Should I go affiliated?

[vicky33]

At what stage in show jumping should a person switch from small local shows to affiliated? I've had my connie for 1 year now and we're really progressing. I did a show recently competing on the 95cm & if I wanted to jump higher for this Spring/Summer coming should I go affiliated? Is it better than other shows? What is there to expect? Any advice... Would love to hear Thanks,
Vicky x

 

[be positive]

The main thing to take into account is that generally affiliated SJ tracks are fully up to height and more technical than unaff.,most will have related distances on doglegs,full width oxers or similar problems that you need to prepare for in your training.
I am not sure if you are a junior rider but try and get some lessons that work on related distances ,turning on your approach etc and see how that goes your instructor will be able to advise when you are ready.
I was surprised when I first went to a junior BS show at how challenging the courses were,they are also often two phase or progressive and the final few fences can look very big.
One good thing is that they are always well built and you know that a 1 metre class will be exactly that ,often not the case at unaff.
Sorry if you are not a junior rider but the same really applies

 

[LifeofRiley]

I've recently affiliated my boy and been jumping a few BN tracks over the last year. I agree with the comments about the quality of the courses at some venues (and also quality of the competitors but that's another story!) However, most of the venues I have been to in the SE (mainly Felbridge Duckhurst, Merrist Wood and Royal Leisure) also do unaffiliated shows that have the same course builders and to be honest I've not noticed a massive difference in the height and type of courses. You also have to weigh up the cost - it is expensive to affiliate and although there are monetary prizes on offer, the entry fees are much more expensive too. I think you have to decide what height you are aiming for to see if the cost of affiliating justifies it. For me, I don't want to go above about 3'3" and I can do 3' at unaffiliated shows at the same venues as affiliated shows - so I won't be renewing this year! Hope this helps.