Rudey
Well-Known Member
Last year I attended GYS as a spectator. With 2 years exerience under my belt at local level inhand showing, I eagerly watched the showing classes, and was totally inspired to take the plunge at County level for the next year (2011).
Today I attended GYS as a competitor! Well what can I say about my adventures at Great Yorkshire Show today... um well, I missed my class! Only I could turn up 2.5 hours early for my class, and still ruddy miss it! I kid you not! You have to laugh!
The classes were running so late and dragging. As an example, the irish draft classes had an estimated timetable to start at 1:30 p.m. and then the coloured classes to follow at 3:00 p.m. At 4:00 p.m. the first irish draft class had started!
My friend had been to check on the classes in the ring regularly, the steward said the class before us had just started, it was a big class, and that it would be a good half hour plus before we went in. We popped the bridle on my horse, and made our way to the side of the ring, only to find that our class was in - not far from ending!
It became apparent that the coloured Judge ran her classes differently (and faster) than the previous Judges. It is not surprising at all bearing in mind she had 4 classes and a championship to judge and it was so late in the day.
Reflecting on it, today hasn't been such a wasted day. It has cost me a hell of a lot of money for an 'outing', but the experience is priceless. The show atmosphere was immense - I have never been to a show so buzzing. Bearing in mind I competed at Lincoln and Derby County Show's in June 2011 - the atmosphere at those shows in comparison to today at GYS just do not compare!
A little tongue in cheek, as I am disappointed I missed it, however, a few of the horses had kicked off big style in the class we should have been in, and one got seriously booted! So, in that respect, I am pleased he wasn't in there, as the hooligan would have joined in.... the sheep! 
C'est la vie and all that jazz. A hard (and expensive) lesson learnt! xx
Today I attended GYS as a competitor! Well what can I say about my adventures at Great Yorkshire Show today... um well, I missed my class! Only I could turn up 2.5 hours early for my class, and still ruddy miss it! I kid you not! You have to laugh!
The classes were running so late and dragging. As an example, the irish draft classes had an estimated timetable to start at 1:30 p.m. and then the coloured classes to follow at 3:00 p.m. At 4:00 p.m. the first irish draft class had started!
My friend had been to check on the classes in the ring regularly, the steward said the class before us had just started, it was a big class, and that it would be a good half hour plus before we went in. We popped the bridle on my horse, and made our way to the side of the ring, only to find that our class was in - not far from ending!
It became apparent that the coloured Judge ran her classes differently (and faster) than the previous Judges. It is not surprising at all bearing in mind she had 4 classes and a championship to judge and it was so late in the day.
Reflecting on it, today hasn't been such a wasted day. It has cost me a hell of a lot of money for an 'outing', but the experience is priceless. The show atmosphere was immense - I have never been to a show so buzzing. Bearing in mind I competed at Lincoln and Derby County Show's in June 2011 - the atmosphere at those shows in comparison to today at GYS just do not compare!
A little tongue in cheek, as I am disappointed I missed it, however, a few of the horses had kicked off big style in the class we should have been in, and one got seriously booted! So, in that respect, I am pleased he wasn't in there, as the hooligan would have joined in.... the sheep!
C'est la vie and all that jazz. A hard (and expensive) lesson learnt! xx
