RIHS - Roger Stack ring

[elsie]

Now show is over wondered what people's thoughts were on the new ring and layout?
Having been a critic of River Lawn for years I was really looking forward to the new ring for the M&Ms but felt very dissapointed with the new ring.
Whilst accepting Hickstead can do nothing about the weather so the ring being very boggy was probably out of their control. I think for me (as a big fan of RIHS) it felt like it was miles from anywhere; again I appreciate H/S rules but the horse walk to the ring from the horse box park was probably 20 minutes.
It didn't help that the classes progressively over ran throughout the day and so the lead reins were running over 1 hour behind (this should not happen at a Championship show) and unless someone told you in the lorry park you had no idea.
For me it felt like we were not part of the show, but in a separate field, could not even get a cup of coffee nearby. It just seemed like a 'second class' ring no seating around it either.
First year so perhaps improvements will be made in the future. Hate to say it but I think I would have preferred to have been back at River Lawn!

[grandfleur]

We also preferred river lawn. Closer to food stands, better backdrops for photos with hedge instead of fencing you'd see at a normal riding club show and shorter walk. Had a pony in the mixed height pp yesterday and only found out rings had changed by following others down just before the class was scheduled to start. A simple message on the Hickstead Facebook page would have been appreciated!

[mcnaughty]

Oh dear - with modern technology and social media the way it is, surely a large show like this could up its communications to a new modern level. How difficult would it be to tweet class updates, results and ring news to the masses? With the weather the way it was, to keep a little one dry inside a lorry for an additional hour would have been kind.

[Smirnoff]

Yes we only found out by chance as we are leaving the stables and a fellow neighbour asked which ring we were in and mentioned our class had been moved !!

[lalalaa]

What a shame for you. I found the old Pretty Polly ring fantastic last year!

[solitaire sr]

it was out of the way.. our ridden arab was in there, and there was zero atmosphere.. so was happy to later be in the international arena xx

[ilovenatives]

Have to agree I really wasn't impressed with the Roger Stack ring , no atmosphere and the going was very boggy . It was a disappointment after my daughter was so pleased to qualify in a huge amateur ridden qualifier . It felt like being at any other show not Royal International . I think we will only be doing a few local qualifiers to support our area shows next year as its not really worth the bother travelling miles to qualify .
It's a shame they didn't improve the river lawn instead of making a new ring .

[catkin]

To be fair, these were the most testing of circumstances and I am not sure what else could have been done. However much you improve the River Lawn it is exactly that and is very wet at the best of times, so I think the new ring would have been better in terms of going. It isn't the best ring in the world for sure, but not sure where else they could squeeze a flat ring in. The whole site is hilly. I do see what you mean about being separate from the main show, but hopefully as the ring gets used more, it will have more facilities/blend in better. And yes, announcements might well be helpful, but the stables are very spread out so not sure how logistics on that would work. We were extremely fortunate to have the best of the going as our class was at 7.30am on the Wednesday. Though it was raining, the ring was not waterlogged and has the all weather bits to help. By the Sunday, when working the horse prior to the Surpreme, I was at my wits end trying to find somewhere that wasn't hock deep. I was fully expecting lost shoes etc. However, much as it was truly trying, I really don't know what more could have been done to alleviate the situation.

[thegroom]

Jul 31, 2017 7:46:18 GMT elsie said:

Now show is over wondered what people's thoughts were on the new ring and layout?
Having been a critic of River Lawn for years I was really looking forward to the new ring for the M&Ms but felt very dissapointed with the new ring.
Whilst accepting Hickstead can do nothing about the weather so the ring being very boggy was probably out of their control. I think for me (as a big fan of RIHS) it felt like it was miles from anywhere; again I appreciate H/S rules but the horse walk to the ring from the horse box park was probably 20 minutes.
It didn't help that the classes progressively over ran throughout the day and so the lead reins were running over 1 hour behind (this should not happen at a Championship show) and unless someone told you in the lorry park you had no idea.
For me it felt like we were not part of the show, but in a separate field, could not even get a cup of coffee nearby. It just seemed like a 'second class' ring no seating around it either.
First year so perhaps improvements will be made in the future. Hate to say it but I think I would have preferred to have been back at River Lawn!

I agree entirely, the ring was absolutely dreadful by the Sunday resulting in 2 ponies slipping over. There was no atmosphere at all and even if the ground conditions had been perfect there was too much slope on the ring, in my opinion it was not good enough for a championship show.

[chloesmum]

I don't think anyone can complain regarding the going as of course no one has control over the weather, just look at Bakewell this week.
However as a huge fan of RIHS for many years I was very disappointed with the new ring. I know they fenced off the bottom bit at the end of the week as it was so boggy, so again with slopes they can only do so much. For me it was the sense of isolation, it could have been a riding club show in a field somewhere (no offence to Riding Clubs!) - miles to walk too and don't get me started on classes over running!!! I believe a new policy of no set shows. great in principle but at a Championship Show if shows go on and on and on with nearly 30 entries they will either have to allow a lot more time for classes (then we all stand in the ring for hours as well) or at least allow for some guidance to keep shows to a reasonable length.
This is probably going to ruffle a few feathers but I do feel the Heritage ponies are treated a bit like 2nd class. For years we endured the River Lawn and now we get another 2nd class ring pushed out of the way. I am not a statistician but I reckon the levy's from the Heritage qualifiers far out weigh the plaited pony classes and yet we don't get the same standard of ring. I am not suggesting the plaited ponies should be moved just asking for some improvements to where the Heritage classes are put.

[catkin]

Good points ChloesMum and I certainly didn't mean to dismiss these points. I am just very unsure about where you would fit another flat ring in that was better?

[chloesmum]

I don't think it has to be dead flat, the joy of the RIHS for me has always been it is on grass rather than an arena. The SHP ring has a slope but Chloe always loved that thrill of the gallop up the hill - the P/B used to go in that ring too (not sure if still do?) That ring would be perfect for the natives - how wonderful to see them gallop up the hill.
I understand it must be really difficult to fit everything in but I wonder if a new ring is necessary, could River Lawn be revamped and used for lead rein/ smaller ponies? Perhaps some shuffling of classes in the rings that already exist? I have the feeling that many people were disappointed this year and are saying as ilovenatives is ' not sure I can be bothered to qualify next year' and if it clashes full on with the RWAS again which I believe it does for the natives I think people might vote with their feet. I know it is a heck of a journey for us but the experience or riding in the RWAS ring is truly wonderful and a real Championship show experience.

[ilovenatives]

Have to agree Chloesmum , M and Ms are treated like second class citizens ( and not just at RIHS ) . A revamped river lawn for the lead rein classes is a good idea as it seems a waste having lead rein classes in the ring with the fabulous gallop track .
I understand that nothing can be done about the weather , it was more about the lack of atmosphere in the Roger Stack ring . It would be amazing for the M and M's to gallop up the hill , what a fantastic sight it would be .
We are thinking of doing Royal Welsh next year , I hear there is nothing like it .