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Post by hopenot on Jul 3, 2007 10:04:38 GMT
rumours are spreading that rihs may have to be cancelled as the ground is just so bad.... anyone else heard anything?
Edited heading to show rihs is going ahead and will now lock this thread. Feel free to open a more general rihs thread if you want.
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Post by veryold on Jul 3, 2007 10:18:44 GMT
I really don't think they would cancel a show that is still 3 weeks away. We would only need a few days of dry weather and a place like Hickstead would be fine
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Post by hopenot on Jul 3, 2007 10:50:40 GMT
But the main ring is meant to be really really bad after the derby!
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Post by ferret on Jul 3, 2007 11:07:31 GMT
i remember a few years ago it rained at RIHS all week ....it was like a mud sloppy bath the conditions by the sunday were dangerous ....and there is also the bridge over the stream to think about too ...how would we get across it if the stream bursts its banks ? they must have to start thinking bout these things now as its not a show you could cancel at last minute ..... God i hope its not cancelled
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Post by ickelford on Jul 3, 2007 11:10:36 GMT
Be careful what you say, lets not start viscious rumours that could cause nightmares for the administration of the show.
IF the RIHS was to be cancelled I'm sure they'd do everything to let people know in advance, and would do everything they could to not have to cancel it at all. Fingers crossed all is well at the showground and this horrendous weather eases off for the sake of all the upcoming shows!
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Post by Concerned on Jul 3, 2007 11:10:52 GMT
Have emailed Hickstead to ask what the position is. Will post the reply if and when i get it.
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Post by fmm on Jul 3, 2007 11:12:06 GMT
Just called them, and they laughed and said it was definitely on.
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Post by ferret on Jul 3, 2007 11:14:33 GMT
thats good ....lets all pray for some drywindy weather :-)
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Post by false alarm on Jul 3, 2007 12:12:38 GMT
Just contacted Catherine May at Hickstead and she says the RIHS will definatly go ahead and extensive work will go into getting the ground back to normal panic over
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Post by judge 1 on Jul 3, 2007 19:33:47 GMT
I pass hickstead every day, and will keep an eye on the ground nearer the time, and let everyone know. On Sunday for the dfs derby they kept the main ring free all day to preserve the ground for the jumping. Just before the class the heavens opened and it lashed down, we were considering going home as we have seen very nasty accidents in the past involving the derby bank in wet weather, and didn't want to stay and watch a potential disaster. However, the sun came out about 20 mins before the class, and considering there had been 4 inches of rain in 48 hours the ground, although squelchy, proved well drained enough for the horses to jump, and there were no accidents as a result of the ground. The rest of the showground was a quagmire and i am still trying to clean up my beloved dubbary's! I am confident RIHS will go ahead, they may have to rearrange things a bit as they did for the last day at the derby, but the show, i am sure, will go on.
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kilty
Full Member
Posts: 380
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Post by kilty on Jul 3, 2007 19:41:47 GMT
Like Overbent, I was there on Sunday. Although it was very muddy (my poor poor Dubarrys were relegated to the bathtub when I got home, that was AFTER a powerhose at the yard), I know that Hickstead are well aware of the looming RIHS and were taking precautions regarding all of the rings throughout the Derby meet. They added extra breaks between each hunter class and the championship to assess the ground situation and as Overbent has mentioned, they moved everything out of the main ring until the Derby itself. Hickstead (as anyone who has had the delights of traipsing from the lorry park and back numerous times a day will know) is very hilly and drains well, plus the main arena has just had a new drainage system installed underneath it. Roll on the RIHS - just perhaps bring wellies if we don't get some sun soon
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Post by web feet on Jul 3, 2007 19:54:21 GMT
If conditions stay the same it should be postponed. Last week was extremely dangerous. Where was all the health and safety apparent at other shows? On the Friday 7 yr old children riding down to the river lawn ring were trying to avoid an old gate (which just happended to be left lying around on the ground ??) and walked along the river bank, 2 lost their hind legs and nearly ended up in the river. 1 lady was lunging her horse and lost her footing and was dragged thru the mud which if it wasnt so scarey would have been funny. I heard that a horse box tipped over being towed out (might just be a rumour?) and just trying to leave ones stable meant incurring trench like conditions. No lighting in the stable area meant that one couldnt see the ground conditions and adjust accordingly. One lady tried to avoid a loose horse, jumped out of the way, lost her wellies and ended in the river (ok only her legs but if that had been a child?) Children were falling over and in danger of being run over by cars being pushed, lorries being towed or slidding into them. Where was the gravel that should have been put down on walkways and in stable passage ways? The American's would have laughed at us all. Bins were over flowing with rubbish and dont even get me started on the loo's!! However a big 'well done and thank you' to the men on the bridge, stable gate and parking for keeping their sense of humour, wishing all the children 'good luck' and generally being very helpful in what must have been a hellish week for them. I love Hickstead but come on, its time for a re think on facilities. Hard standing for parking and improved stable area, LIGHTS!! bins emptied REGULARLY, proper fencing around the river, old gates picked up...need I go on? Glastonbury festival looked more inviting and less expensive!!
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Post by false alarm on Jul 3, 2007 20:22:10 GMT
Come on web the conditions we are having are causing havoc everywere the RIHS made huge improvements last year the fabulous new working in arena must have cost an arm and leg the toilets at the top were improved for the first time in years the horrible stench had gone due to new drains and toilets i personally think that the RIHS is second to none and if the sun is shining there is no place on earth i would rather be
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Post by Chardonnay on Jul 3, 2007 20:42:40 GMT
Hickstead is an amazing showground and is continuing to improve facilities. I agree that there are huge improvements needed but over the last few years there have been the additions of two new schools, one which is bigger than some villages! Also the main arena has had a complete new drainage system put in. The stable doors have been replaced in the permanent blocks. Lighting in the stable area would be useful but other shows don't normally have any(unless i couldn't find the switch). I'm sure the parking will be improved soon. It definately needs to be. I have to add that we compete at all the major shows held at Hickstead and have done for years. We have always enjoyed the venue, even in the days when you neeeded a true hunter to cope with the going. I, personally found the staff particularly helpful last weekend and we must all remember how terrible the weather has been. Suggestions for improvement would be useful if sent to the main office at Hickstead and not just posted on this site.
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Post by web feet on Jul 3, 2007 20:59:28 GMT
Yeah your right both of you..whats the point of even discussing it....durr...thought that was what this web site was about!! You 2 seem to be pretty active....and just for the record..I have competed at top county shows for over 40 yrs winning regularly at HOYS so pretty much know what I am talking about! I have also judged regularly at Hickstead. As for lighting in stables ...it is 20th Century!!! 3 counties, Birm, Gt York, Arena Uk..Newk and Nott...need I go on? and they didnt charge over £100 for a stable. But your right...lets just not have an opinion! Baaaaa!!!!! enjoy R.I.H.S . It will take a child being injured before things change.
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Post by web feet on Jul 3, 2007 21:47:28 GMT
Love the showground, love Hickstead, fond memories, love the staff, goose bumps also etc etc etc....just think it was dangerous...amazing what we all get used to...how can you possibly disagree with 2 ponies nearly falling in the river? Thats serious stuff...excuse me for having an opinion...(and think I did mention the staff being fab). Perhaps if your pony had put its foot in the old gate that was lying hidden under the mud on the route down to river lawn you might not be so positive. What was it doing there anyway? And Just for the record...the stable manager who works at just about every county show in the country was also horrified...but as I said ...will take child being hurt. and yes I did withdraw my ponies but wish I hadnt taken day off work, put £120 diesel in lorry, paid £100 each for stables to turn up at a venue so totally unprepared for the weather...in memory this is not the first time so cant say they were unprepared...speak to the stable manager..surely he is entitled to an opinion? he was very concerned about the safety of all. As I said ..was it too much trouble to ask them to empty the bins and put some shingle down in front of the stables? I repeat.its amazing what we all put up with!
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Post by Chardonnay on Jul 3, 2007 22:56:10 GMT
To web feet. Noone expects you or anyone to put up with old gates or the danger of the stream so no need to be offensive. My suggestion to contact the office at Hickstead was to bring the attention to the organisers in order that they are aware of the problems. Of course you're entitled to an opinion and that is what this site is about but if you don't contact people directly then all the moaning in the world won't change a thing!!!!
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