clock
Junior Member
Posts: 88
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Post by clock on Aug 24, 2011 13:06:15 GMT
1) more seating for evening peformance please
2) prize money to go lower, at least to 6th place
3) points to be viewable for the classes with 2 judges, especially the EQUIFEST classes, always nice to see what points you were given and makes judging fairer!
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Post by CarolineNelson on Aug 24, 2011 13:13:38 GMT
First time staying at E fest. Had a very good enjoyable time, great blue stable area kept very clean and tidy by all copmetitors in this area. Great WHP courses , in both rings, seemed to be quite a few ponies in novice classes which I found it hard to belive are still true novices??? Poss hold 4,5,6 year old WHP classes in future? The training class on sunday morn was truely fab, our VERY novice pony learnt a lot, and think that everybody had a great morning helped by a very knowelgable , patient judge. Yeah i agree with the novice pony. There where many in there that looked very experianced- so maybe define what a novice pony should be or restrict it? Just love this show and i'm counting down the days for next year. BAN DOGS- Great yorkshire does. No problem there now. There was some very excellent judges and some very patient one's. So thank you equifest- just loved it!!! ;D Banning dogs should not be necessary. However, banning those who have proved either so irresponsible or simply too lazy to care for their dog properly whilst on the showground, could be an option.... (And, share the knowledge with other Show organisers) |
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Post by b on Aug 24, 2011 13:39:26 GMT
We all had great time, it was our second year and we will be returning next year, so thanks to Bets, Jenny & team.
Just a couple of things that didn't affect us personally but just wanted to put my point of view across.
1.
Please check and recheck your champions before announcing them forward. The poor little girl on Saturday night must have been distraught being told she had won - only to be told it wasn't her, very sad. If it had happened to my Granddaughter I would have been devastated, my heart went out to her.
2.
People didn't listen to the NO Horses in the food - shopping areas, perhaps some barriers could be arranged with signs that hopefully people will read.
3.
More seating in the evening, I found it difficult to stand for so long. If the logistics & weather allows go into the main arena outside don't know if this is feasible but would certainly be nice.
4.
Anyone abusing the staff, facilities etc should be removed, lock stock & barrel and not allowed to compete at Equifest again.
5.
Please keep the show as it is. Don't go any bigger and certainly NO Hoys qualifiers. All can attend now no matter what level of pony/riding their at. It would be ashame to take it away from us ordinary folk.
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Post by jazz on Aug 24, 2011 13:43:04 GMT
Agree with shsstablemanager ~ Banning dogs should not be necessary!! It's the owners who fail to clear up after them that should be banned!! It takes less than a couple of minutes to clear up your dog poo. Most owners are responislbe for their dogs, sadly it's the minority that spoil things for others.
I would like to add, people naturally do tend to compare Equifest with puk when it was held at Peterborough and we all know Equifest is not puk.
Would the committee reconsider using the outside arena for the evening performances?
With the growth in popularity of Equifest and the vast numbers coming to spectate or compete the indoor arena is becoming over crowded during the evening.
You have a fabulous arena with seating to accomodate almost everyone (as most of us are too shattered to stand all evening), why not make use of it again?
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Post by cayo on Aug 24, 2011 14:20:16 GMT
Have to agree no hoys please and also the outdoor main arena is super but a risk if weather bad if only we could book the weather too
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Post by littlebriars on Aug 24, 2011 15:08:29 GMT
Never been to Scope, but when my brother use to go - he used to get a pass with his wagon Reg No. on and then allocated a hook up again with his Reg No. on, and a map as to where he was to park.....
Why can day stables have there own block ?? surely it would be easier to manage, if they where all in 1 / 2 blocks and also separate day parking along side the day stables for people only completing for 1-day.
Its alright packing wagons in close together, but god forbid one should catch fire - then what!!
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kates
Full Member
Posts: 491
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Post by kates on Aug 24, 2011 15:26:02 GMT
i didn't compete for one reason only when I looked at my classes (inhand coloured) i could do five classes, fantastic...sadly 3 where the same judge....so thought whats the point! surely thats not right?
ONline entries would be brilliant as I do want to come next year, providing i actually get different judges! I know judges are hard to get and i understand that but i would of loved to go!
Will be going next year, and have been told i can have sponsered stables...purely so I have a chance of getting one lol
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kates
Full Member
Posts: 491
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Post by kates on Aug 24, 2011 15:27:33 GMT
and also...photographers....I know you have to cover costs and all but seriously!!! lower your prices and you find u get a lot more custom!
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Post by b on Aug 24, 2011 17:01:08 GMT
and also...photographers....I know you have to cover costs and all but seriously!!! lower your prices and you find u get a lot more custom! As you say the photographer does have to pay all the staff and they do a very good job, but I do agree on a lower price for the pics. Possibly a price for a package, we paid £48.00 for 3 and would have liked to have bought more, if the price had been cheaper. £12.00 each for the smallest size seems more realistic to me if you buy 3 or more? Also possibly cheaper if the mount wasn't required |
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Post by welsha on Aug 24, 2011 17:56:28 GMT
Excellant show. Agree about the novice classes. It is a good idea to make novices horses/ponies never to have won a 1st at an affiliated show before 1st Jan as you have done. Cuts down on a lot of the ones who regularly win but make sure that their winnings are at shows without prize money There were a few breaches of the rule tho, eg a well known m and m LR pony who has been to HOYS several years shown in the novice M and M LR class!!! Hmm.
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Post by millietigs on Aug 25, 2011 10:38:13 GMT
I have nothing but praise for the stable managers, I booked a Pink stable for Wednesday night and arrived at the show on Thursday morning having stupidly picked up the wrong envelope which meant I did not have my stable confirmation form. This was not a problem, my name was found on the list and my stable was duly allocated. The stable was in a perfect situation for my rings and I was able to park right outside. Due to the huge numbers forward in the coloured in hand classes, the hack breeding was nearly 2 hours behind schedule, I went and explained this to the stable manager who was very accomodating and made a note to allocate my stable last when the 'Thursday nighters' started arriving. I left them my mobile number just in case. We finally left the showground around 6pm. I was rather surprised however, to receive a call 24 hours later on Friday evening saying that I needed to remove my horse from the stable - my horse was happily grazing in her paddock at home by this time!  I can see how the problems did arise however as a lorry pulled up next to us where the people had booked duration stables only to be told on arrival that they were not available, so they anounced that they were just going to find 2 empty stables and use them! As much I love the show, as I only need a stable for 1 night or as in this year, only for a few hours (I do not like leaving youngsters standing on the lorry) I would have to think very seriously about coming again if I had to book a stable for the duration. I really hope you do not go down this route. As I think has already been mentioned, could there be a rethink on the coloured in hand classes as they were so huge that the hunters and hacks which followed on ran extremely late. Would it be feasible to change the running order of these classes and perhaps have the hunters and hacks before the coloureds? The other thing that has always puzzled me is that the hack breeding on the Thursday, which qualifies for the Supreme In Hand, is 1,2 and 3 year olds all together whereas the classes on the Friday, which have no supreme are split into yearlings and 2/3 yr olds. Thanks to the whole team for all your hard work - you have an unenviable job! |
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Post by bomerang on Aug 25, 2011 11:22:16 GMT
i only went as a spectator this year but have to say it did look at times a bit chaotic. there were horses being ridden right beside trade stands, dogs running loose and dog mess everywhere, the rings were rammed, and so were the lorry parks, in this day and age with all the suing going on the solicitors would have a field day, and so would health and safety, if there was a fire it would spread so quickly and besides the suing issue it would be horrendous (how many people have smoke detectors in the lorries and its impossible to have them in tents so it doesnt bear thinking about!) my oh is a firefighter and he is pretty sure it could get closed if your not careful! a couple of people i know had terrible times with the stables and people using them and padlocking them why, why, why? were these people not escorted immediatley off the showground? word would soon spread and people would think twice about pinching stables, the same for violence and threats......straight off the showground no messing..... i honestly dont think i would go next year with a horse i might go to see if things improved but def with no horse shame because it was very good in the past x
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Post by clifton on Aug 25, 2011 11:37:30 GMT
Back from our first trip to equifest, loved it, had a good time, came back tired and exhausted, can’t wait for next year. There was lots of beautiful animals, after being described as having bog standard ponies we ame away with 11 placed rosettes, some good memories and some disappointments.
We were in purple stabling no problems, lovely and quiet, that area needs a better tannoy system. However, far too much walking for me as all our classes were always in the rings furthest away from us, hopefully next year we will be in blue or yellow stables, much nearer to our rings.
I could not believe the number of competitors in many of our classes, also could not believe how big the ponies where going into our classes when we have what we thought was a full up section B, (been told by other competitors to get her measured properly as she will be in the 133cm classes not the 143cm classes, I don’t think so unless dodgy measuring.
Hated the fact that the judges in 99% of the showing classes we entered obviously had photographic memories (as they did not write a thing down), but we loved the working hunter classes as you could see where you lost marks,. We entered 4 working hunter classes and managed 4 clear rounds, however ,only one 9th place due to the huge entries. We would have liked to have a clear round before our first working hunter class but we arrived near the start time only to be told that no more people would be allowed a clear round as too many people had already booked, we should have started queing at 7.30, as it happened we did okay without one.
Hated the fact that people on the outside knew who was going to win before the class had even begun just because of who they where and they did , often I could not see how some judges came up with there placings in some classes I watched, but that’s showing.
Would be nice to have a few more classes on different days for ordinary riding club novice ponies staying for the duration who are not affiliated to any of the bigger societies.
I have read the problems about the stables which should be pre-allocated and a coloured stable disc with stable number on given out at the gate on production of your stable pass, then there would be no mix up whose stable it is and squatters could be evicted.
Anyway we loved it, even if we don’t have HOYS ponies, we will be back next year and more of our friends will be joining us.
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clock
Junior Member
Posts: 88
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Post by clock on Aug 25, 2011 12:58:19 GMT
it would also be nice if the the M&M ridden classes got to have some of their top 10 in the evening, not just the cobs and horses!! and maybe some of their day classes in the equifest or main ring??
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Post by dusteragain on Aug 25, 2011 13:06:01 GMT
I went for one day and had a good time, thank you. I hope to come for the duration next year!
I agree it would be good to use the outdoor main arena again for evenings and have the indoor to fall back on if it rains or is too windy etc.
People need to address their own problems - e.g. if you cannot stand a long time, carry a little seat with you.
People need to behave themselves better - that is not up to Equifest! Clear up dog dirt, don't drop litter, be courteous, give yourself time to get to your rings etc, have someone with you who can go to the ring and report back with a progress report re timing, etc.
I would suggest the walkways and horse-walks are kept separate and the horse muck be cleared periodically as well.
Fantastic show, great schedule; good value entry fees, fantastic atmosphere.
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Post by b on Aug 25, 2011 14:23:16 GMT
I totally agree with you Dusteragain; "People need to address their own problems - e.g. if you cannot stand a long time, carry a little seat with them"
I for one cant stand for a long time, during the day I would use a seat or sit on the grass. However in the evening performance if there aren't any seats which was most evenings, as I couldn't always get there early, a portable small seat would be no use as then I couldn't see what was going on and would probably be in peoples way. That's why I thought more seats would be helpful for us "Oldies"
But never mind had a fab time and again thanks for a great show.
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Post by dusteragain on Aug 25, 2011 14:48:27 GMT
Apologies b, I too am a bit stiff and hobble about (and no doubt now qualify as an oldie!). More seating would be great but has to be paid for presumably. I think the indoor arena would benefit from moving the lovely tradestands out into the foyer and increase the arena size and grandstands, or as I said before, use the main arena, weather permitting.
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Post by bunny on Aug 25, 2011 16:07:58 GMT
i think its a fab show, loved watching this year. Sadly couldnt compete as there wasnt a stable and getting a bit upset now as my entries were sent in before close but not taken till a week or so later by which time the stable problem had come to light.. I emailed equifest who said just to enter one class and see if i could get one seperately but then took the full payment for 9 classes... I am still waiting for my refund and it must be 3 weeks or more now and i am being ignored  |
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Post by cayo on Aug 25, 2011 16:40:47 GMT
Have to agree more seating in indoor by putting traders in the foyer loads of space there seating definatley needed perhaps a small £1 charge for spectators without entrys comeing to the show would help with that cost ,i too hav egreat problems walking but have a small stool worked great for me x
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Post by CarolineNelson on Aug 25, 2011 17:13:10 GMT
i think its a fab show, loved watching this year. Sadly couldnt compete as there wasnt a stable and getting a bit upset now as my entries were sent in before close but not taken till a week or so later by which time the stable problem had come to light.. I emailed equifest who said just to enter one class and see if i could get one seperately but then took the full payment for 9 classes... I am still waiting for my refund and it must be 3 weeks or more now and i am being ignored I don't expect you are really getting 'ignored' - we too (SHS), have had to deal with re-embursements (in this case due to seriously bad weather) and it does take a little time to get everything done. Sorry that things didn't work out for you this year at Equifest, but hopefully the one difficult experience won't put you off. |
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Post by b on Aug 25, 2011 18:48:51 GMT
Apologies b, I too am a bit stiff and hobble about (and no doubt now qualify as an oldie!). More seating would be great but has to be paid for presumably. I think the indoor arena would benefit from moving the lovely tradestands out into the foyer and increase the arena size and grandstands, or as I said before, use the main arena, weather permitting. No need to apologise dusteragain, what a good idea tradestands in the foyer, theres plenty of room out there. Hope to see you there next year. Regards B |
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Post by hoyshunter on Aug 25, 2011 21:20:30 GMT
This isn't Equifest's fault but I think some competitiors are an absolute disgrace. It's impossible for the team at Equifest to police the entries as they have to take them at face value but come on people!! Please enter the appropriate classes and stop being such pot hunters. The proper amateurs amongst us have no chance when some people enter inappropriate classes. A certain horse was in the 'restricted' class having already won at HOYS - TWICE!! I know it was three years ago and to enter a restricted it's not to have competed at HOYS/RIHS in the last TWO years but come onnnnnnnnn!! What a joke?! There are plennnttttty more classes that horse could have done, why take away some genuine amateur's place in the line up for the sake of a rosette. Absolutely ridiculous.
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Post by hoyshunter on Aug 25, 2011 21:30:07 GMT
Oh actually-just realised that the restricted wording is as follows ; Open to horses, ponies and RIDERS that have not qualified for the RIHS/HOYS etc'. So why on earth were many of those riders in those classes?!?
They should be ashamed of themselves....
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Post by bigmama on Aug 25, 2011 22:01:26 GMT
it would also be nice if the the M&M ridden classes got to have some of their top 10 in the evening, not just the cobs and horses!! and maybe some of their day classes in the equifest or main ring?? agree with this .. the largest entries are the ridden m&ms and i cannot ever remember them ever having an eve top ten since Equifest started .. please can we for 2012 xx |
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Post by cayo on Aug 26, 2011 6:16:05 GMT
This isn't Equifest's fault but I think some competitiors are an absolute disgrace. It's impossible for the team at Equifest to police the entries as they have to take them at face value but come on people!! Please enter the appropriate classes and stop being such pot hunters. The proper amateurs amongst us have no chance when some people enter inappropriate classes. A certain horse was in the 'restricted' class having already won at HOYS - TWICE!! I know it was three years ago and to enter a restricted it's not to have competed at HOYS/RIHS in the last TWO years but come onnnnnnnnn!! What a joke?! There are plennnttttty more classes that horse could have done, why take away some genuine amateur's place in the line up for the sake of a rosette. Absolutely ridiculous. Lots of this at the show what a shame one was shown in home produced and was shown in hand day before and later in the day after ridden hp in an open class by a producer  do they think people dont notice tut tut |
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Post by solitaire on Aug 26, 2011 19:01:49 GMT
Great show really enjoyed it including the stewarding i did most days - for 2012
Kids on bikes and esp the little boy on his scooter - ban them for next year very dangerous
Reduction of entries for classes some were so big and took so long
Evening performance - hold them in the fab out door arena would be amazing then
Concours - get some decent judges please as some of them did not seem to know what they were doing - and one was smoking whilst judging!!!!!!!!!!!
Give more people the chance to go in the evening performance
Run the show over a extra day to reduce amount of entries in the classes
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Post by crimsoncloverep on Aug 27, 2011 8:26:22 GMT
I think the restricted classes should be to have NEVER qualified for RIHS or HOYS. There was a coloured in our restricted RH who has qualified for HOYS & RIHS as a coloured ( If this was all, then its fine-first time being a RH and all...)
BUT it had also qualified for the RIHS as a riding horse.
Very annoying IMHO
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Post by bigmama on Aug 27, 2011 11:20:35 GMT
agree with crimsoncloverep and also HOME PRODUCED to mean exactly that for those of us who keep our ponies at home and do everything ourselves TOTALLY and then there will be no grey areas in HP and Restricted classes .. ie. eliminate the cheats!
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Post by LMSmith on Aug 27, 2011 11:25:55 GMT
I had a great time and it was my first time at Eqiufest and I will certainly be coming back next year!
However, I was on a C & D inhand class in ring ten on Friday which had over 30 entries and we were nose to tail all the way around the ring. This included a LOT of stallions! I asked the steward why it had not been split and she told me that it was because they didnt realise so many would enter? But they split some of the ridden coloured classes after the amount of entries they had but couldnt with the inhand C & D?
There solution was to ask the spectators in the collecting ring to pick up the fence and move it back!?!?! This still didnt leave us any room to run our animals and we had to run them around on the inside track as there were horse/ponies all the way round on the track...very dangerous in my opinion!
I ended up getting pulled on the back line to start with, then to be moved up to 7th and being told by the judge that I had a lovely pony but he missed him to start with due to the amount of animals in the ring!
I mean come on guys...if you can split the coloureds you could have split this class C's & D's??
Rant over ;D see you all next year!
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Post by crimsoncloverep on Aug 28, 2011 11:51:13 GMT
....However, I will most certainly be coming back next year, it was a wonderful show with a wonderful atmosphere and the majority of the judges (and especially all of the very lovely stewards) were friendly, helpful and cheerful.
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do they think people dont notice tut tut 