Trailblazers finals

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ellis9905

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So my daughter has qualified for the trailblazers dressage finals at stoneleigh. I was wondering if anyone could give me any indication as to what the cost is likely to be? Do you have to be there all 3 days? Can you camp in a tent?
Any hidden extras we have to pay for ??
My daughter is super excited and I don't want to rain on her parade but I need a rough price to prepare myself !!

Thanks for any answers :)
 
Day 1 is optional - just warm up classes. Day 2 is the first round and day 3 the second round/consolation cases.

The costs are entry fees (I think £70ish but not 100% sure), stabling, hookups/accommodation if not camping, bedding for the horse etc.

All in my trip last year cost me about £500-£700. That includes lorry hire at £120. Not cheap! I was doing two classes though.
 
I used to always go but so expensive, I did Cricklands ( David Broome Centre ) last year and it was is brilliant and 1/2 the cost with stabling, camping etc included for the full duration. Sunshine Tour Finals at Hickstead were also amazing.
 
Meandtheboys said:
I used to always go but so expensive, I did Cricklands ( David Broome Centre ) last year and it was is brilliant and 1/2 the cost with stabling, camping etc included for the full duration. Sunshine Tour Finals at Hickstead were also amazing.
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What annoyed us was the way they kept the costs low profile until after the first and second rounds. The whole series (we only did the dressage) was and remains ideal for horses/riders at the lower levels to have fun and for those who do not want to go down the BD route. We still compete at the trailblazers shows, there are a lot in the Midlands, but only as education for young horses, not with a view to go to the finals.
 
Yep I agree AA, Ive only ever done the early rounds with my old boy but a friend I used to go to comps with went all the way and was thrilled to be there, ended up costing her (her mother actually) something in the region of £400 and the whole experience wasn't really worth it! This was about eight years ago now. OP if you can afford it then let her do it for the experience as I know I would if I had a bottomless pit of money!
 
Thanks for all the comments- I do agre it's very naughty that no where on there website is there any indication of cost! Whilst I don't expect it to be cheap it is also aimed at the more amateur riders... Problem is once you've qualifies for the finals you wanna go- and my 12 yr old daughter is so excited by reaching the finals I couldn't burst her bubble- she has plenty of yrs to become cynical over how much money the organisers are making etc when she's old like me ����
 
ellis9905 said:
Thanks for all the comments- I do agre it's very naughty that no where on there website is there any indication of cost! Whilst I don't expect it to be cheap it is also aimed at the more amateur riders... Problem is once you've qualifies for the finals you wanna go- and my 12 yr old daughter is so excited by reaching the finals I couldn't burst her bubble- she has plenty of yrs to become cynical over how much money the organisers are making etc when she's old like me ����
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You sound like the best mum in the world. Good luck and have fun.
 
I answered your question on the Tack Room thread but I will do it again here. I did the champs last year (after doing the showjumping ones many years ago!). The whole series has been taken over by a new company (they organise all the BD champs) and the atmosphere, organisation and prices are now MILES better then what they were! I did 6 tests over 3 days (I qualified for Nov and Ele champs), camped in my tent and all that including food I probably spent 250-300 pounds which for a 4 day stay and 6 tests is really not that bad! the championship entry fee was about £50 and that was for 2 tests, an area festival tests is £35 just for one! so much cheaper then affiliated. And you no longer have to pay the 'maintenance fee!)


They had made much more of the arenas using full size/height boards, the same judge boxes they use for the nationals, flag, flowers and an 'archway'. The food is now outside catered is in a tent next to the arena's so you can watch tests while eating. They also have a 'masterclass demo' which was really good. All in all I have to say that now it is totally worth it!.

It was like a mini BD champs :)
 
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