Jumping event suitable to take a child

[noramum]

DD has the riding bug, she just started beginner jumping and wants to see a competition.

Does anybody know a good event in London or Kent/Surrey/Sussex, maybe even Essex, in 2016 which doesn't break the bank and is good for an 8 year old to watch?

I am in Herts - so I struggle with events down your way.....but maybe have a look on the British show jumping association website....they will have affiliated shows that you should be able to go to -= and they should be free.... Round our way there is Quainton, bury farm, and Addington. Oh - just a thought your mustn't be too far from Hickstead? You could look on there website too.....I don't think Hickstead would necessarily be free.
If it's not straight show jumping, and you want a day out, I think the 4 star 3 day events are fab and I love the cross country days, .....by this I mean the likes of Badminton and Burghley.
Then at the end of the year (which you have just missed) I think Olympia is really cool....I have taken the kids the last 3 years - and this year they really got it - they are now 6 and 10yrs....I think I wasted the money in the last 2 years.

Thanks. It doesn't have necessarily to be free but I don't want to spend a fortune, a smaller event may show if she is really interested enough to follow it.

Yes, the Olympia event triggered it a bit, a friend went and her daughter attends the same school as DD.

Does she want to see just show jumping, eventing or would she be happy with a county show which would include some working hunter and some show jumping.

Your geographic area is quite big - can you be a little more specific and I'd be happy to make some suggestions.

The only horse shows which charge are Royal International and Hickstead Derby, HOYS and Olympia and they are great but expensive. County shows are also quite expensive but are a great day out for the whole family. Most show jumping (unless International) and horse shows are free to attend. Cross Countries can be free/cheap unless they are high end like Burghley and Badminton etc which are very expensive.

I agree that Hickstead and County shows are great days out (eg Kent County / South of England show / Oxted and Edenbridge). If you look in the 'local' free papers (Friday-Ads etc), they often do free tickets for Hickstead (I think BHS magazine did last year too?)

Alternatively, can you let people know roughly where you are / what sort of jumping she would be most interested in (cross country / show jumping etc)? There are lots of events that are free to spectate at so if you give us a narrower area, someone may be able to help

Thanks for the replies. We are in Bromley, that's SE London/Kent border. We are happy to travel and maybe even stay overnight as we normally do this at least once a year to go somewhere which is too far for a day out.

I will have a look for County Shows, I know they exist but never really knew what actually went on.

I remember seeing the international events on TV as a teenager (love horses but riding was out of question) and would think they are far too "over the top" for DD, something she could see close, maybe with some children's program or younger jumper may appeal more to her.

Ok so you've got Surrey County show in Guildford (bit townie but easy to get around), Kent County Show at Detling (huge, top names and really great one to go to - our DD always rides there), Edenbridge and Oxted Show (not been but well regarded) all within striking distance. If you Google them you'll find out all about them. All of them will have show jumping and Working Hunter (where they jump rustic jumps and then do a show class). You're not too far from Hickstead which is show jumping heaven. Watch out for the Royal International and Hickstead Derby days.

The local rider magazine and horsemart both do free tickets to Hickstead every year, it's normally the first weekend in August. It's a good one to go to as it has kids jumping in the smaller rings as well as the international classes in the Main ring so lots to see, hide your credit card though, there's LOADS of shopping for a pony mad child

Thanks all. I think we will do Hickstead and will keep my eyes out for free tickets.

Kat - It is her birthday mid-July, we may keep some budget aside, thanks for the warning.

We go to Olympia in London in December and Blenheim cross-country in September. We find cross-country is better for ds as we can walk from fence to fence. I also look at our local riding club and go to some of their shows, so the kids can see other kids riding and entering classes. Great fun!

As a freebie what about the jumping at Bury farm at the end of Feb? Think they have one novelty class which is bareback jumping? I only know as a friend wanted to borrow dpony for her daughter but then realised there's a 14+ age limit. Think it's a whole weekend show. Bury farm has an indoor seated area and a cafe. They have s gala night in October which apparently is fab too, similar to Olympia apparently in terms of events but only £10 a ticket!