leicester summer season aff/unaff competitions

[lizstuguinness]

Opinions please.

Want to diversify my land and run competitions.
when i competed 6 years ago bsja, there wasnt any local summer shows - but as i jumped county level+ it never bothered me, we also traveled 1hour+ to get to a show.

i would like to run 2 sj rings - 2'6", 2'9", Bn, Disc, 1.05mc, New and in the other ring 1.10mc, 1.15 open, Fox, 1.25m, 1.30,

the type of shows i would run would be flat level ground, lovely unique jumps, flowers and landscaped rings (similar to Church Farm, hickstead)

i would try running other shows representing other other disaplins but no idea as to class types yet.
i used to run aff sj, dress, xc, showing classes Ponies UK qualifiers etc so know waht im doing.

would you come? or do you think theres now loads of summer shows. thing is with petrol prices and the new 4x4 tax perhaps people will be looking to stay as close to home as poss to keep expences down.

would concider winter season, but only have a 20mx40m school. so i would build a 40mx 60m out door surface and either leave it open or cover it with marquee???

what do you think?
theres no way i can afford an indoor school, and in reality you only need outdoor schools and a car park to run in the winter, but no idea if riders think they absolutly HAVE TO HAVE indoor schools, or even if the bsja would allow winter competitions outside?
(i know a fair few shows warmup outside, but the class is held inside)

 

[sillygillyhorse]

to be honest unless you have outstanding facilities including superb all weather surfaces I feel it may be difficult for you to get the clients. With the climate changes the ground just gets so hard.

You also have to look at what others in the area are doing, Weston Lawns have the facility to run three jumping rings all on superb all weather along with all weather warm up, many people will travel a bit further to ensure they get good ground.

Other centres include Vale View who have an excellent indoor, fabulous new outdoor and a second smaller outdoor. don't forget that also Arena UK has just had a refurb.

Sorry to sound negative but not sure if it would work for you.

 

[lizstuguinness]

no not negative just honest.

im prepared to put up the facilities needed, but ive been out of jumping many yeas now and wasnt sure of any changes.

will definatly do more research, as it is an idea ive had for about 30 seconds!!, but if the ground was good going and the show was top quality would there be room for another show?

i was thinkign of running a three day show (sat-mon or fri-sun) for one weekend a month. if there was the call i could also do weekday shows.

 

[sillygillyhorse]

I would give the BSJA a call and see what they say about fixtures and what facilities they are looking for from a show venue.

Weston Lawns have run a couple of 3/4 day shows since May for the affiliated market and I think are hoping to hold AIT's next year.

Three day shows at unaffiliated level would, I think, be difficult as fewer people at that level have the facilities to stay over and quite often have one horse and would not compete three days in a row?

Saying that unaffiliated dressage always seems to attract huge numbes of entries but you have the added problem of finding judges.

Also forgot to say there is High Cross Equestrian just off the A5 who do affiliated and unaffiliated dressage along with unaffiliated jumping, they have indoor and large outdoor and hard car parking.

the other important thing is catering. So many competitors rate venues on this as well as the going!

All of the places I have mentioned have websites, might be worth a glance to get some ideas.

 

[lizstuguinness]

thanks i will.

im going to start by sending out questionairs in the post to bsja members in area 26 and the surrounding areas.
i will cater for their EXCAT requirements, and my mum is an excellent cook!!

no seriosly i jumped at 1.40, and know the difference between a decent show, and excellent show and one that i would NEVER miss come hell or high water!

i would love to give every rider the chance to ride at what i would hope to be a never ever miss show!

for example i have excellent contacts and will not find it too difficult to provide entertainment on sat eve (disco, live band, dancers etc) this would propbably be provided free.

i agree with you i cant see unaff riders at a three day, but may be with entertainment we can chnage that. i aim to give affiliated memberships away as a championship prizes so may be that would also be a sort of "carrot"?

if there is enough land (im planning on getting more), maybe the championship show would be HUGE with every disaplin competiting? go out the a big bang? imagin the atmosphere.

just out of interest what classes do you jump, and whats your favourite show (near or far)?