children welcome as spectators at events?

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arry

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Wondering what your thoughts are on children at events?

Had a horrible experience at burghley trot up today so wondering if people think preschoolers at events are acceptable?
 
It depends on the child. I was a nanny for a little girl of about 17 months. While at Hickstead my dressage mad friend wanted to watch but I could tell she didn't want litl'un there too. I said she would eat dinner whilst watching and be fine and she was. Not one noise or squeak at eating a semi cold baked potato whilst strapped in a buggy having to be quiet. I knew she would behave, or I wouldn't have even contemplated taking her in. On the way out a steward commented how nice it was to have a well behaved child in.
 
i often take my toddler to shows/events with me and always have including the paralympic dressage. However i take things to keep her entertained and if she gets bored/whiney i take her out/away.

I think aslong as the parents are responsible theres no problem.
 
arry said:
Had a horrible experience at burghley trot up today so wondering if people think preschoolers at events are acceptable?
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you cant say this then not tell us!!!!
but as others have said...depends on the child... some adults are loud/ give irritattingly wrong commentary!!!!
 
You see it at local events too, the majority of well behaved little 'uns who you hardly notice - but then the few monsters yanking on the ropes around the ring - or the occasional downright dangerous one running around unsupervised behind the horses.
I've got no issue whatsoever if they are well behaved and the parents are sensible too!
 
There was a screaming child at burghley trot up today, felt for th parents but they needed to take her out way sooner... It's rude not too IMO.
 
Mine are pretty well behaved, but wouldnt take them to dressage or showjumping as they wouldnt sit still long enough and its not fair.
However for the trot up they sit reasonably well, but fidget a bit and whisper when excited.

The amount of attitude i got for even sitting down with children was so awful, any time they moved i got glared at until i left in tears.
Puts me off going for the rest of the event even though we all love burghley
 
Depends on the event - if it involves lots of moving/walking and outside I see no issue (as long as they're supervised and don't end up on course like I saw at Badminton one year!). It's events like Olympia where screaming young kids do my head in. Sorry but I don't pay £65 a ticket to have a bawling three year old behind me in the evening session.


The family next to me at the Eventing showjumping in London had a baby with them but the second she started making a sound, either mum or granny were off down the stairs and out the way. Such a pleasure when parents and grandparents are aware - made us far more accepting of having to get up and down to let them out.
 
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I'm afraid if they won't sit still and quiet then they either you grow a thicker skin or leave. As a fellow spectator if they were nudging me/whispering loudly during key points I'd be annoyed. However are you sure you;re not imagining the attitude?
 
What happened at the trot up? Whenever i take my two young children to spectate at events we have the dsi and ipod fully charged. Also lots of food to keep them quiet. i was at olympia last yr and there was a group of noisy teenage kids who caused way more disruption than the younger children
 
Children who are too young to sit still and quiet, should only be in any enclosed area for as long as they can sit still imo. I also think that if they take up a full seat they should pay the full price.
 
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