CHAPS or BSPA - is there a huge difference?

[EquestrianFairy]

I want to get my boy and my little 'un registered with one of them so i can do some fun showing etc which i've always wanted to turn my hand to. Is there a big difference? Do people prefer one to the other and why? Thanks.

 

[Eira]

Just register with both

 

[EquestrianFairy]

- i'm not made of money! It'll have to be one or the other, my little 'un needs a passport so i was going to have a passport issued by whichever one got the better votes.

 

[Eira]

CHAPS gets my vote

 

[Joss]

It depends what showing you are wanting to do. I would research shows & then work backwards from there. I got a passport for my Coloured from BSPA just because it was cheaper than CHAPS. I became a Member for a year & never heard a single word from them. NOTHING AT ALL.

So from that experience I would suggest CHAPS might be better.

 

[muffinino]

CHAPS if you want to get to HOYS

T is registered with BSPA as the lady I got him from is a judge for them. They do tend to have more qualifiers in our area, CHAPS are more in England. You may want to check both websites for shows where they have qualifiers before you choose - I know Sunnybank, for example, has a few BSPA qualifiers throughout the year

 

[winchester]

Honest - If you live up North is CHAPS if you live down South its BSPA! But if you fancy doing them all join Both!!!

You will aim to Q for their Champs and BSPA's are held down South and CHAPS are up north so the choice is yours!

 

[FMM]

CHAPS if you want to compete at HOYS qualifiers and BSPA if you want to do RIHS qualifiers. The CHAPS qualifiers are more hotly contested with larger classes and it is far more difficult to qualify for HOYS - only one horse goes through at each show. BSPA RIHS qualifiers allow 2 horses per qualifier through.

The CHAPS championships seem higher profile than the BSPA ones - but that is only going on who wins what - I have never been to either show.

 

[Theresa_F]

CHAPS - do the HOYS Qs, BSPA do RIHS Qs. So this can have a bearing on which you join if only joining one.

If you are South, then there is generally more on for BSPA, their championships are at Keysoe and Addington this year. CHAPS do have stuff in the South, but are more northern based. Their champs are at Grantham

I am with BSPA as being Essex based - they are not as organised as CHAPs, but are a very friendly Association who have given me lots of advice and help. I also have stewarded at the summer champs which was great fun.

I will probably later do CHAPS as well, depending on how Chancer does, but am already doing Trailblazers and Amateur Showing Society this year so really don't have time and money to do a fourth.