Staying overnight at a big show - lots of advice needed please!!

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sue_ellen

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So daughter and pony have qualified for the Royal London Show and I, in a rash moment, promised that she could go.
Have never done a show on this scale before!
I know that I can hire a stable for the pony, but what about us? I am very poor, and will be a lot poorer after paying for this! so we only have a car and small trailer, no box to sleep in for us!
Does anyone have experience of shows like this? Can people stay on the showground or do they go to hotels or what? I'm assuming that people with big lorries stay in them but what about people like us who haven't got big lorries!?
Any advice on what to do/what to expect and any money saving tips very gratefully recieved!
 
Firstly, Good luck at Royal London!! We've qualified too but opting to go to another championship instead as it's much closer!

Sleep in the trailer if you can, (or take a tent). Wash it out, use blow up beds. Take lots of blankets/layers. Try and take a small stove (http://www.millets.co.uk/camping/cooking/product/094502/camp-bistro-stove.html?attribute=170641) with some gas things. They are great for making tea, cooking food etc. Also good for warming hands ;) Take as much food as you can, saves you tonnes of money, as at the shows the food stalls have a captive audience, and you need to eat! Take instant hot choc, sausage rolls etc. Also take a couple of folding chairs. A good cool box will keep it all cool and protected :)

Make a list. Make sure you right down everything the pony needs, as well as you. There will be toilets for cleaning teeth, having a wash. Baby wipes are invaluable for pony & you! A torch, (or two) and wellies! Throw away cardboard plates, plastic knives and forks etc, means less washing up. Plastic bags for rubbish and a small water container for washing pans out, washing hands if you can't be bothered to walk to the toilets etc! :)

Hope you have fun!
 
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Could you borrow a tent? This year we are in tents but last year 3 of us slept in the trailer (after mucking it out of course :) ). Wasnt very roomy but it was fun :)
 
Take as much hay as you can, can be expensive to buy at shows. Allow extra as there will be no turnout. Bag up any feed in individual portions for morning/eve feed, saves takeing a big bag and it will be ready mixed. I always put it in freezer bags as no holes in them. At equifest it was more reasonable to eat in the reasturant rather than buy from burger/hogroast places.Nag daughter to cover up or take off cream jods as they are difficult to wash n get dry. If possilble make best friends with neighbours who have all mod cons !!! have fun .
 
Oh thanks for that everyone! Wasn't sure if you could camp, someone has offered me a tent, but will there be a camp site? Old Nag, he's a Welsh B so they are doing some ridden M & M classes
 
If you camp, it will probably just be next to your trailer.
Personally I'd sleep in the trailer! Blow up bed and blankets = job done.

Other show essentials include -

Disposable BBQ
Junk food
Copious amounts of wine (preferably boxed :D)
 
Oh the wine...this year we are only taking 1 bottle. last year we got horrendously drunk and the next day was a killer. :D
 
Thanks again everyone, another, probably dim, question, but will there be water available there? I mean, I'm sure there will be, but I may as well ask now I've thought about it!
 
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