What's happened to BS on East coast of Scotland

T

tantallon

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 January 2006
Messages
131
Location
Scotland
Visit site
What a pain - Howe Country Centre, so I hear, are stopping running BS - that's pants - my nearest BS showjumping is getting further and further away. When I moved to where we are I could jump every month in the winter at Gleneagles, Devon Leisure and Howe (was Dabbs then) all within a reasonable distance (under an hour) so not too expensive. Now there's nothing nearby apart from SNEC and Kingsbarns which doesn't seem to run that regularly - other than that I got flippin miles to drive to either Rowallan, Ingliston or Aberdeen - all over two hours away - which is a bit hefty on fuel for an amateur show jumper - as there's absolutely nothing now in my immediate area. What has happened to East Coast Scotland show jumping -is it just me or is it dying a bit of a death :(
 
I used to live in the Borders and go down to Carlise and Cumbria lots to jump - always used to plenty on at places like Blackdyke etc.
I'm not sure of the ins and outs of Howe's decision and sure there's more to it than this but gather that part of the reason is the fact that BS make them book dates so far in advance (think that it's a year) and pay for them doesn't help show centres. And they can be pretty inflexible when it comes to the classes they want to run - Sure that BS could make it more attractive and economical for centres to run BS show days otherwise can see more centres deciding that unaffiliated is a more viable option for them.
 
I hadn't heard that & was talking to some people recently who I'm surprised didnt know. I'm sure that Kingsbarns would be likely to pick up the regular slots that Howe have so you would have there and Snec in the middle/east. Both seem to be very busy and popular with competitors.
 
measles said:
I hadn't heard that & was talking to some people recently who I'm surprised didnt know. I'm sure that Kingsbarns would be likely to pick up the regular slots that Howe have so you would have there and Snec in the middle/east. Both seem to be very busy and popular with competitors.
Click to expand...

I do hope that they do pick the dates up - would be good otherwise will be an expensive hobby from here trailing over to the west coast
 
I think Kaz who runs Kingsbarns will jump in and provide more. I used to live in Cumbria too and am sad to see venue's like Blackdyke stop runnning shows. I'm surprised howe has stopped although I haven't been since it was taken over from Andrew and Dominique (don't BS anymore)
 
Last edited:
Its such a shame, i would love to do more BS with my guy but everywhere is just to far for me, SNEC is the nearest and its still an hour and fifteen mins away. :(
 
I haven't heard that Howe is stopping BS and they def have the Disco second rounds in July so would be surprised at that move!
Kaz does not run KB anymore ;)
I jump BS and live in East Lothian and i jump every other weekend and we manage fine going to Ingilston and Rowallan frequently, just means that i have to win more to finance it ;)
Q
 
Just as bad up here in Aberdeen - we only have ONE venue which runs BSJA regularily now, luckily they are excellent and are holding lots of dates, 3 days etc. but otherwise that's it. Loanhead rarely run BSJA anymore, I think they only do the City of Aberdeen show and thats it. There's BSJA held at Turriff (only 1.25m though) and Keith Show. So basically I do all my BSJA at Cabin, its only 30 mins from me (which when you leave in Scotland is very close!). Next venue I guess would be DABBS which is a 3 hour drive.

I remember when I first joined BSJA, about 10 years ago when there used to be loads in a class and a few more venues. Nowadays numbers have dwindled and we only see lots per class when its a big 2/3 day show with qualifiers. People cant be bothered to travel anymore I dont think.
 
Gosh I hope that's not true, Howes is by far the closest to me at around 45mins so it's my main venue. I've been enjoying BS so much that I'd pretty much decided to 'play' at unaff eventing this year and concentrate on BS and possibly BD. Howes stopping would put a real spanner in the works to my plans. Does anyone think we could persuade Jane to start running BS at Gleneagles again?
 
Surely this is a case for us all getting on to Lucy? What is the point in having a developement officer if she is not ensuring that we have places to jump?
 
I'd heard that if a deal was struck Howe would be for sale but not about BS. However the sale comment may have just been gossip so please dont assume it is accurate. I imagine yesterdays show will have been quieter as the sportjumping was on at Gleneagles so perhaps the no BS was an off the cuff comment?
 
Dabbs are stopping BS? Where did you hear that? It feels like our yard decamps down there pretty much every other weekend to compete! I think they make more money out of their unaffiliated mid-week and Sunday competitions though, so I guess it makes sense.

It's just seems to have become part of it, all the travelling. When it's not Howe, the YM and about 5 neddies set off for Ingliston, Rowallan, Kingsbarns and SNEC. The Juniors are now tending to do the same whereas before they were more restricted, not going as far as Rowallan or Ingliston from East Fife.
 
I hope Howe carries on BS as i want to compete when we get a box sorted and Howe is only 15 mins away from me so if they did would mean over an hour journey to anywhere else :(
 
There are plans to run more Sportjumping events in Scotland this year. If you add the Sportjumping Facebook page as a friend you will be kept up to date.
 
measles said:
Sportjumping is a great new(ish) initiative but the riders having to be 18 and over restricts some of us from taking part :(
Click to expand...
The reason for the 18 age limit is because of the betting side of things. We are trying to be flexible, and will look at lowering the age to 16, but we have a concern about too much pressure being put on young riders if someone is betting on them, particularly if perhaps they are just out of ponies and have only started to compete on horses. Your thoughts would be welcome !
 
sportjumping said:
The reason for the 18 age limit is because of the betting side of things. We are trying to be flexible, and will look at lowering the age to 16, but we have a concern about too much pressure being put on young riders if someone is betting on them, particularly if perhaps they are just out of ponies and have only started to compete on horses. Your thoughts would be welcome !
Click to expand...

I did suspect it was because of the betting and the point you make is very valid. My 16yo is huge and has been jumping horses since he was 14yo and he would have liked to take part but I do understand that you have taken a very reasonable stance. There was at least one rider entered who is the same age as him which was a bit surprising but I also understand it must be hard to police that aspect.

Here's to the success of the initiative and we'll certainly support it in a couple of years :)
 
I was at Howe last night for bsja and was told by 'a very reliable source' that they are stopping after the summer.

There should be another Wed night BSJA next month but when I paid my bill I was told that it would only run if more interest than last night.

Such a shame as it's a good venue
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top