Best society for M&M workers?

[vikki85]

I want to do some M&M workers next year, starting with Novice and hopefully progressing to Open's over the year. I've tried a couple this year without joining a society and feel it's something we can have a go at, as we jumped clear and came 4th on our first ever attempt.

I'm not assuming I'll qualify for anything at all, but just wondering which society would be best for these classes in terms of things that I could potentially qualify for, and also I guess easily accesible shows and qualifiers in the North West? I can't afford to join more than one really so would like to join the one that gives the most opportunities.

Hope this has made sense!

[elmere]

Well it depends which champs you are wanting to attend and what level of quality your pony is?

[vikki85]

I'm not exactly thinking HOYS at this point (one can dream ), really looking for a society which would do their own novice level, and perhaps intermediate level championships?

Actual quality of pony - she's done very well showing at local level and has been placed in top three at county level before now in a ridden class. I've been told she's very nice by judges but by no means think she's a HOYS contender!

Feel I've done as much as I can at local level so sort of want to start at the bottom of affiliated if that makes sense!

[sarah14]

Nps xxx

[vikki85]

Thanks sarah14, having looked about a a bit on here and the society websites I thought NPS might be the one xx

[Deleted]

Never done NPS, so that may well be the way to go.
I would highly recommend PUK having gone this year though. We did the novice workers (my sister was on a 6 year old who has just begun his showing career!) And loved them. The ring was big, and there was plenty of space between the fences. It gave a chance to pull up if you needed to, or to gather yourself back together if necessary, but was tricky enough that you really felt like you'd achieved something when you'd completed it! We easily had 2 classes a day each, which we thought was plenty, and thoroughly enjoyed it. There was a trickier ring, which if you were feeling confident by the end of the week, you might be able to have a go at, so even more options!

It is quite expensive though, but having been to Equifest, we felt our ponies this year weren't up to the standard of 40+ a class, but there was still 20-25 in all our classes!

Hope that helps! xxx

[elmere]

Well if you want to try lower level affiliated then I would go for NCPA, my favourite is NPS but its a big step up from local level and the quality of ponies is very high even in the novice plus NCPA has lots more area shows local than NPS. When you are ready to move up to NPS they have starter, novice, int, open and boys classes at the champs so lots of choice.

[xJBDx]

NPS for an M&M worker definitely

[vikki85]

Thanks to everyone for the replies, I will have a good look into NCPA and Ponies UK too, they sound ideal

ETA: Just realised that Ponies UK run the Burghley event pony qualifier too, which I've always wanted to have a go at

[janetbushell]

NCPA are very reasonable cost wise & you can qualify even if you are not a member (but you do have to join to enter the Pony of the Year championship show) & qualifiers held at all levels from RC to County shows. No JMB cert required. Members receive reduced rate entries at NCPA run shows & subsidised training is available to members

BSPS M&M WHPs are held at loads of show in NW & again you can qualify for their championship shows without being a member but have approx 7 days to join to validate the qualification. (No JMB cert required if you only wish to compete in M&M classes)

NPS - the full range of their WHP qualifiers are rarely found at a single show, unless it is an area show (NPS Area 5 for NW) You have to join BEFORE you do their classes if you wish to qualify for their champs (no JMB cert required)

PUK qualifiers held at several RCs throughout the NW for the summer champs as well as larger shows.

[vikki85]

Janetbushell, thank you - that is very informative NCPA looks promising

[belgravesanta]

All NCPA shows I have attended, have been very well organised & lovely shows to do!
The Judges are very nice & offer constructive advice. I would much prefer that that the Judge to say nothing at all!

This doesn't read as I had wanted it to! What I meant to say was that I would much rather receive constructive advice or criticism, rather than them say nothing at all.

[pipandwill]

Nps for m&m workers definatly.

[beauty2004]

NPS for M&M Workers without a doubt (cheap as well as only owner needs to be a member).