Using equine transport service for shows?

[atropa]

Hi all, looking to attend an arena event next month but I don’t have my own transport. I have been in contact with an equine transport company who offer a drop off/pick up service for shows, and was just wondering if anyone had any experience of this? Usually I would hire a box to drive myself, but unfortunately it’s not available on this day.
The main drawbacks I can see are not having somewhere to tie up, or an area to store gear/get changed, and the fact that pick up times will be prearranged so if class times run on it might cause trouble. On the plus side, it is cheaper than if I hired the self drive van, and someone else gets to do the driving! Is it doable if I take someone else with me as groom/horse holder, and use a car as a base to hold tack/gear? Or is it more hassle than it’s worth?
Thanks

 

[Shay]

I've not done it myself -but others have and it is do-able if you are organiased and have help.

You'll need a large car to keep your bits and pieces and give you a base. You often can't tie up so you are going to be holding ned all the time. Realistically this is going to mean 2 people. It is a pain trying to find tack, tack up etc - let alone walk the course or go to the loo - without a second person. Nowhere to change (unless the car is a landrover I suppose!) so you have to plan for that. You can put your show kit on underneath a loose tracksuit or similar - but it can make for a miserable day if it is raining. Nowhere to put a haynet so either hold one for ned to eat, or tie it tight and put in on the ground for him - bearing in mind someone else is holding the leadrope so he should be spotted before he tangles his feet or anything! Of have loads of chop in a bucket he can play with.

And make sure you have a plan with the driver for what will be charged if a class over runs. That can get very expensive VERY quickly!

 

[asmp]

When my daughter has attended a local show she has hacked there and I meet her in the car with any extra stuff she may need. Biggest pain is having to hold the horse all the time but it is doable. Just remember (and hope the owner of the car doesn't mind) to take a waterproof rug in case it rains.

 

[atropa]

Thank you for the tip about the rug asmp, hadn't thought of that but great idea!
Shay that's great, thanks for the help..that's the general plan I had in mind, and I definitely would NOT be trying it without at least one, possibly two other people there to help. It is a faff but unfortunately until I get my own transport I have to be creative with ways to get to shows if I want to compete.

 

[EmmaB]

I've used a horse transporter although she usually stays, but have also hacked to shows, alone and with others, it does help to have a helper there with a car for tack etc but it depends on weather and how you plan your day really. Ive hacked there alone done 2 consecutive classes and hacked back so not much hanging around.