Your Horse Live report.......

Supertrooper

Supertrooper

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 March 2010
Messages
14,072
Visit site
Just home after another good but very tiring YHL :-)

It was VERY busy and I'm very glad that I did get the standard plus ticket cause watched both morning and afternoon demos as found it too busy to go around the trade stands apart from heading straight to the stands I wanted stuff from.

Brought......

Two fleece jumpers
Treats for pony from equilibrium stand
Oil from Lintbells
And a calender.

So not much at all, however that was all that was on my list.

Ben Hobday & Paul Tapners demos were brilliant, Ben got a standing ovation this morning from some of the audience and both riders were informing but very entertaining with good banter. Ben had Shadowman and then a different horse this afternoon who he didn't give a name for. Paul Tapner had a retrained racehorse this morning called Counterparty, she was VERY VERY hot and couldn't stand still. He then had Kilronan this afternoon. Oh and then Stevie the Shetland (Team Hobdays mascot) came in and stole the show :-)

Charlotte had MSJ Freestyle this morning and then taught Alice Oppenheimer on Headleys Delegate this afternoon. Hate to say it but found her slightly smug this morning, enjoyed demo more this afternoon when she was teaching.

There were a lot of people sitting in the black reserved seats (VIP or Standard Plus tickets only) and being moved by stewards, they are checking you've got wristband. If you havn't you can't sit in them unfortunately.

Also if you can go in 4x4 I would as field was pretty churned up by end of day, although they had tractors ready.

Did anyone else go, thoughts?
 
You can never have too many TubTrugs. And what rug has Bramble now got.

Def worth the extra money for the tickets, especially if you want to watch main arena demos more than shop xx
 
How much extra were VIP tickets? He has a Shires 100g combo, nothing fancy. Chester will be annoyed as he has last years design and Bramble is bang on trend!
 
Copperpot said:
How much extra were VIP tickets? He has a Shires 100g combo, nothing fancy. Chester will be annoyed as he has last years design and Bramble is bang on trend!
Click to expand...

Poor Chester, unloved :-(

I got the Standard Plus ticket, £42. Fast track into main arena and you weren't kicked out after each demo xx
 
Im going tomorrow and looking forward to it. Glad to hear they have tractors as going in our BMW.....not had it long and i know they aren't good in snow so am presuming not so good in mud! They really could do to have better parking for such a large event though have to say! Looking forward to seeing Ben Hobday bless him.
 
We did Standard Plus but only saw Charlotte & the Stunt team in the morning, as my instructor/friend was demo-ing in the other arena so supported them in the afternoon. I managed to watch a biomechanics demo too, which was really interesting.

I only go every few years now, but glad I went this year as had a great time despite the weather!
 
Although the parking was a little churned up, my tiny roller skate car handled it ok.

I'm afraid I was the annoying person who left after half an hour of Charlotte's demo this afternoon. I was only able to attend from 1pm and really only went to see her. None of the literature explained a difference between her am/pm demo (they had exactly the same description) but it turns out that she only rides in the am demo. I went there to see a WC ride, so I was a bit sad. I left because I was a bit bored in the demo and figured I may as well use the time to go around the stands.

It was very busy but it doesn't bother me and there were definitely bargains to be had. Huge Le Mieux sale, but the stand is crazy busy.

Hope everyone has a great time tomorrow!
 
Had a fab time! Loved seeing Pippipony - her chocolates are AMAZING!!!!
Ben Hobday and Paul Tapner were excellent. The Stampede Stunt Company were a little disappointing, the chap on the stilts was just plain odd! Horses were lovely though.
Had to be fairly restrained shopping-wise as I'm just about to move house so am watching the pennies, but other than Pippipony's choc I got a furry head-band, some awesome Noble Outfitters gloves and a big tub of treats for Bob :)
 
Just got back and had a fab day, totally exhausted now :) Bought a coat, a stable rug, 2 horsey scarves for xmas pressies, some grooming products and other little bits and pieces. Thought the shopping stands were better than ever this year, started at 10 this morning and apart from stopping for one demo didn't finish till 5.30pm.

Saw Paul and Ben's demo which was interesting and fun, so good to see Ben back in the saddle. They both rode really well and gave some great tips on warming up for the event and schooling at home.

Struggled to get my car out of the car park, parked in car park 3 and had to go up a slope to go out. Managed it on about the 6th attempt, think it will be quite badly churned for tomorrow. As others say, if you can go in 4x4 do, or if not park near the track, or on the right hand side of the car park as you drive in which didn't seem to be as badly churned up.
 
We had a great day on the Westgate stand, very busy and lots of lovely people to talk to. Also we are sponsoring the VIP lounge area this year so enjoyed the lovely lunch provided. Another tiring day tomorrow!
 
I had a fab day, did lots of shopping and spent far too much money. The le Meuix stand was incredibly busy as usual and lots of decent stuff to be had, they have masses of the stealth boots on sale. There are some good bargains to be had around the show and I got some good information from various stands.
I got - bridle, lemeiux xc boots, lemeiux saddlecloth, stirrup leathers, dog coat, tail guard, coat spray, suppliments, over reach boots.

I too went to the PM Ben Hobday demo which was excellent, very entertaining and great to see their relationships with the horses.

I also went to the PM Charlotte duJardin demo and tbh I was not impressed at all. I wanted to see her ride but she was teaching a student and if i'm perfectly honest Charlotte came across as rude and condescending towards the rider, at one point calling her downward transition 'disgusting'. It didnt endear me to her at all and I dont think i'll be rushing to see another of her demos.

We left at about 5:30 and there were a lot of people getting stuck in the carpark mud and the queue to get out was massive, but being in a landrover i drove over the grass straight to the exit (sorry everyone i know it was bad british queueing etiquette!)

All in all a good day, i' sure those going tomorrow will have a great time.
 
I had a long long day got there at 10 and left at 6. Totally EXHAUSTED now. My friend hadn't been before and just couldn't get over the scale of it. Only saw CD demo this morning, missed firat few mins as huge queues. little bits of interesting stuff but It said she was on a young horse in the info, but she mentioned she doesn't do sitting trot on 4/55yr old's, yet did lots So?
seemed very advanced for a young horse. Mostly same old, however you have seen before (mmaybe I'm just old

I didn't get to go last year so don't know if the following were done then, loved the new ladies, the walk through from 1st hall to watch was the large portacabin
d
no freebie tokens in the programme this year (shame)

Did have some nice buys though even though I didn't need much the 2 of us got

2 stable rugs, best buys were on HZONE
TREEHOUSE did 20% off Free jumps stirrups (if you asked)
Eileen Douglas had P2 air jackets £199-299
Horse sense had some bargains

One stall was selling a bucket and 3 hymalayn salt locks for £10 BUT another did 4 bigger ones and a bucket for £10

Just chaps have amazing long fleece lined chaps for £50 in different sizes and lengths. Lovely winter gloves in soft shell for £15.

4 pretty scarves for £15 where most places were 2 £10. Same stall got a nice cardigan for sister for £10

Bought another eqiami (sold mine, wished I hadnt)

I am disabled so parked nearby and made 4 trips back to car with shopping.. thankfully it meant I could have a rest too!

Wished they had had the simulators with computer though!

Can't believe we missed both of Ben demos (friend enjoying shopping too much lol)
 
Last edited:
Paint Me Proud said:
I had a fab day, did lots of shopping and spent far too much money. The le Meuix stand was incredibly busy as usual and lots of decent stuff to be had, they have masses of the stealth boots on sale. There are some good bargains to be had around the show and I got some good information from various stands.
I got - bridle, lemeiux xc boots, lemeiux saddlecloth, stirrup leathers, dog coat, tail guard, coat spray, suppliments, over reach boots.

I too went to the PM Ben Hobday demo which was excellent, very entertaining and great to see their relationships with the horses.

I also went to the PM Charlotte duJardin demo and tbh I was not impressed at all. I wanted to see her ride but she was teaching a student and if i'm perfectly honest Charlotte came across as rude and condescending towards the rider, at one point calling her downward transition 'disgusting'. It didnt endear me to her at all and I dont think i'll be rushing to see another of her demos.

We left at about 5:30 and there were a lot of people getting stuck in the carpark mud and the queue to get out was massive, but being in a landrover i drove over the grass straight to the exit (sorry everyone i know it was bad british queueing etiquette!)

All in all a good day, i' sure those going tomorrow will have a great time.
Click to expand...

Completely agree with you regarding Charlotte. Zero personality, didn't crack a smile and presented herself as a right miserable so and so. I'm nowhere near to being a fluffy bunny but I thought her attitude towards her rider was horrid. My friend whispered to me 'jeez, she'll probably top herself when she gets back to the horsebox!'.

I was the girl on the front row, with the tall blonde girl, who snuck out part way through ;)
 
Mongoose11 said:
Completely agree with you regarding Charlotte. Zero personality, didn't crack a smile and presented herself as a right miserable so and so. I'm nowhere near to being a fluffy bunny but I thought her attitude towards her rider was horrid. My friend whispered to me 'jeez, she'll probably top herself when she gets back to the ;)
Click to expand...

Me thinks Miss CD has got too big for her riding boots :D
 
Mongoose11 said:
Completely agree with you regarding Charlotte. Zero personality, didn't crack a smile and presented herself as a right miserable so and so. I'm nowhere near to being a fluffy bunny but I thought her attitude towards her rider was horrid. My friend whispered to me 'jeez, she'll probably top herself when she gets back to the horsebox!'.

I was the girl on the front row, with the tall blonde girl, who snuck out part way through ;)
Click to expand...

Loads of people in my stand left from about half way through so I obviously wasnt the only one who wasnt feeling th love, if i hadnt been with friends I would have left too. She was a complete sour-puss and I was glad when it finished.
I wasnt taken with her comment on how Carl likes to turn the younger horses out all together but she doesnt agree with it - the way she said it came across as though she was a spoilt diva who didnt want her precious horses coming into contact with each other or grass for that matter!
Maybe she was just having a bad day....
 
Had a fab day, spent loads. Thought there was better bargains this year than last. Got a gorgeous Lauria Garelli saddlecloth for a tenner which I'm so chuffed with.


Didn't see Charlotte, but sounds like she should carry on letting Carl do the talking and let her riding speak for itself.
 
Well, just back from Sunday and as everyone else pretty tired. I had a long list of things to get but didn't get much of anything really.

I felt really sorry for the 2 guys on the Car Park 5, heaven knows where the queue of cars was backed up to! I had taken notice of the warning about mud and took 4 x 4 but it dried during the day so I doubt if anyone had trouble getting off tonights. I watched the Ben and Paul demo and found that intersting then whizzed back to see Jason Webb's demon with 2 3 year olds. Also interesting and picked up some schooling ideas. I watched the Tellington Touch lady in the afternoon too.

Overall I liked the new layout, trying to spread the spectators around. I talked to a few standholders and picked up some useful information. I looked for a rug but couldn't find what I liked, I missed out on buckets and trugs as I left it too late, I didn't see a girth I liked, nor a dog collar or a present to go airmail and forgot to buy some mint. I did buy a lovely sheepskin saddle pad, a laundry bag - wanted one for ages - some high viz things, so that was it really. I didn't see anyone I knew, which is jolly surprising.

There seemed to be very little new stuff - apart from a lady selling cycling jackets with lights that I liked and lots of others must have liked too as she had sold out. Even more so, it seemed to be just lots of stands selling cut price things.
Some old favourites weren't there, I suppose people retire or give up. It is a good place to go if you have a shopping list, but I didn't enjoy it as much as usual.
 
Had a really good time at YHL this year. I was helping with the Intelligent Horsemanship demo and we worked with some lovely rescued horses from Horseworld, with some spooky obstacles in hand and ridden. I thought it felt like a lot of the key messages from different demonstrations fitted together really well.

Just to add a couple of thoughts about Charlotte - this morning I watched her teaching demo, which I really enjoyed, and I was pleased she made clear points about horses needing turn out and down time, including hacking and field time, and not working young horses too hard, keeping their schooling sessions short and keeping them keen about their work. She specifically contrasted this to the idea that horses are too precious to turn out.

Also, for those who didn't see her in yesterdays Q and A, when asked what her biggest challenge has been, she said it was pubic speaking, teaching in front of audiences etc. Not an excuse as such if she was rude to her rider, I think teachers really do need to treat students with respect, but it might be there is more too it than her being 'too big for her boots' - I certainly didn't get that impression of her anyway, but then I didn't see that demo so I'm not speaking as a Charlotte expert here! When she was talking about having to deal with such a lot of public attention, not always positive, as well as the preparations for Rio and all the difficulties that entails that I would never have thought of, I did think about what a lot of challenges our top athletes face aside from anything to do with what they can produce on in the ring.

Also caught some bits of other demos and they looked interesting and entertaining. Shopping was totally packed, with quite a lot of really good bargains toward the second half of Sunday - but do you know what? We couldn't find a pair of bog standard normal wellies anywhere! Lots and lots of posh wellies available, but we couldn't find an old fashioned green heavy duty pair for just slogging through mud. Though I am pleased I managed to avoid the temptation of buying surpless rugs for my boys! This took real self control! :)
 
RosieJM said:
Just to add a couple of thoughts about Charlotte - this morning I watched her teaching demo, which I really enjoyed, and I was pleased she made clear points about horses needing turn out and down time, including hacking and field time, and not working young horses too hard, keeping their schooling sessions short and keeping them keen about their work. She specifically contrasted this to the idea that horses are too precious to turn out.

Also, for those who didn't see her in yesterdays Q and A, when asked what her biggest challenge has been, she said it was pubic speaking, teaching in front of audiences etc. Not an excuse as such if she was rude to her rider, I think teachers really do need to treat students with respect, but it might be there is more too it than her being 'too big for her boots' - I certainly didn't get that impression of her anyway, but then I didn't see that demo so I'm not speaking as a Charlotte expert here! When she was talking about having to deal with such a lot of public attention, not always positive, as well as the preparations for Rio and all the difficulties that entails that I would never have thought of, I did think about what a lot of challenges our top athletes face aside from anything to do with what they can produce on in the ring.
Click to expand...

Perhaps they had had a few complaints. I know it's stressful public speaking but if she finds it hard perhaps she should stick to doing the riding and not so much of the talking.
 
you guys do know that Charlotte and Alice are great friends and the "disgusting transition" comment was friendly banter?!

i have a good working relationship with my clients and we dont take ourselves too seriously, i will often say something was "rubbish/pants/horrendous ....lets do it again" etc.

i think you may be getting all self righteous about jokes between friends..........................
 
I went yesterday and thought Charlotte warmed up as the demo went on. Although I was disappointed not to see her ride, the horse was amazing and I found it helpful how she got Alice to demo the right and wrong way of doing certain movements (like a shoulder-in). I caught the end of the skinny XC fences demo in the Nettex arena - wow those girls could ride! Was a bit disappointed by the shopping and only bought some gloves in the end. There seemed to be very few reasonably priced 6ft rugs available (I would have been fine if my pony was 5ft3!) and I didn't really get the impression that there were many stalls offering a 'show price'. Still had a lovely day though.
 
I went to YHL for the first time, much busier than I had imagined but it was very good! I purchased; POLITE tabard, clipper blades, orange equisafety bodywarmer, orange hoody from horse-viz, treats from feedmark, fur headband from Ryedale, speedskip from Colne Saddlery, squidy gel hoofpick and rope showing halter. My sister got a gorgeous anky coat, a hoody, horse treats and wellies.

Although the prices were good, I didn't think anything I purchased was really a show price (bar the polite tabard but that was cheap because it was broken - although fixable) in reality I probably only saved the postage of the items, so i'm not sure where that really leaves me for 'bargains' after the price of the ticket and the cost of lunch.

The free stuff was nice though it was mostly paper things, met a lot of nice people. Got a pack of copper coated horseshoe nails from hoof health to try. Chatted to the FRC about them. Was also nice to see some of the places I have ordered online from - bold box who kitted my yard out in haybars.

Only demo I went to was the stunt riders, who I thought were very good. I think I may watch more demo's next year.

And as no one has mentioned the rehoming village yet I am now in love with CAM the grey cob from the blue cross and Jethro the mule!
 
Prince33Sp4rkle said:
i think you may be getting all self righteous about jokes between friends..........................
Click to expand...

I'm not getting self righteous at all. The demo I watched gave me a bad impression of CD - and the 'disgusting' comment, even if it was just 'friendly banter', did not come across to the public that way.

I was purely commenting on what I saw and how it made me feel personally.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top