County Shows - how much extra travelling time to allow?

Rudey

Rudey

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I'm new to the big scale shows, this year being the first that I am not spectating, but will actually be taking part and competing at a County Show eeeeek! :)

On Wednesday 22nd June I am off to Lincolnshire Show. Fortunately, I am a stones throw away, and it usually takes around half an hour to get to the show ground. I received my package through from the show, and it warned to make allowances for travelling time due to surplus show traffic. I was thinking about giving myself an hour travel time instead of the usual half an hour. Will this be enough? :confused:

On Sunday 26th June I am at Derby County. Recently I went to Bakewell, and that took me just 10 minutes short of 2 hours to get there. Derby County is an additional 13 miles away, and so I (generously) totted that up, estimating it to take 2 1/4 hours for the journey. Bearing in mind the show traffic extra time basis, do you think allowing an additional hour would be sufficient?

What are your experiences? Do you allow extra time? If so, how much, and what do you base that judgement on? What 'method' do you use to calculate/base it upon? xx
 
i always allow far to much time.. my thinking, better to arrive non stressed have a coffee faff and let horse settle into atmosphere of show ground.. you can always take horse and wander and watch some classes too.
 
jhoward said:
i always allow far to much time.. my thinking, better to arrive non stressed have a coffee faff and let horse settle into atmosphere of show ground.. you can always take horse and wander and watch some classes too.
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Thank you for your input! Admittedly that is a good point, and something I can do with Lincolnshire without issue, as my class is at 3:30 p.m. So to be fair, it is not a huge issue for my travelling time I guess, especially with me living so close by.... unless I was running late - which, is highly likely! :o

Derby County, I will be gracing my presence in the ring for around 12:00 noon. At the latest, I would like to arrive there by 10:30 a.m. Using my estimate, I wonder if it be wise to set off at 7:30 a.m. or allow more time on top? Now that will be an early 4:00 a.m. start! :eek: xx
 
my classes at my local counties tend to be around 8-9am ive done a 3am get up.. did actully get to show ground a bit to early even coffee stands went open lol!
 
jhoward said:
my classes at my local counties tend to be around 8-9am ive done a 3am get up.. did actully get to show ground a bit to early even coffee stands went open lol!
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That is hilarious! But crickey... a 3:00 a.m. start! :eek: I can't decide whether you are very dedicated, or crazy LOL! I do believe there is a thin line between the two! ;) :p

What time do you go to bed to get up at that time? I'm useless - it doesn't matter how hard I try, I always end up going to bed after midnight, and I still struggle to sleep! :rolleyes: xx
 
getting to the Three Counties show took as only 5 min extra to usual- but I think that was because it was on a friday when most were at work and so it was mainly competitors there that day. At the weekend yes I would add a half hour.
 
shadowboy said:
getting to the Three Counties show took as only 5 min extra to usual- but I think that was because it was on a friday when most were at work and so it was mainly competitors there that day. At the weekend yes I would add a half hour.
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Oh right, that's an interesting point, and when I think about it, fairly obvious - weekends will be slightly more hectic with more people being off work.

How did you do at Three Counties? My farrier recommended it as a great show, so I had a look at the schedule, but had already missed the closing date. I will bear the show in mind for next year! xx :)
 
LOL dedicated and i dont do stress or rushing! tbf getting up at 3 am allowed wake up time half hour to get to yard, much out/feed then remove all the poo stains from coloured horse! also i always plait on the morning which on average takes me 45 mins. (am very anal about plaits.)

get to show ground, unload let horse chill out go off and check out rings etc.

im rubbish at going to bed early i generally figure being tired for the morning wont kill me and i can have a kip later in the day once home!
 
Rudey said:
Oh right, that's an interesting point, and when I think about it, fairly obvious - weekends will be slightly more hectic with more people being off work.

How did you do at Three Counties? My farrier recommended it as a great show, so I had a look at the schedule, but had already missed the closing date. I will bear the show in mind for next year! xx :)
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Really well came second in the In hand New Forest class. Massive show- 250 classes! And some classes had 40+ entries!!! They took 2 hours to get through
 
jhoward said:
LOL dedicated and i dont do stress or rushing! tbf getting up at 3 am allowed wake up time half hour to get to yard, much out/feed then remove all the poo stains from coloured horse! also i always plait on the morning which on average takes me 45 mins. (am very anal about plaits.)

get to show ground, unload let horse chill out go off and check out rings etc.

im rubbish at going to bed early i generally figure being tired for the morning wont kill me and i can have a kip later in the day once home!
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You and I sound very similiar! I allow myself around an hour for plaiting up.... and if one bun doesn't go right, I start it all over again. Even when I go to the local shows for a mere outing - I still go into OCD mode, and try my best to turn him out at his best.

Me and time keeping just don't mix unfortunately. I am feeling the pressure and stressing about the lead up to the County Shows admittedly. It is not the show that I am panicking about - it is my time keeping that is my concern. I am desparate to get up in time, desparate to immaculately turn him out show perfect, desparate to travel and arrive in plenty of time, and desparate to get into the ring in time! Arrrrrghhhh! I hate time keeping! xx :D
 
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