Vale View Equestrian

[Squiggles on Paper]

Thinking about going there in a few weeks for the blue chips qualifier (after our Blewbury was just a disaster - way too small and stressful). Is it nice? Are there 'spooky' jumps? And is it usually quite big/hard courses (i thought that Blewbury had a very weird double just two strides off the wall and the course was quite up to height) Also, We travelled 1hr 40mins (it was supposed to be 1hr 30mins but there was an accident on the M4) to Blewbury, and Vale View is 1hr 55mins (according to Google Maps) away, do you think this is too far to travel for two classes? I would be doing the 90cm Open and British Novice. My horse travels perfectly fine and is happy to do whatever but what do you think, Thanks!

 

[Britestar]

Cant comment on venue but distance no problem. Will happily travel up to 4 hrs each way in a day and compete.

 

[Squiggles on Paper]

Cant comment on venue but distance no problem. Will happily travel up to 4 hrs each way in a day and compete.

Thats the same thing my friend said, just worried I will get there and it will be a waste of money but you don't know unless you try it So annoying I take horse taxis everywhere, really bumps up the price :/

 

[rowy]

I haven't competed at BS there myself but jumps are pretty spooky and very up to height. Surfaces are all great and lots of big warm up area. Competition itself is run in very large indoor school but its pretty light. Seating area all down one end and they sometimes have blue ribbons up on the walls lol.

 

[Squiggles on Paper]

I haven't competed at BS there myself but jumps are pretty spooky and very up to height. Surfaces are all great and lots of big warm up area. Competition itself is run in very large indoor school but its pretty light. Seating area all down one end and they sometimes have blue ribbons up on the walls lol.

0.0 I just saw on an old thread that the jumps weren't really up to height? Do you think it's worth travelling that long for it (I've jumped my boy over spooky jumps, i get more worried about the heigh - especially over widths) I'm a bit of a wimp you see

 

[Golden_Match_II]

I haven't done BS at Vale View, but it's really nice there, and living 20mins away from Blewbury can guarantee it a trillion times nicer - they're incomparible!

The fences are brighter than Blewbury I'd say, though I don't know about 'spookiness' really. The arena is less dingy so that makes it all a bit more inviting.

It's hard to say about height, as sometimes Blewbury is small, and sometimes is builds big, and I havent done a BS courseat VV.

I'd be more inclined to go to VV than Blewbury if both were within reasonable distance (sadly VV is a bit far for us to do regularly)

 

[Squiggles on Paper]

Vale View wouldn't be a regular place but its a qualifier and i kinda want to qualify Im just worrying about the height/width of the fences and are the jumps so incredibly scary, looked it up on youtube and they looked alright....

 

[lucemoose]

Whereabouts in LDN are you travelling from? I dont want to be a Debbie Downer but why dont you stay local and pick up your AM quals or get the later BC quals (Sands, Duckhurst as they are really normal non spooky venues) rather than bump up your costs travelling. Get some DCs then go back out chasing qualifiers?

 

[Squiggles on Paper]

Whereabouts in LDN are you travelling from? I dont want to be a Debbie Downer but why dont you stay local and pick up your AM quals or get the later BC quals (Sands, Duckhurst as they are really normal non spooky venues) rather than bump up your costs travelling. Get some DCs then go back out chasing qualifiers?

Hertfordshire I just don't like leaving it until last minute, The local place is patchetts really and right now they are just doing Dodson & Horrell and i want to do some British Novice/Discovery if he's feeling good.

 

[BYR]

Vale View is really nice, they always have different course builders so can't comment on the height issue as obviously it depends who's building, but generally they are nice well built courses.

I wouldnt say the fences are anymore scary than other venues. The surface is nice, there's two warm up arenas, a large car park and most importantly a nice cafe! We are only 30mins away but I would travel to vv even if it was further as the facilities are the best in the area.

Good luck if you go we might see you there!

 

[Squiggles on Paper]

Is it usually quite busy?

 

[rowy]

As others have said, I think it probably depends on who is building it.
Usually very busy there, especially at the weekend.
Jumps are pretty scary if u aren't used to fillers but if your horse is ok it shouldnt have that much problem.

 

[MrsMozart]

D1 has jumped there. Unaffiliated. One warmup was being used for dressage, which meant the other one was packed and scary! I don't remember if jumps were up to height or over, reasonably bright though. Don't remember lots of scared refusals from the horses, so probably nothing drastic

Nice people, good cafe, decent if a bit small parking, good shop, easy access

Arena UK is also that neck of the woods and a good venue

 

[KatB]

BSJA at Vale is nice. I've never jumped a small course there, but theyre always nice and flow well! They normally have 2 warm ups for Bsja, and yes it will be busy!!

 

[lou_lou]

Why don't you try Houghton Hall its about 1hr30 from Herts and they have a Blue Chip Novice qualifier on the 1st December? I haven't been to VV and would only travel that far if I thought I was in with a great chance its a lot of money otherwise!

 

[DW Team]

What about Arena UK. Very easy run from Herts to get to straight up A1.

 

[Supanova]

I went to vale view in early October for the 1m 2nd rounds amateur. I travelled 2 hours to get there. Now everything is personal opinion of course, but i thought the ring and jumps were spooky and up to height.

I don't know if was just the course builder on that day but I thought the 1m warm up class was actually quite unfair given it was supposed to be a warm up! There was a really spooky filler as the first fence in a very awkward position off the wall. The fences were also up to height and wide. There are quite a few spooky fillers such as rainbows. The qualifier itself wasn't as bad as the warm up though. My mare is spooky so it was all a bit too much for her, although I manged to get round the qualifier with just one stop.

On the plus side the warm up facilities and place itself are great!

Sorry that probably doesn't help that much!

 

[Squiggles on Paper]

Why don't you try Houghton Hall its about 1hr30 from Herts and they have a Blue Chip Novice qualifier on the 1st December? I haven't been to VV and would only travel that far if I thought I was in with a great chance its a lot of money otherwise!

I was planning on Houghton Hall but it seems like I might be away during the time of it :/

 

[xMoodyMarex]

Vale View is a great place, plently of large warm up arenas esc. I've competed there once, but it was a very long time ago and I can't really remember much about the course lol....sorry I can't be of much help, but just thought I'd say what a nice place it is

 

[Squiggles on Paper]

What about Arena UK. Very easy run from Herts to get to straight up A1.

Im only looking to go because it is a Blue Chip Qualifier, otherwise I would rather not go over 1hr30mins (i can go to patchetts, addington and some essex show ) But when they hold a big show I will go there

 

[Squiggles on Paper]

Vale View is a great place, plently of large warm up arenas esc. I've competed there once, but it was a very long time ago and I can't really remember much about the course lol....sorry I can't be of much help, but just thought I'd say what a nice place it is

Well, at least i know for sure it is a nice place, unlike blewbury haha. at my old yard i was only about 45mins/1hr away from crofton and pycombe and places like that. bit different up here though