I Just Don't Think I Can Do This Anymore

Gamebird

Gamebird

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 April 2007
Messages
8,774
Visit site
Anyone who knows me knows how competitive I am. I live for competing. I wouldn't have horses if I couldn't compete. I particularly enjoy taking the babies out for their first few competitions. Two recent experiences of unaffiliated competition however have made me vow 'never again'.

Today I took my 4yo out SJing. I'd been looking forward to it all week - two classes within his comfort zone, not too far away from home. A nice way to spend a Sunday morning. I left around 10am and have just got back now. I have been out for 5.5 hours. It's half an hour to the venue so figure a total travelling time of an hour. He doesn't need much warming up so I probably gave him 15mins before the first class and 10mins before the second. Add roughly 5mins in the ring per class and that's about 35mins in total. So travel time plus riding time = 1hr 35mins. Time spent waiting around? 3hrs 55mins.

A fortnight ago I went to another venue. I arrived at about 8.40am, put my number down (for a class that began at 9am) at 8.45am and didn't jump until after 11am.

Let me say it again. I LOVE competing. I love jumping the babies round 85cm tracks just as much as I love taking the big horses round 1.15s. My 4yo jumped two cracking rounds today. I should be thrilled. Instead I have come home grumpy, irritable and massively guilty about all the things at home that I haven't got done today as a result. I work long hard hours all week (and every other weekend) and my motivation for riding in the dark in the evenings is that I'm schooling the horses so that they can compete at their best. Riding is not my job: it is my hobby, my enjoyment and my relaxation. Other than the 35mins riding my lovely horse (and listening to The Archers omnibus on the way there) I have not enjoyed a minute of today.

Unless something at the venues changes I shall confine myself to booking annual leave and competing the grown-up horse midweek (when it's quieter) and taking the 4yo to course-practice sessions like they do at Arena UK on a Wed afternoon. I am not prepared to spend nearly 4 hours of my valuable free time leaning on a fence anymore waiting for the 48 people in each class before me to jump.

Does anyone have any suggestions how venues might improve this? It is in their interests to be packed to the gunnels so why would they bother? I'd happily pre-enter if that would help, but the second example listed above was in a class with 40 pre-entries so I'm not sure whether it would. It took 4hrs today to run two unaff SJ classes so there are plenty of idiots (me included) queuing up to hand over their money. I guess most people don't have a choice?

Apologies for the rant - I'm on the wine so I'll happily pour a glass for anyone that can see the way forward, either for myself or for unaff competition in general :)
 
This is why we rarely show jump in the winter! Luckily we have a good venue locally who run combined training events up to BE Novice level. It's pre-enter only and we get a time for the dressage with the jumping following on from that. So we know what time to get there and arent hanging about all day. Plus means we can practice dressage and jumping on the same day.
 
riding club? I went to my RC sj comp yesterday, only 4 entries in each class. left at 9am, back home at 11.30, leaving 50 mins for traveling. and I won both classes! bonus!
i don't go anywhere i know will be busy, i haven't got the time to waste.
 
I do think combined training is good for the winter, having a time is great.

I admit to losing enthusiasm for BS when being made to wait around for hours! Competing midweek is a definite bonus, I've always loved Sykehouse for that.
 
Combined training would be fab but I struggle to find it on. I also work alternate weekends so it's generally a case of 'need to get X horse out, what's on this Sunday?' and having to pick what suits best from what's available. I think the answer might be to get the 4yo out at British Nov - it's generally the first class on so could go in first and come home. It would mean just jumping one class though as he's nowhere near jumping a Disco. Actually the best case scenario would be finally selling him then I could just stay at home and save the aggro!
 
Places round me do an hour per class. If your number isn't down in time you don't get to jump. Also means you can time it nicely that you do the end of one class and early in the other, cool off, pack away, check out the cafe, go see the results and go home.
 
I don't think there really is an answer. I've certainly lost hours of my life - probably days! - waiting around in various collecting rings/trailers/cafes/seating often freezing cold or boiled or soaking wet.

I did push one venue to start setting start and finish times on each class but then there was always someone who 'accidentally' brought an extra horse or ran into traffic or otherwise warranted an exception. (Although people manage just fine for dressage!)

The only thing I've seen work better are the European shows, where they ram them through, two or three horses in the ring at a time, no fussing about in the warm up, you snooze, you lose. But I think venues are too scared to do that here or in NA.
 
TarrSteps said:
The only thing I've seen work better are the European shows, where they ram them through, two or three horses in the ring at a time, no fussing about in the warm up, you snooze, you lose. But I think venues are too scared to do that here or in NA.
Click to expand...

They could definitely have been slicker today. They seemed a little taken aback when I was ready to walk in to the side of the ring when the horse before me jumped the second last, but that's standard procedure at BE. Other things like building that last fence near to, and jumped towards, the ring exit all also help. They completely changed the course between classes which is time-consuming and not necessary and allowed a lengthy time for course-walking. It all adds up.

If anyone can suggest quiet, efficient venues in the East Midlands I'm all ears!
 
I wanted to take my old girl out today, there where two unaff show jumping on today, one 30 mins away and one an hour away, I went to the one that was an hour away, left mine at 10 and was back at half 1. Two classes jumped and I had an indoor warm up, the one that is 30 mins away I would still be there now, they are just starting the 105, I'm glad I went to wix
 
vic07 said:
Our local centres do a 85cm clear round then a BN. Perfect for getting them going.
Click to expand...

This would be ideal. I know a venue that does this on a Thursday, and also does a free day ticket and free BN entry (Port Royal - amazing value!), but annoyingly Thursday is the one day that is very difficult for me to take off work.
 
Just the opposite at the unaff arena event and eventer trial at Keysoe

You could either do the whole event or just the two jump phases. Times given for both phases, the SJ (indoor)ran straight to XC (outdoor). All ran to time pretty much to the second.

Well done Keysoe.

Next one is 22nd Dec, classes start at 70cm.
 
Was this at Speetley by any chance? Sounds very similar to the day that I've had there. Agree that course changing is a waste of time - also a pain in the bum if you are out competing on your own
 
I think organised staff make a huge difference. Stewards who have next two ready to go, easy course changes which are prepared in advance and starting on time!!
 
LEC said:
I think organised staff make a huge difference. Stewards who have next two ready to go, easy course changes which are prepared in advance and starting on time!!
Click to expand...

This, and it also helps when the stewards chivvy people out of the ring! I went to a local unaff venue today and a large number of riders jumped the last fence, then trotted round a bit, gave their horse a pat and then ambled very slowly across and out of the ring - this wasted a lot of time as the judge wasnt ringing the start bell until the entry gates were shut. Whilst you get large numbers at some BS venues, the riders generally seem a little more brisk about getting in and out (once they're actually ready to jump that is ;) ).
 
I had exactly the same thoughts a couple of weeks ago when I took my baby out for her first outing. She waited on the lorry for almost 3 hours before getting off to jump one round and go home again. Not the best experience.
The classes speeded up when they went on to single phase but I then find that a crammed arena full of fences with about 16 jumping efforts is a lot for a baby to cope with also.
Unfortunately the clear round days are mid week and as I work full time I can't go to those unless I take holiday.
I hate winter showjumping.
 
And this is why I dislike SJ (esp unaffil) and don't go as often as we should! Admittedly some show centres are slicker than others - last jump by the exit and ring the bell swiftly after someone's gone into the ring. Also much much faster changing the course as everyone knows what they're doing. I went SJing, at my local unaffil centre a couple of months back to jump the 3'3 and 3'6 so last classes of the day. Rang late morning to be told they were quiet so headed over to find that they had become "busy" (ie maybe a dozen entries each in the 2'6 and 2'9, not busy by BS standards!) and it was taking over an hour per class! They were only on the 2'3 when I arrived. Serious sense of humour failure followed but we stuck it out, and happily hoss jumped well but came back swearing never ever again!

Like you though, I have to work alternate weekends (well, alternate saturdays) which really limits where one can go. All too often there's combined training or similar on on the day I have to work and nothing worth bothering with on the sunday. The day off mid week every week is a bonus and I'd much rather pay a little more and go BS mid week where the classes are without fail better run than the weekend unaffil and less well supported than the weekend BS.

Roll on Spring and BE with civilised times!!! Although if you've got a horse that copes well with show atmosphere going to hire a proper BS course is probably just as beneficial if not more so as competing! Depends on whether or not you see SJ as a means to an end, ie to improve BE scores, or whether you're SJ for SJ's sake really.
 
meardsall_millie said:
Oh sorry, just one helpful thing to add - Arena UK have stopped their Weds afternoon SJ training until further notice......
Click to expand...

Aw, man :mad:. :( . They were on last week. 'Pro SJer of my acquaintance who is also well acquainted with my 4yo' (you know who I mean) took two lorry loads!

I'm ignoring your previous comments btw.
 
TGM said:
This is why we rarely show jump in the winter! Luckily we have a good venue locally who run combined training events up to BE Novice level. It's pre-enter only and we get a time for the dressage with the jumping following on from that. So we know what time to get there and arent hanging about all day. Plus means we can practice dressage and jumping on the same day.
Click to expand...


I totally agree....think we probably go to the same place (Felbridge?). And even better....if you want to do an extra sj round, they are very happy for you to do so.

At most BS shows near here, you could always do a second round in the BN ,going HC, I know it would be an identical course, but often useful education for a baby horse
 
If you find anywhere good in the East Mids, PLEASE share!!!

Dad will now only come with me under sufferance, he cannot bear standing around or ineffective stewards!

I went to Hargates Tuesday evening jumping in the summer, I jumped the first round at about 5.30pm (55cm clear round as a confidence building round for my 5 year old that had a scare). There were then 16-18 per class for the 65cm, 75cm and 85cm. I then jumped the 95cm at 9.30pm! Only myself, 2 friends and 3 others in it, all keen to get in and get cracking yet they wouldn't let us in before the one before was out of the arena, and gave 2 circuits of the arena before ringing the bell......!

I got home at 11pm at night!!! Really put me off going again....
 
I don't mind when it is busy as it is good for the show centres and it is more fun and competitive. I do mind when it is slow because they are taking ages to change the courses, or if you are waiting for people to turn up and jump.
 
I feel your pain and also only really go SJ to Port royal on a Thursday these days. Have had nightmares there on a weekend, as well as all the others in the area. Had a 'spontaneous' run to Milton last winter on a Friday night thinking it'd be quiet - wrong! I think one of the issues is that unless you are jumping the 75cm at UA it is all dependant upon entries (and organisation). Not sure pre-entry would work for SJ but maybe venues could try. This is why I want to hibernate in winter lol.

(Sorry, nothing really helpful to add!)
 
I think there should be a general rule that if there are over 20 entries in a class then it should be run 2 phase or single phase NOT A7 as waiting for 25+ to go in a separate jump off before your class starts is not funny. I have to admit I think it is easier for the baby horses (and me!) to continue straight into the jump off section over bigger fences than going back in.
Also certain classes (maybe 1/3rd and 2/3 point through the day) should state "not to start before" so at least you have a better idea when to turn up.
 
quizzie said:
I totally agree....think we probably go to the same place (Felbridge?). And even better....if you want to do an extra sj round, they are very happy for you to do so.
Click to expand...

Yep, same place! It is very popular and for those in different areas it might be worth suggesting to local venues that they investigate following the format?
 
Two phase are how most of my classes run, also a communal course walk can be for the THREE following classes, like today. Yes the heights differ but the route is the same.
200 entries, from 08.30am till last to go at 17.00. Just finished in the light. Job done by lots of young helpers from the host Club and efficient judging, course building and collecting ring. Presentations made on foot and out of the ring, again for more than one class at a time.
This is in France where most entries are made on the web and close on the Monday before the event, class times are published mid week.
I am afraid I have the been there and done that hat from days in Area 30 uk. My sympathy to the OP.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top