First time of qualifying for RIHS!!

[Carole]

Well my daughter had her first crack at RIHS qualifiers this weekend and qualified at first attempt and we are in shock, I know we only got it as the one in 2nd place had no card but hey will did it!!! Obviously really chuffed.

Anyone thats been before can you tell me what the atmosphere is like, is there lots of applause going on around rings and is it as 'loud' as it seems when indoors as we have a clapperphobic horse to work on.

[carols]

well done to you both - was it with Peppi ? I can ask what its like as my YO has been last couple of years with their sec B - never got there myself !

[americanpie]

WELL DONE!!!

[jor]

Oh well done!
RIHS is lovely though has been a while (haha) since Ive been so cant say what its like in recent years! Im sure you will really enjoy yourselves, are you goign to go for HOYS qualifiers now?

[Carole]

Thanks peeps, yes it is our beloved Peppi bless her.
Think HOYS could be on our hit list too now, we can't expect any more miracles though so quite happy with this Q.
Its funny we have always put off doing the biggie Q's as really see ourselves as hobby amateurs even though we put in the effort like the pro's but we had some nice words of encouragement last season from a few judges saying why didn't we do the RIHS and it just made us think, what the hell and now look what we've done ;D

Yes any words of wisdom about the venue/stabling/atmosphere or anything else for that matter muchest welcomed, seeing as I have a good 3 months in which to totally wind myself up about it!

[specialsparkle3]

Hi Carole, I go to RIHS all week, what class have you qualified for, so I can tell you about your ring. If you are stayng overnight you will need 3 people for one pony as the lorry parking and stabling are a long way from the ring so you will need a runner with a mobile phone. It's my 2nd favourite show, very sociable hard work and great fun------well done for getting there and best of luck, I'll look out for you.

[hay]

i have never been but WOW well done!

[natalia]

well done. I have my boy within a ten minute hack of hickstead and its a great show. I love the RIHS and go for the whole week. Its very busy though and the warm up tends to get very overcrowded. The other problem with it is that it turns in to a swamp within a day of heavy rain. Last year was a nightmare and most of the warmup was closed off (river lawn) as it was so boggy. I'm sure you will have a great show, its lots of fun and a really nice atmosphere. I agree about needing an army of people as the stabling is at the bottom of the lorry park which is on a big hill and if your at the top its a long walk down, the ring is also quite far from the stabling. Good luck, we expect full reports of your progress and let us all know what day your going on so we can go down and support you!

[Carole]

Thanks again for info, we are in the BSPA coloured classes on the Tuesday, so will go Monday and stay overnight.
How do you get a schedule and entry form, is there a website to download from?
Right if I have to run up and down hills between class's then I am going on a diet and re-starting at the gym to get fit and lose weight.
Its still not really sunk in as yet, I don't feel any different to when we qualify for either PUK or BSPA, dont know if thats a good or bad thing.
Will post a pic tomorrow of lovely head shot of Peppi taken at show.

[natalia]

Right type in www.hickstead.co.uk , then go to shows and you can download the schedule but the snag is it doesn't look like its out yet as the derby one is downloadable but the RIHS isn't. Be warned, its enormous (a4 with a lot of pages) but I would assume as you have qualified they will send you one.
As for the clapping the showing rings aren't too bad for that, they are all quite large with spectators in one small stand in each. lots of the ringside is taken up by vans so people are more scattered about. Theres also lots of big hedges, its very pretty and they take lovely photos!

[specialsparkle3]

8-)HI Carole it will not be busy at all on the Tuesday, because even though your classes are taking place, the show doesn't officially open until Wednesday, which is a shame for you because I'm not sure that the stands will be open when you are there. Still at least the rings should be fairly quiet for you. and the stable area will be clean, which it certainly isn't by the middle of the show!
ps you will still have to send for a catalogue, they are not usually sent automatically.

[miller]

Carole - well done - will def have to get our butts in gear and come mix with the professionals!

[lovelylace]

congrats, what fun, nice show and nice atmosphere from what I can recall...
have fun and enjoy!!

[Carole]

Been looking for this thread and hadn't realised we had a new catagory
Well I am on the lookout for a cd with clapping, loud cheering etc. If you know of one on the market please let me know.

Will let you know how it all goes.

[Showgirl]

Well Done...

as regards CD's we make them ourselfts....