clashes with man v horse this year

 

[Kaylum]

Go early if you want to see the trot ups. They are quite good. They are in front of the house.
Get there before 9 or you will be queuing its a long day.
.

 

[HeresHoping]

Bramham is lovely. As others have said; both water jumps are great for picnics. There are benches by the SJ arenas, and bales of straw, too. More loos than you can shake a stick at - and if she really is a stickler, we have some lovely pubs nearby; she can hold it in until then.

 

[beatrice]

There are posher loos if you get members tickets - we tend to find the member tickets worth the money as the seating around the main arena is great.

Although last year, they weren't kept as clean as those in the members parts at Burghley.

 

[RachelFerd]

There are posher loos if you get members tickets - we tend to find the member tickets worth the money as the seating around the main arena is great.

Although last year, they weren't kept as clean as those in the members parts at Burghley.

do they let dogs into the members bit?

 

[Honey08]

Only in the garden, not the undercover bit. We never bothered with membership in ten years of camping there. Especially on Xc day!

The top “plateau” field up near the start/finish is a good place to picnic as you can see a lot of fences at once if you pick the right spot. Out on the Xc dogs will be fine on the Saturday, but the shopping village will be too busy. You’d have to have someone parked somewhere with the dog while the others shopped. And take an empty milk bottle of water round with you and a pop up bowl for the dog, sometimes water points are few and far between, plus I always prefer my dogs not sharing bowls with thousands of other dogs.

Oh and get there really early or you’ll queue. And it starts early at Bramham!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Gates open 7am on the Sat. Is aiming to get there for 8am pushing it re getting stuck in a queue?

 

[RachelFerd]

Gates open 7am on the Sat. Is aiming to get there for 8am pushing it re getting stuck in a queue?

it might be for these particular folks re. getting up early - we are all only an hour's drive away (and we'll be picking them up as they have no car).. I reckon I can convince them to up and away for 8am... arrive at 9 (and probably immediately start queueing)

 

[Kaylum]

No 8 will be early there isn't much open at that time. Trade stands open about 9.

 

[neddy man]

Take a pair of binoculars for use while having your picnic. And lots of money for the trade stands ( trade stands are also open 4pm till 8pm on the Friday, with no admission charges for people who aren't going for xc etc.) as others have said good viewing at s&f and 2 water complexes, plus xc on the big screen by the 2 arenas (showjumping in 1 ponyclub etc in 2nd. ) undulating xc walk is not difficult or exhausting, and always good viewing access, car park is short walk to the course and exit from the ground is usually v ery good. ENJOY.=====Have you bought your tickets? If not buy NOW save £5 per ticket and £5 on parking as against at the gate prices.

 

[RHM]

Both waters are great picnic spots but the one by the entrance gets busier. However, for non horsey spectators that’s the one they will prefer as there is usually a massive drop into the water so a bit more entertaining. And, it’s closer to the shopping for them.

It’s great, you will have the best time. The shopping is busy but with a small dog like that I’m sure they could carry her and your right there is a good range of dog stands.

Enjoy! I will be there too, hopefully soaking up the sun!

 

[beatrice]

do they let dogs into the members bit?

I haven't taken dogs but when i was there, they allowed dogs in covered seating but not inside.

 

[Boulty]

There’s decent loos up by the house (basically up behind the main food stand area / near where they do the trot up). They’re not normally too busy as they’re a tad out of the way so don’t think super loads of people know they’re there.

Dogs can’t go inside the covered members bit but can go in the outside bit with the tables.

The “main” water fence is a great picnic spot as it’s at the bottom of a hill so you can get a pretty good view even if you’re set back a bit.

I’ve found it a fairly dog friendly event but would probably avoid the tradestands Sat & Sun with one to avoid them getting stepped on (Thur & Fri tend to be much less stressful shopping days)

Slightly gutted that I won’t be going this year as clashes with a TREC comp I’m doing & I’ve left it too late to get the Thursday off work to go then

 

[Tiddlypom]

Bah humbug, I've been struggling with a low level virus and have now got to admit that I'm not going to be up to spectating at Bramham tomorrow. Gutted . Struggling with Horse and Country TV at home and the dreaded whirly wheel it will be instead.

Up for grabs are 1 x car pass and 2 x adult admission tickets for tomorrow (Saturday) only, bought in advance at early bird prices for £66.50. On the gate prices are higher.



Not trying to sell them as such, but is anyone interested in taking them on in return for a donation of, say, £50 to a worthy charity? Maybe the RDA?

 

[RachelFerd]

Bah humbug, I've been struggling with a low level virus and have now got to admit that I'm not going to be up to spectating at Bramham tomorrow. Gutted . Struggling with Horse and Country TV at home and the dreaded whirly wheel it will be instead.

Up for grabs are 1 x car pass and 2 x adult admission tickets for tomorrow (Saturday) only, bought in advance at early bird prices for £66.50. On the gate prices are higher.

View attachment 115412

Not trying to sell them as such, but is anyone interested in taking them on in return for a donation of, say, £50 to a worthy charity? Maybe the RDA?

Definitely keen - i'll PM you.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Watching at home on Horse and country tv wasn't the same as attending in person, but I have to say the coverage wasn't bad.

If anyone wondered how the competitor in the under 25 CCI 4* L who had a horrible horse fall is, thankfully today there's an upbeat update in H&H news. She is still in hospital with a fractured pelvis, but is expecting to make a full recovery. The horse is ok.

‘Recovery will be long but I’m feeling optimistic’: young eventer fractures pelvis in cross-country fall

A young eventer has said she is feeling “optimistic” as she recovers from a fractured pelvis sustained in a fall at Bramham Horse Trials (6-11 June). Imo Brook, 23, was competing in the under-25 CCI4*-L section on her parents’ 14-year-old gelding San Solo, when they had a fall across country...

www.horseandhound.co.uk

 

[RachelFerd]

Watching at home on Horse and country tv wasn't the same as attending in person, but I have to say the coverage wasn't bad.

If anyone wondered how the competitor in the under 25 CCI 4* L who had a horrible horse fall is, thankfully today there's an upbeat update in H&H news. She is still in hospital with a fractured pelvis, but is expecting to make a full recovery. The horse is ok.

‘Recovery will be long but I’m feeling optimistic’: young eventer fractures pelvis in cross-country fall

A young eventer has said she is feeling “optimistic” as she recovers from a fractured pelvis sustained in a fall at Bramham Horse Trials (6-11 June). Imo Brook, 23, was competing in the under-25 CCI4*-L section on her parents’ 14-year-old gelding San Solo, when they had a fall across country...

www.horseandhound.co.uk

I've also caught up with the coverage on H&C after being there in person - always interesting to have seen the jumps 'in the flesh' as well as on the TV. I'm glad to hear that Imo is expected to make a full recovery - was a very hard fall.

 

[HeresHoping]

Watching at home on Horse and country tv wasn't the same as attending in person, but I have to say the coverage wasn't bad.

If anyone wondered how the competitor in the under 25 CCI 4* L who had a horrible horse fall is, thankfully today there's an upbeat update in H&H news. She is still in hospital with a fractured pelvis, but is expecting to make a full recovery. The horse is ok.

‘Recovery will be long but I’m feeling optimistic’: young eventer fractures pelvis in cross-country fall

A young eventer has said she is feeling “optimistic” as she recovers from a fractured pelvis sustained in a fall at Bramham Horse Trials (6-11 June). Imo Brook, 23, was competing in the under-25 CCI4*-L section on her parents’ 14-year-old gelding San Solo, when they had a fall across country...

www.horseandhound.co.uk

Oh, thank you. I've been watching out for this. I watched her fall. I don't know how Solo didn't actually break his neck. And her, either, actually, as he literally hammered her head first into the ground.