The European Championships - how many of us actually went to Windsor ?

I had season tickets for the dressage and one sj ticket for the Saturday afternoon. (Luckily, a friend who has more money than me bought them a year ago and let me pay him off in instalments.) Yes, it was a shame - and a surprise to us - to see so many empty seats. And had I known, of course I would have bought tickets much later and much more cheaply, but we did have brilliant seats (in the covered stand). I brought food with us every day, as I wouldn't pay the prices charged for the quality of food on offer; we only had to buy drinks.

But my main gripes were: One, the first two days, people in the covered stand could not walk through to the trade stand area (or the extra blocks of toilets) across the end of the arena; we had to walk all the way around - a good 10 minutes - and it took two solid days of complaints from a huge number of ticket-holders before they relented and opened up one end as a cut-through. Two, the collectives weren't given - again, untill they had so many complaints they managed to provide some collectives (but not all) for each horse. Three, the number of toilets on the side of the covered stand - just four cubicles in the ladies - and the absence of any catering facility, so we couldn't go to the toilet AND get a cup of tea in the break. And four, the late start on Saturday night which meant we couldn't use public transport, as we had been doing (from north London), because the last trains were 10.22 from Windsor and Eton Riverside and a little after 11.00 from Windsor Central. We would have had to miss the prize giving and rush like mad to get out and find Windsor Central, as there was no way we could have gone to Windsor and Eton Riverside in time. Oh, and the two hour-plus gap between SJ and dressage on Saturday gave us a lot of time to do nothing!

The friend I went with has travelled abroad to watch international competitions on a number of occasions and made the point to the organisers (when we were joining the queue of complainers on Tuesday) that they do things right, so why can't we?
 
We went twice, somewhat aggrieved at having paid full price when ended up getting offers of free seats from three different associations but hey ho! Wednesday night complete lack of atmosphere with so many empty seats. Saturday night better atmosphere but still some empty seats. Shame that when we came to leave on Saturday night most of the coffee stalls were closed so the only real option was to go and sit in the car rather than hang around and would have been nice if the trade stands had stayed open later (a la HOYS) but can understand what a long day it would be for those manning the stands. Also, serious gripe, when we booked back in April for Saturday night tickets it said all parking was sold out Ha Ha Ha since we paid on the gate to park. That in itself nearly put me off buying tickets back in April since for us there was no other way of getting there other than by car. Did the Europeans back at Hickstead in 1993 (?) I think but can't really comment that far back other than it was sunny all the time. Also have been to Aachen for their normal show, much better value and much better atmosphere. It could have been much better for example at the RIHS the stewards all dress in bowlers etc and suits which would have looked so much better, bit more fanfare etc generally but glad to have gone and would have liked to have spent all week there.
 
Well my experience was of bad organisation.

When I originally bought tickets no parking was offered. I did lots of calling off and on over period of over a month at least with the right hand not knowing what the left hand was doing, finally booking 2 car park passes 3.5 weeks before show. They didn't arrive. Called beginning of week before to be told they hadn't been sent (had been over 2 weeks at this point!), but would be next day. We were going Sat night. Called Friday lunchtime as they still hadn't arrived. They couldn't tell me if they'd been sent or not! Told me to collect from ticket collection office. So arrived Saturday, driving around couldn't see a ticket collection office, noone to ask... So paid for parking again (now there was pay on day.... This wasn't offered in any of my many phone calls about parking!). Walked into show ground and find ticket collection office!!! No way I could have got to it without parking my car first!! NOT IMPRESSED!!!!!

Got to our seats 10 mins before performance. then this couple come up and say we are in their seats. We go find official, turns out they had been sold seats for the SJ in the afternoon when they had asked for Dressage!! We left at this point as our tickets were valid.

Great organisation! not!
 
I'm currently 20mins from Windsor - bus goes from the uni entrance and I didn't go despite wanting to!

Reason? Cost of the tickets. Simple as really
 
I was thinking that a leg of the GCT should be held in Britain. This may attract people back into watching show jumping, as the GCT is very glamorous with big money in it. Although we'd have to organise a venue thats on a par with the rest of the amazing ones! What do you all think?
 
I think that they would love too but finding a suitable GCT type venue and a space in the calendar is a problem. because it needs to run out doors and because the Tour prefers inner city locations generally.
I do think though that the problem is that because our own showjumpers have lost their way a little people are less encouraged to go and showjumping does not have a superstar like Zara or Tortillas (love em or hate em
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) to lure them in.
 
Re the support for the showjumpers.....I used to follow sj very closely and I would say there was more of it on general TV and so all the riders were better known. Obviously my fault that I don't follow it so closely now but many of the non GB competitors were relatively unknown to me. OH who is only "horsey" through me preferred the evening we spent watching dressage to the sj which surprised me. Years ago when I was in Aachen I went for the show jumping with a ticket for all sessions but a ticket for the dressage bought on the day was so cheap that I spent one session watching the dressage instead and so there was "cross pollenation" of interest as it were.
 
I used to follow sj very closely and I would say there was more of it on general TV and so all the riders were better known. [ QUOTE ]


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Thats an issue in itself though really and adds weight to my point of needing an animated commentator and SJ'ers when interviewed. If they are dull, people aren't going to get the ' personalities' the sport needs.If you get very little TV coverage anyway and people aren't watching we may find that the broadcasters reduce the air time given as in racing.

I know its not nearly the same thing but the commentator on come dine with me makes that show and its become a cult hit. He's witty, animated and has briliant timing. Who would have thought a cookery programme could attract such a following.
 
Having seen the site and event scheduling only a short while before the start of the champs we thought it was a very, very poor effort. Some of the organisation on the day (s) could not, for want of a better expression, "find their butt with both hands in a closet". I really thought that with 2012 looming this was going to be a chance for the BEF to showcase the equestrian scene in the UK. All the stops should have been pulled out. In effect it felt like just another competition, OK with European superstar horses & riders, but that is how it came across.

The advertising was crap, it did not encourage anyone who has not seen world class rides in person to attend. An equine college I gave a lecture at not long ago had no idea it was even on, maybe the fault or lack of enthusiasm on the part of the college staff but surely the BEF could have subsidised equine colleges to take students who after all are part of the future of the industry. Unless the average happy hacker and weekend local competitor got H&H very little affort was made to bring the event into the public eye. And I don't mean that in a derogatory sense but these are the folks who could be filling the seats.

Venue - I for one, and many, many others I spoke to just did not want to have a daily commute in and out of the London area - by train; plane; or automobile. Would'nt the UK benefit greatly if the BEF / BHS and other sections of the equine industry got together and encouraged the powers that be to establish a permanent site to showcase world class equestrain events. I always think Stoneleigh Park was a lost opportunity. Easy access, great m'way links, airports close, central for a huge cachment area of both competitors and spectators. Or was Windsor another Princess Haya "must have" location?

All the mega bucks that will be poured into Greenwich for what? A few days of equine spectacle then pulled down. No legacy left for our future. That cash could be so, so much better used elsewhere, it could have started now and continued to evolve in a permanent location that could have been something really special for now and in future generations.

OK rant over, off my soap box.
 
If I was still living in the south I would definatly have gone,but had a couple of large bills going out so no chance
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I oculdnt belive how empty it was,and although I understand the need to cover costs I really think upping ticket prices is not the way to go.
If they were lower,more people could afford to go which means more bums on seats,more money being spent on the day and the bigger numbers would attract more TV and sponsers.
 
Hear, hear to all the recent posts! I hope you'll all email Horsepower and tell them what you thought as I doubt any of them look at this Forum. I do know that at least one member of staff at the BSJA agrees with us.
 
It'd be easier to print off the thread and post it to anyone influential surely.

There have been some really good suggestions, particularly Cefyl's suggestion of reduced ticket prices for students. This could also be expanded to Equestrian Centres etc who will have joe public have lessons but who have never thought of going to an event.

Free hospitality boxes for anyone in the media / business community that we could try and court, and so it goes on,,,
 
My experience with Horsepower at the Europeans was pretty negative, and I doubt that they have any interest in listening to feedback, unfortunately. Of course there were a few individuals who tried their best to help, the whole atmosphere in which they were working was unhelpful and penny pinching. One individual in particular was so unpleasant that in the end I gave up and left without getting the expenses I was entitled to. It wasn't worth the rudeness and aggro. Not a good experience.
 
A lot of potential visitors seem to have been put off by the cost of the tickets.

I could be mistaken but they didn't seem to me to be that much more (if at all) than , say, Olympia, and that is generally more or less sold out. Or was it the overall costs - additional expenses of transport etc - which caused the problems? Or is Olympia not an appropriate comparison?

I went on Wednesday afternoon; not too surprised by lack of audience on a weekday afternoon but I was rather shocked by the rows of empty seats I saw on the TV for the finals on Sunday afternoon.
 
Because of the lack of spectators, will there be enough revenue to cover the costs?

I only saw it on the TV but I have never seen such a bad turnout for a major championships for the showjumping. Costs and time of year (peak holiday time for the UK) can be blamed but also the general lack of interest in the sport in the UK is a major factor. With over a million people owning horses and many millions having some sort of 'equestrian' experience it is really a sad situation that a few thousand people cannot be encouraged to go to a major event.

Perhaps some kind of promotion with someone like Tesco's with the club card vouchers for major events may help encourage spectators (this will encourage sponsorship as well). Orange do something similar as well with 'winning free tickets' if you call a text number.

How many people liked the italian guy because he was animated in his interview even after he had a poor round? Clare Balding for one. The British contengent were almost tripping over there jaws in defeat. How are we ever going to win with an attitude like that. I didn't go because of the fact shows are now dull affairs in the UK with more atmosphere on the moon and are too expensive on the entertainment value. Who ever brought in the day and evening tickets needs shooting. I can go to Alton Towers all day and have more fun and that includes all the waiting around for rides for less than it would have cost to go to this show.

I think people in the sport need to get a reality check and the sport needs a good kick up the arse!
 
I think Olympia is a good comparison in that yes tickets prices are similar but you get so much more value for your money. Olympia has become a Christmas institution for the family with an awful lot going on to entertain everyone.

I would have struggled to keep young children entertained at Windsor, particularly as we went on Saturday, arriving at 10.00 expecting a full day of entertainment to find we were sat around nursing a coffee for 4 hours before the SJ started.

Yes some people can / will pay the prices but like everything you want a well produced, full itinerary of events. And without wishing to offend anyone the only demo on the showground of Parelli is an acquired taste.
 
How many people liked the italian guy because he was animated in his interview even after he had a poor round? Clare Balding for one. [ QUOTE ]


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Exactly, he was a ' personality' and I laughed when she asked if he loved his horse ( after her warm up shenanigans ? and he said no
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I went along on the Saturday evening for the Kur and have mixed feelings.

I really enjoyed te evening, atmosphere was good and I got to see some superb performances so all in all pretty pleased.

However if I had gone on any other day/time I think I would have been bitterly disappointed.

1. Cost of tickets - extortionate given that all you got was a couple of hours and no other supporting entertainment (oh, sorry, I forgot an average musical dressage demo with what looked to be one slightly lame horse included). I had originally wanted to go in the afternoon for the SJ but ticket prices scuppered that plan, glad I didn't go in the end. Surely cheaper tickets would have got more bums on seats, better atmosphere etc.
2. Advertising - I bought a ticket for best friends birthday prezzie - she is historically very dressage orientated altough nowadays not so much into the scene. I told her date and time and that it was a surprise, but I was sure she would guess where she was going - she didn't despite telling me she had been researching the internet for horsey events ....
3. Shopping - was okay but not amazing, however all shops shut early on the evening performance? Why?
4. Food - 2 x burgers and 2 x chips = £17, nuff said

TBH I couldn't believe it was a European Championship, god help us in 2012
 
It seems that dressage fans got a better deal. I went on Thursday for the GP special which ran from 9.30 to about 4 and was excellent, and also went on Saturday evening. I was generally impressed, everything went very smoothly and I would love to see the Olympics there.
 
[ QUOTE ]
A lot of potential visitors seem to have been put off by the cost of the tickets.

I could be mistaken but they didn't seem to me to be that much more (if at all) than , say, Olympia, and that is generally more or less sold out. Or was it the overall costs - additional expenses of transport etc - which caused the problems? Or is Olympia not an appropriate comparison?

I went on Wednesday afternoon; not too surprised by lack of audience on a weekday afternoon but I was rather shocked by the rows of empty seats I saw on the TV for the finals on Sunday afternoon.

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I've not been to Olympia since someone else paid for my ticket. I think Olympia's over-priced for what it actually is IMHO. There's probably worse transport issues with Olympia too because of the tube although I hear that's been better in recent years. Very very little parking for Olympia too.
 
Yes, I think Olympia is way over-priced and if I wasn't able to go as a journalist on a press pass, I wouldn't get there. As for Windsor, I have a huge list of complaints and will be writing to Horsepower, but, as one of the other posters said, they didn't seem very sympathetic at the event, so I don't expect any better response now.
 
SC and I went to Olympia for about £40 for the two of us including the bus there. We had cheap seats and they were fab.
 
Actually I find Horsepower really easy to deal with both here and at Olympia especiually compared to Grandstand but that isnt really the issue is it. The whole marketing strategy is wrong, the commentary on the whole dull and uninspired and little other entertainment offered for the people who did go.
it was a shame really as i was really looking forward to it but i was really quite upset about the lack of supporters in the stands for a major champs.
 
With regards to the lack of showjumping supporters attending I think you will find most of the senior and junior bsja members were all at or making their way up to Scope Championships.

This would account for an awful lot of empty seats!

Also the costs of tickets - most people I have spoken to said too much money.
 
I went on Saturday evening. I would have liked to have spent the entire day there for the money we paid, but there wasn't much to see or do besides the performance! Was not impressed by the Parelli demos one bit lol. No wonder we resorted to drinking all the free beer!

I am not so excited about the Olympics now... I would rather go abroad to watch another big event, the support from the other Europeans at Windsor was impressive (ok so the Dutch had reason to be ecstatic but it was great!)
 
Yes I know what you mean but this ' run through' gives an ideal opportunity, if taken, to learn lessons from this debacle and make changes to ensure the Olympics are well supported.

I think its a big wake up call for the organisers not to be complacent, and assume tickets will be sold and support automatically given.
 
I didn't even know it was on
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until I saw loads of post on here about it being on TV...

I wouldn't have gone anyway, as it is miles away from me, and I wouldn't have been able to get time off work anyway. Those are my excuses
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Horse and Hound have really irritated me in this week's edition. They constantly bang on about how few spectators for the show jumping there were, and question why. What did H&H do to publicise it exactly?? Bugger all! It didn't appear on the website until a few days before the Championships began. Show jumping is lucky to get 4 pages a week dedicated to it in H&H nowadays. They need to help us popularise it again and realise there's more to horse sport than eventing...
 
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