Festival of the horse? Opinions

[ironhorse]

Apologies if this has already been done - was a bit busy over the w/e!
What do people think about the event - apart from what sounds like a horrid exhibition by the Parelli people?
My mate went on Fri, paid £20 to get in and was then told she'd need to pay another £15 to see Edward Gal or any of the other arena events. Not being a shrinking violet, she complained and got a refund!
Was it worth the money? Were there many entries in the show classes? Just curious

 

[OliveOyl]

I also went Friday, had managed to buy my tickets on a BOGOF offer, that as far as I know was available for one day only? So I paid £20 to get in to include my grandstand ticket.
I really enjoyed the day, loved the Edward Gal demo, didn't watch the Parelli demo as no interest in it.
Did lots of shopping although spoke to lots of trade people who said it was completely dead for them.
I think they need to re-think the pricing though. I originally said if it was £40 each to get in that i wouldn't go and I think that's what happened - no one went!

 

[Happy Hunter]

Yep - I was working on a stand - Sunday was dead. dont ask me how dead, but it was definatley quiet - Unlike for example comaparing it with Your horse live - Which was soooooooo busy elbows had to be sharpened in some cases!

Most traders were very very down, some mentioning they were not coming back.
A lot of people grumbling about the seats.
The showing classes seemed to be well attended from what i saw.

20quid to get in and see showing and the trade stands - bit pricey - but then another 20quid to watch in the grandstand - Many were livid!
at 12pm they dropped the seat price to £5, and it seemed to fill up - As it did - the tradestands promptly emptied!

I spoke to the guy on one stand (chatty nice one) - and he said he thought that in his opinion strangley Friday was the busiest!

 

[JCWHITE]

As I was paying at 11.30am on Saturday, I was offered a seat at £5. I refused, as I thought £20 was expensive enough for the show in any case.
As I have already stated in another thread, I like to shop in peace and quiet, which I did, but I am sorry for the stallholders.
Would go again if the pricing structure was different.
JC

 

[ISHmad]

It was the pricing which stopped some of my friends and I going. The entrance fee was enough, without the additional cost of the seats. Might have reconsidered had we got the BOGOF deal but didn't know about that until it was too late.

 

[Ani]

I went yesterday, got tickets on the BOGOF deal but still could have got seats cheaper on the day which was a bit annoying. The showing classes were good and watched the arena XC and SJ of the express eventing which was good too, but only 11 competitors. walking round the trade stands all we heard were the traders complaining about the lack of business. We heard a couple of traders complaining to an official about the money they were to make this weekend should pay for there next pitch and there was no way it was going to do that, they argued very loudly for quite along time in full public earshot and at not point did the official ask to somewhere quieter. I heard another official on the phone saying something to teh effect of , this is obviously how you are feeling right now but there have been alot of positives and really you are not seeing the whole picture. I heard other traders discussing how some others where sending solicitors letters, they were so appalled about the lack of marketing and advertising.

I had an OK day but it certianly would not have been worth the full price.

 

[Happy Hunter]

Ditto All.
Mum Mentioned that the Old format of the Royal was more appealing to her to see the cows and tractors and have more of the 'county show appeal'
Only the other day H&H front page were saying 'County show attendance up'

Price wise - compare it to my favourite show, Newbury Agricultural. - £14quid a head, all inclusive - Much larger shopping, several more display areas, horses, cows, sheep, tractors, food, fun fair, chickens! What more could a girl want!!!

I'm just glad I didnt pay for FotH - would have complained!

 

[Kat]

phew so glad we didn't pay out for a stand there, we considered it, will make a note to avoid it until it is better established. I think we were probably better off at a cheapy little one at least we were definitely up at the end of the day!