Performance show

[vjjjebony]

Could I have some comments on the performance show with a view to helping the committee sort out next years show?

Venue,times,classes, etc..etc.
valerie.

[harveydales]

As always, I thought the performance Show was brilliant! Best and friendliest show of the year by far! I've been to 3 different venues with Harvey now and liked them all. I thought this year's venue was particularly good from the point of view of accessability in that most people from the north could get to it quite easily where ever they live. It was well signed and mapped, facilities were fine. Arena's good - although a map of the layout for where the different classes were to be held and/or big signs at the arenas would be nice for people like me who get in a muddle over where they need to be and when - or was that all the wine I drank clouding my brain? We nearly missed the SJ but that is to be expected when you are entering all the classes so no complaints there. It was nice that the jump heights were a bit lower this year too ( I know they are never really high but wimps like me find anything over 1ft high).

It was wonderful of the committee to let Ali and Nikki compete on harvey HC - very grateful for that and they were both thrilled to be allowed to compete and to be allowed to do the handy Pony on foot and the SJ with poles on the ground. We would love a "walk and trot" dressage test to be included next year for beginners like Nikki and Ali as I think you mentioned at the time. If I were to be competing, I would be happy to ride a Novice or elementary test in the open but I suspect I'm the only one to want that!

[JoM]

I loved the performance show. The venue was ideal for me obviously as I live 5 minutes away. They seemed to be able to provide all the requirements that were needed to run the show. I also liked the GG centre venue BUT found it very difficult to watch all I wanted to as it was so spaced out.

I thought there were classes for everyone, but was shocked initially that there were no inhand classes. Not bothered mind as I hate running about!! ;D

Maybe a fancy dress class for next year? The younger competitors may be interested in it?

[SuzieP]

I really enjoyed the Perf Show this year and thought that Mill Lane was an excellent venue. I heard no negative comments from anyone at all throughout the day and everyone seemed to be having a good time.

[taffydales]

I agree it was a great show.

[NFK Dumpling]

How about a transporter like the SS Enterprise so we could get in from here and fizz out there? My nerve fails after dragging the trailer for 2hrs - which might get me as far as Lincolnshire!

(You didn't say anything about sensible comments)

[dalesponyrider]

Well if you could get as far as Lincolnshire maybe we could find someone to put you up for the night to break your journey. Then you could travel up with us! There - sorted!

[jacquidales]

I mised this years venue (but heard only good things about it), but much as I thought the GG centre had fab facilities to ride on, the lack of food and the poor read signposting put me off.

Fancy dress and maybe family dales (adult and child rider) might be 2 additional classes. What about a mini trec comp if facilities/time allows?

The venue- Westfield Park at Silkstone Common is also very good , if it has re opened. It has 2 indoor arena, a large outdoor arena(equiv of 2 I think) and a grass jumping one. It's been used for BSJA classes regularly and Trailblazers etc. It's near the M1- junctions 35a or 37 and has a gallery/viewing area, an indoor and outdoor announcement box and a cafe. Also lot sof parking and I think has an Italian cafe on site. There are some stables available so they may do overnight stabling too.

[dalesponyrider]

I thought the PS was brill this year. Things I think could impove it are - map of where everything is, clear signs saying which ring is which and a PA system.

Having entered 7 classes this year I'm not sure I could cope with many more and how on earth would you choose which ones to do? Family pony and fancy dress would be fun though......

The Le Trec idea is a good one, but in fact I think it is a good enough idea to stand on it's own. What about a dalesfans le Trec day as a seperate thing? Olivia - are you still in touch with Cob Nut?

[greydales]

I also enjoyed the PS this year, my first one as a competitor. The only things I'd comment on that possibly could be improved were the same as Linda - clearer signs as to which ring is which, and a better tannoy system (although this tends to be a bugbear at many shows!). Other than that I don't have any complaints.

Not sure that any further classes could be accommodated though, it is a pretty full day!

[shiatsudales]

My main (and only really) reason for not going was the distance. it's around 200 miles for us so we'd have to go half way one day, stop overnight, travel the rest of the way the second day, camp over and then take two days to come back again. As we're not used to doing that sort of towing mileage in a day I'm not sure it'd be a good idea to try. We average around 35-40 miles every hour of travel time so 200 miles would take us 5hrs minimum driving with no breaks.

Makes it a four days travel for a one day show.

So, what would we need to be able to attend?

A kind person to put us up overnight about half way down (towards the east side of the A66). Stabling at the venue, possibly for the night before and the night after with close by B&B for us. Better yet would be permission to camp out in a field with the 4x4 and trailer with pony corralled and us in a tent. Means venue would need to have good toilet and some wash facilties though.

Apart from that just the usual stuff like a venue with good footing for the dressage and jumping, plenty of space so we aren't packed like sardines and having to stand horses on trailers to avoid them being kicked, hot food (veggie as well as burgers!), loads of signs, a tannoy that reaches the car park to announce classes (or someone walking round with a loudspeaker walking the lorry park and calling tthe classes like the Welsh society show had this year), somewhere warm to go and thaw out if it's freezing/raining.

Don't want much do I

[harveydales]

Heather - the 2 years the show was held at Woodnook we stabled Harvey over there a couple of nights, once at the centre itself and once at Jacquidales's yard. It was great fun to make a long weekend of it and less stressful. I bet you could find plenty of Dalesfans on route and at the venue (where ever it is) to put you and Drummer up.

[shiatsudales]

harveydales said:

Heather - the 2 years the show was held at Woodnook we stabled Harvey over there a couple of nights, once at the centre itself and once at Jacquidales's yard. It was great fun to make a long weekend of it and less stressful. I bet you could find plenty of Dalesfans on route and at the venue (where ever it is) to put you and Drummer up.

I'm really tempted to make it an aim for next year I tend not to have goals anymore, merely aims

I also wondered about hiring one of those little horseboxes for a long weekend and that would be a lot better than our old Land Rover. It does depend on cost though.

[khristyne]

I would love to come, but it is so far! I would definately need stabling and camping facilities. I dont suppose it would be possible to have a southern version would it? She ducks quickly in case something gets thrown at her!!!!!!!lol

[NFK Dumpling]

shiatsudales said:

I also wondered about hiring one of those little horseboxes for a long weekend and that would be a lot better than our old Land Rover. It does depend on cost though.

Now there's a brilliant idea

My Landy would probably appreciate that idea!