Royal International

[claired]

Please tell me everything I need to know about being a competitor there. Stabling, staying on site, facilities etc etc etc.

Thank you 

[jtp]

Following this! As it is my first year going. Excited and Nervous

[catkin]

You enter and book stables in the usual way to any show. Things to note:
* its a long way from the stables to anywhere, so take comfortable shoes!
* its either boiling hot (and dusty) or v wet (with flooded stables) so be prepared!
* parking is hilly and very tight
* there is a small shop on site for things like milk and bread
* there are loads of places to eat around the show but a way away from the stables etc
* the working in is in a large all weather area that you share with lots of other people etc, but you can hack up to a field behind the rings
* shower block to be avoided and if you cannot, do take suitable footwear
There is a fantastic atmosphere and you should have great fun!

[jtp]

Is there a horse washing area? x

[baileybob]

May 9, 2016 15:07:35 GMT jtp said:

Is there a horse washing area? x

Yes, middle of the two stable fields, near the main shower block.

They are very strict about passes and you are checked every time you go over the bridge onto the show field from the stable area.

[bubbles1822]

As its a long way, I would try to take something to carry the heavier things with - wherlbarrow or ailar especially if taking your own bedding haylage.
Clothing for all weathers for you an the horse It seems to be at one extreme. Majority of the stabling its temporary boxes.

[jtp]

Is there a bar open on the evening? haha

[judyh]

If it's wet it's terrible!! The brick stables we had were 1/2 a metre deep in shavings and old droppings, people were putting down 2 bales of shavings just to soak up the wet in the outdoor stables.. Good luck - went once and would never go again. Not sour grapes, my horse was placed!!
The boxes were up to their axles in mud

[claired]

What about lorry hook ups. I can't find anything on the website and there is nothing on the entry form (although its still last years forms) except stable booking. Plus there is no indication of entry fees.
They have at least put the 2016 schedule up.


Thank you for all the replies so far.  I am hearing good and bad reports.  Bad reports generally seem to be in relation to the facilities.

[baileybob]

Hook up is first come, first served, pay at the gate. You can only pay for the full week (£95) I think. To be guaranteed hook up you really need to arrive on Monday. Later in the week it's luck if you get in a hook up space someone else has left.

[Welshcob92]

I love the Royal international! I actually prefered it to HOYS last year,
Think the weather made it better for us.

I didn't mind the showers that much, coming from someone who used to never over at shows on site & always books a hotel, I really didn't find a problem with them.

There is a lot of walking involved from stables to wagon to toilets & the rings etc, so definitely take comfortable shoes.

Someone mentioned if there is a bar, there is one next to the shower block that had a disco on some nights & a live band one night which was great!

[dogandbone]

Its very noisy at night - sometimes till quite late, not great if you have small children lol!! Showing people come second in the eyes of the organisers to all the Show Jumpers, but having said that we still go year after year , and enjoy it!! Leave plenty of time to get to your ring, it is a long walk, and the large working in all weather arena, you have to share with the show jumpers, with a line of jumps down the middle of the arena side by side!!
Eating out is very expensive so take plenty of cash, or better still plenty of food with you haha!! Remember to take your sense of humour with you too, you may need it - but above all try and enjoy it! Good luck.

[jtp]

Will the shop be open on Monday night that sells shavings etc? Also do they sell Hay? Or is it just haylage? X

[Sharon Allen]

Shop is falcon feeds
Sells hay and haylage