Cotswold RDA as dressage venue - reviews?

milliepops

milliepops

Wears headscarf aggressively
Joined
26 July 2008
Messages
27,531
Visit site
Considering this for Cob's next show. I took her to Abbey last week and she struggled with the spooky indoor (never been indoors before, nor seen mirrors :D) but was a good egg outside.

Never been to Cotswold RDA before, but the timing of the show is ideal for her. Anyone been there who can vouch for surfaces, spookiness etc? It will only be her third show so very much interested in efficient, sensible venues so we can just concentrate on having a positive experience :)
 
Only been there for an ROR clinic so can't comment on the show organisation.
Assuming you're in the indoor:
There are lots of pictures around the side for the letters - not really spooky but may be something to look at.
At the top end, there is a low level seating area and a mounting ramp - again not really spooky, then down one long side there is a walkway to the loo's etc.
The surface is ok - nothing particularly special but didn't ride deep or flat.
My TB who'd done very little in doors was quite happy working in there.
 
Brill, that's helpful thanks. She's OK with banners and stuff (didn't even peep at Summerhouse)but shiny things seem to be a bit much at the mo :D Doesn't sound like she will mind the rest. It's all good experience anyway, and I kind of feel like we need to do some more indoors.
how big is the indoor? Do you think it's bigger than 20 x 40? I think the reason Abbey indoor is a bit off putting is because it is exactly 20x40 so you have to go right past the judge's nose ;)
 
I took mine there when she was a youngster and she rooted to the spot in the indoor and refused to move in any direction whatsoever, so my mare thought it was life threatening spooky! Yes she's a spooky mare anyway, but she found it all too much and we had to retire, as our 4 minutes had come and gone and she hadn't moved an inch!
Have a look on youtube of people doing tests in there, that should give you some idea of what the arena looks like. There's paintings on the walls around the edge, an office window down the one side, then metal railings and a mounted block type arrangement at C. It is an exact 20x40 so no space round the edge.
 
OliveOyl said:
Have a look on youtube of people doing tests in there, that should give you some idea of what the arena looks like.
Click to expand...

Ah ha! Why didn't I think of that? Thanks. perhaps we'll give it a miss then. A bigger arena would give her less stage fright. Oh well!
 
It's quite a spooky indoor as they go... some horses don't like the light across the floor from the door, or the pictures, or the fact that everybody is right there by the arena. Absolutely lovely venue and incredibly friendly though, I love going there and it's always worth the journey! (They provide free munchies for you in the kitchen as well!)
 
Horses can find it spooky because of the pictures on the wall. If you go there on a sunny day you may get a bit of light shining through doors and roof. Its a quite friendly venue though. Quick and easy, no waiting about. Its only 20m wide but slightly longer. There is a line of poles at C as the arena is a little longer and there is a ramp behind the poles for disabled riders to mount. Although some spook in there, I do think its a good venue for young horses to get experience.
 
thanks everyone, will mull it over as not the easiest journey from here, about 1.5 hours which is the furthest she has travelled. Was hoping not to make the journey AND the show a challenge ;) one or the other is OK!
Just the timing was perfect. I think we'll possibly save it until later & wait for another outdoor show for our next one.
 
The warmup arena isn't very big, and last time I was there, not the best surface (although they may have improved it since I was there)

Took a young tb and he jumped the shadows cast by the sunlight coming through the gaps in the walls!

Really friendly, relaxed atmosphere and nice people
 
I do like it there, it's friendly and relaxed as others have said. The warm up arena is small compared to other venues but I've never found it crowded. My mare is usually fine in the indoor arena however last month there was a large green horse (borrowed from the racecourse I think) and an RDA hoist behind the judge which she took a dislike to. I wouldn't want to put anyone off going there but just something to keep in mind.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top