BS Amateur Finals - format? information please

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Leaping

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I have qualified for the amateur finals at Aintree, I have never been before and need to book time off work.
Can anyone tell me what the format is? I have read previous threads on here and it looks like to get to the final on the Sunday (which is all I can see on the BS website at the moment) you need to do a qualification class on the previous days. Is that correct? do all the class heights run on all the days? do you need to be there Wed-Sun? Any rough idea on cost of stabling and class fees?

I would really like to go but need to see if a) can get time off work and b) can afford it!

If anyone who has been before can give me an idea of what its like I would be grateful. I am new to BS and haven't done anything other than normal day shows (not stayed away for BS before).
 
It's a fabulous show and well worth going to. There are 2 qualifying rounds to get to the finals. I think if you jump clear everyday you qualify and also if you come in the top so many you qualify. So a couple of ways to qualify for the final. There are supporting classes to do as well. It has a fantastic atmosphere and the staff at Aintree are just brilliant. Like everything it's not cheap but it's definately worth it for the experience😀
 
Its a really good fun show! Very well run and the facilities at Aintree are fantastic. I havent been for a couple of years but from memory stables are about £70 for the duration with a couple of bags of shavings. You are correct with regards to qualifying again when you get there for the final. Usually there are two chances to qualify over the 5 days, until the schedule comes out you wont know what days your qualifiers are on but usually are a block booking entry fee of about £60 for both and then the finals are i think about £40 or £50 entry fee? The prize money is very good though, hence higher entry fees. There are other classes you can jump over the 5 days, usually a 1m series and a 1.15m series both with a final and in previous years they have had a pairs class and an accumulator. You would have to go for the duration really unless you are local and dont need to stay as the stable is a set amount for the whole show. Hope that helps a little :-)
 
Thank you both for your replies, it does sound like fun. Will wait for schedule to come out to see what time I need to request off work (sadly not local!) and if I have enough leave left! (whether I need to go up Tuesday or Wednesday will make a difference in how feasible it will be!)

Are the classes massive (in number of entries?) Also height of the fences, second rounds were 5cm higher than first rounds, are the finals bigger again or same height as second round courses?
 
There are always a lot in the smaller classes, usually 80+ however the 1.10m is quieter. Its no bigger when you get there in height but the finals are all run under the A10 rule i think
 
Escada2004 said:
There are always a lot in the smaller classes, usually 80+ however the 1.10m is quieter. Its no bigger when you get there in height but the finals are all run under the A10 rule i think
Click to expand...

Thank you, will go find out what rule A10 is (probably a good time to read the rule book!)
 
Another question, is there anywhere to ride other than in the warm up/jumping arena (i.e somewhere to walk off/hack out?)
 
Its a wonderful show and a great experience.
There is a small outdoor surfaced arena outside of the stables that you can exercise in (one of the after race washdown rings I think) but there is nowhere to hack. Although you could in theory hack down the horse walk from the stables to the equestrian centre and back for a leg stretch.
The 85, 105 and 110 qualifying rounds are on the Tuesday and Thursday, the 95, 1m challenge, 1m15 and Veterans are on Wednesday and Saturday. All the finals are on the Sunday. You either qualify for Sunday by getting a top 25 placing or double clear in both qualifiers I believe.
 
Thank you bounce.

Next question, how far are stables from lorries (never been to Aintree, either racecourse or equestrian centre!) and is there anywhere to walk the dogs (at the venue or nearby)?
 
Lorry park is right next to the stable yard. You can walk around the Aintree course I believe.
The walk from the stables down to the equestrian centre is a good 10 minutes. Although they did provide a shuttle car for competitors.
 
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