Help- Blue Chip Champs? To go or not to go!!

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showjump

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HELP needed, we have qualified for the novice and entries shut today! I still cannot make my mind up if to go or not!
My class is first 2 classes on the Weds morning, so would travel down tues night, and come back weds afternoon. Ive never been before, so im tempted to go, but not sure its worth the mither and money?
Heres a list of my thoughts, any advice or help in either direction needed!!
* 2.5-3 hours away from me.
* Have to have 1.5 days hol from work!
* Is there going to be Scope number entries?
* Good experience
* Naturally quick, and careful mare (4th out of 60+ disco last weekend)

Hmmmmm all those who have been is it worth it? Kick up the a*se very much needed, im being my usual indecisive self!

Thanks
 
Yes it is worth it :) I went last year for the 1st time and had a great few days, i'm going again this year tues-fri. In the 1m warm up class indoors there will be loads of entries 100-150 because any one who has qualified for a final can jump to show their horses the ring. It was quite a fast class but a double clear should get you placed a lot of people don't go for it just use it as a warm up. The BN final will have 50-80 entries I would think and is 1m in the 1st round, last year it wasn't super fast and a DC will always end up with decent money. It will be really good experience, if you decide to come and need any help when you are there give me a shout :)
 
Thanks Claire, thats better than i thought entries wise, i was thinking 100's like Scope. I would of like to stay for afew days but stabling is expensive and im off work next week at camp with ponieos so think id get shot! (work for my dad!)

Whats the warm up ring like? I will be coming with my non horsey dad, so if you see a dad struggling and looking confused, and a chestnut mare wizzing around that will be me!!

What classes are you doing?
 
GO GO GO!!! I loved the Blue Chips, it's such a good atmosphere. The arena is decorated beautifully. Like Claire says, the Disco and Novice finals will have around 60, but the warm-up/non-qualifying classes will have lots and can be pretty competitive.

I last jumped there four years ago, I think it was the first or second time Hartpury had hosted it. The organisers couldn't have been nicer. The only thing I would say (and this may well have changed - Claire, you will probably know better?) is that if you are jumping in the first classes, you must declare the night before, so make sure you phone and declare on Tuesday (or go to the secretary's office if you are there early enough).

Good luck!
 
sounds like your mare would be perfect for it - 2.5 - 3 hours i would just travel in the morning for the day but then i went to cheshire for a day last year and go 2 hours just for a normal event !! x

But again it is nice to stay somewhere and will be more chilled x
 
Thanks for the help on deciding!

Tinks- I did think of just getting up early and heading down there, but what time would i need to leave to get there for 8am class!! Do they start at 8, as in have already walked the course etc?
 
It does start at 8 so you would have to walk the course first and if you were drawn early it would mean a very very early start! I would stay over the night before and then you will be well prepared :) We are staying in a local b&b but i think the atmosphere on sight is still good.

The warm up ring is about a minute walk away in a 20x60ish indoor arena when you have about 4 or 5 to go they call you down to the main indoor school where they have a small holding area with one jump just in case you want to do another fence before you go in. It is very well organised and there is always stewards on hand to tell you how many there are until you.

I don't think you have to delcare they draw the order and then you only tell them if you are not jumping, the orders for the wednesday will be up on tuesday so you will have a better idea of timing then.

I've qualified for the Star and the Karma which are both on the thursday but i'm also jumping the 1.15 & 1.20 on the tuesday and 1.25 on friday :)

Hopefully see you there
 
If i left at 4am, i should be ok, is it close off the motorway and easy to find!? Also does anyone know if the classes are ran two phase?
 
Go for it!! It's a fab show & venue. We went last year with the ponio & are going again 13th - 15th this year. We've got digs in a local premier inn although I booked it ages ago as I know they get full quick. Xx
 
i left at 4am to go to cheshire i must say though i am just an owner and let lou sleep all the way there while i drove !!

go the night before though you will have fun and its good to take in the atmosphere and not be stressed x
 
I am in the same boat, have 2 qualified for the novice. Was umming and ahhring about going but think it will be excellent experience for my 2. I could have gone for the day - it's about 2 hours from me, but think it will be good experience for the horses to have a night away as well, and there are only so many 3am starts I fancy doing :D Everyone seems in agreement that it is a good show to do.
 
Go, go, go! I think you will have a good chance. When i did the same class there were only 20-25 in JO so you could do really well.

As i live in the same neck of the woods as you, i would strongly advise travelling night before. It is a good journey but takes at least 3 hours. They run on time so will definitely start at 8.

The warm up arena is really good and then there is a little holding area for the next 2/3 to go.
 
I'm going for my first time too :-) got one qualified for the disco but am going to jump the warm up with her on the weds. So going up tues (about 3.5 hours by car) and staying til thursday when the disco is over.
I love away shows in general and i'm super excited about this one!
 
Ok I've posted the entry off, I'm going to go down bright and early weds morning and dads going to drive me!! I maybe mad not going the night before but I have a grumpy OH to deal with and my mum won't sleep in the house alone! So simpler all round, like you said Stacey i can snooze on way down there!!

Let's hope I'm not drawn first to go, and get held up in traffic! Thanks for the kick in the right direction guys.
 
Only just seen your post but glad you decided to go! Its a fab show, i went last year for the first time, i did the 1.20m and the 1.15m and the Star. This year i just have my youngster going who ive qualified for Discovery but decided this will probably be my holiday this year so im going down Tues pm, jumping the 1m in the main ring Wed and doing the 1m qualifiers each day and the Disco Thurs then treated myself to stay fri night for Gala night and home Sat morn :) will see you all there and good luck! :D
 
showjump said:
Ok I've posted the entry off, I'm going to go down bright and early weds morning and dads going to drive me!! I maybe mad not going the night before but I have a grumpy OH to deal with and my mum won't sleep in the house alone! So simpler all round, like you said Stacey i can snooze on way down there!!

Let's hope I'm not drawn first to go, and get held up in traffic! Thanks for the kick in the right direction guys.
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yep that you can - will be fine and leaving at that time should be no traffic !!!

i would suggest packing lorry night before and travelling with tendon boots on also saddles with a rug over if yours are good !!!
 
It's a great show and you will enjoy it, as someone else said far nicer than Scope.

I travelled 2 of mine from Leicester to Hickstead and back for the day! As Tinks said may be best to travel in boots and with saddle on if you are worried about time etc.
 
Thanks, and escada maybe see you there!

I can see where im drawn the night before, and fingers crossed and half way or more down the order!
 
I qualified the same class as you on the weds. Im not going as decided to breed from her but ive been most years since 2005. Its a really fun show and worth the travel. I never stay over as its quite expensive. Does mean an early start but my horses dont seem to mind that too much and always jump well in the indoor! I will be going for the Friday to have a nosey! Good luck
 
showjump said:
Thanks, and escada maybe see you there!

I can see where im drawn the night before, and fingers crossed and half way or more down the order!
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Hope so, pm me your name and horse i will look out for you and cheer you on in the Novice final :D

You will love the show, so friendly and well organised :)
 
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