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Post by Hannah23 on Apr 27, 2013 18:30:52 GMT
Never been to equifest before just wanted a bit of help.
Is it mainly for kids/teenagers or do all ages go? (I dont want to be the only adult.)
What stabling is suggested? Can I stable my horses apart from each other? or do I have to have stables together? Are they allocated to me before I get there or do you choose when you arrive over the ones that are left. Are the stables quite sturdy? (Just in case my mare has a hissy fit). Is it possible to request a stable at the end of a row? (shes grumpy and at feed time/if she doesn't like her neighbor).
Classes wise how do you know which ones have to be qualified for and which don't? If you get placed in the day classes do you then go forward into the evening performance? Can you enter any of the non-qualifying classes when you arrive? Do you have to qualify for any of the jumping?
Does everyone usually stay/sleep in their horse box? or do they have tents/b&b's etc? Is it quite chaotic? Whats the general feeling in the showring, are people quite friendly and helpfull or do they keep themselves to themselves? Is it quite distracting in the ring? They have only been to little local shows so any suggestions as to shows in yorkshire that are of a similar size/atmosphere type thing would greatly appreciated.
Any other help/tips would be greatly appreciated. :-)
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smalley
Full Member
Horses lend us the wings we lack
Posts: 419
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Post by smalley on Apr 27, 2013 20:26:36 GMT
Everyone goes to equifest! On stabling, we were in red stables last year (these have already sold out this year), we rang up a week or so before and asked if we could have an end stable - we have the same problem as you with a moody mare! They were really helpful and when we arrived they gave us the stable numbers and they'd made a note that we wanted an end stable. I would think if you wanted to have your stables seperate they would let you do that. I would say the stables are pretty sturdy. The year before we couldn't get onsite stables so we stayed somewhere about 10mins away which had great facilities, but it's not the same as staying at the show. For the classes, on the schedule the classes you have to qualify for are in bold and it says before them Equifest/(sponsors name). It's only in some of the classes the top 10 go through to the evening performance - its just the championship classes where the top 10 go through. You can enter classes when you get there ONLY if they aren't full and if you make the entry before a cutoff point the day before (I think it's 4pm.) It costs about £25. For jumping you have to qualify for the championship working hunter classes, but for other WH classes and I think for the showjumping it's open to anyone. Last year we stayed in our horsebox and it was fine, we had a really nice spot next to the main Worker ring  Most people stay in their horseboxes but there were quite a few tents and caravans too. Everyone was always very friendly and helpful - apart from in the evening performance where people would save a whole row seats for their friends who were 'at the toilet' but then never showed up! The rings aren't too distracting, but the main worker ring has a big pond in the middle, the main outdoor ring has a track around the outside and a big grandstand, and just about all of the rings have tradestands quite near, but they aren't too distracting for the horses, especially the smaller ones. If you get there on the Tuesday you can work your horse in the rings. I would recommend any county shows, with tradestands and a loudspeaker, plus a busy atmosphere would be a similar sort of atmosphere for the outdoor rings. For the indoor ring, maybe try Bishop Burton in the main arena - it's the spookiest one I can think of! If you're lucky enought to get into an evening performance, be aware there is a HUGE crowd, in the grandstand and leaning around the edge of the arena, spotlights, big screens and loud music. I would recommened going on the Tuesday and working in and around the arenas, just so you know where everything is, how to get there etc. Don't enter too many classes or classes that are close together for your first time because it gets pretty stressful Hope that helps |
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Post by Hannah23 on Apr 27, 2013 20:40:09 GMT
Hi, yes great help. I expected it to be quite spooky, ill try and get to some spooky places cos she can be good but she can also be ridiculous (like most of them i guess). Sounds really good though from what everyone has said and Im looking forward to going for the first time :-D
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Post by Hannah23 on Apr 27, 2013 20:41:28 GMT
oh also , what happens about hay and bedding? Is it included? Provided at extra price or do you have to bring your own?
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Post by bleanwoodro on Apr 29, 2013 15:05:26 GMT
U have to buy bedding sep. U can take ur own pr buy from them. We get our bedding from equifest to save on weight. U can pre order nearer the show. Loads people are friendly its a fab show we love it. Ita our 3rd year going this year
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Post by baileybob on Apr 29, 2013 19:24:35 GMT
It is a huge affair, all sorts of people, adults/lots of children/horses, ponies, carriages, heavy horses, show jumpers etc etc but its almost so busy they don't get wound up - if that makes sense? The atmosphere is great, very like a horse show holiday camp, lol, the ground is huge so rings and stables are spread out, its not too intense for them, most people stay on site in horsebox/tent etc. The indoor has a huge and buzzy crowd at night, not for the faint hearted and I would worry about riding a nervy or novice in there at night for fear of blowing their mind. As above re bedding and entries. The stables are mostly the plastic temporaries and are fairly sturdy. Most stables (if not all) have fully grilled doors so they are a bit "caged" but might be good for your mare if she likes her privacy for security.
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Post by Hannah23 on Apr 29, 2013 20:05:10 GMT
Shes usually quite good to be honest. Not would you would call a spooky horse but can have the occasional step to the side if shes in that mood and I dont want to look silly if everyone else is a pro (plus it just helps to get them used to it). I wont get through to the evening performance with her , going for the workers and jumping and the experience because Ive never done anything like this before. Shes just a bit grumpy at feed time if she decides she doesnt like her neighbour but in comparison to some shes an angel most of the time. The other one is an angel so not worried about her at all.
Thank you so much everyone for help/tips/advice. I had better find someone to come with me now and post those entries :-) Excited !
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Post by mcnaughty on May 2, 2013 13:28:20 GMT
Just to clarify - you do need to enter at least one class before you can book a stable and in doing so you will be put in the catalogue. You can then enter (so long as they are not full and by a set time the day before) more classes. You cannot just turn up and enter - even the day before.
It is a great show and there are loads of adults riding. Fab atmosphere - it was my first time last year and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience - even though we only got one coloured rossie!
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Post by horsejump1234 on Jun 17, 2013 8:34:08 GMT
I went last year and it was my mares first show, shes an ex racer, very well behaved but very forward especially when by the white rails, she was no where near ready but i thought lets go !!
stables are well put together my horse had a few kicks after i managed to get her in there with a few people pushing her bum!!
very much looking forward to going again this year now shes schooling correctly,
bedding was included last year but this year need to buy yourself, my horse is on straw at home, so il only need one bale from there and that should last the week as never in the stables really, we got there on tuesday and my first class was thursday so i just rode her round and let her see everything, what classes is everyone doing ?
x
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Post by caspa on Jun 17, 2013 16:15:51 GMT
Our 4th year this year, really looking forward to it, so nice to be away with the horses, great atmosphere, lets just hope we get some good weather...
Counting down, 56 sleeps... Yes I know......get a grip.....
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Most people stay in their horseboxes but there were quite a few tents and caravans too. Everyone was always very friendly and helpful - apart from in the evening performance where people would save a whole row seats for their friends who were 'at the toilet' but then never showed up! The rings aren't too distracting, but the main worker ring has a big pond in the middle, the main outdoor ring has a track around the outside and a big grandstand, and just about all of the rings have tradestands quite near, but they aren't too distracting for the horses, especially the smaller ones. If you get there on the Tuesday you can work your horse in the rings.
