Affiliated jumping - yes or no?

[Pleasedontdothat]

DD’s considering doing some affiliated shows but I’m wondering if it’s a good idea. Her horse is a 16hh ISH and their favourite things are jumping and xc. They’ve been doing clear rounds and unaffiliated shows but most of the unaffiliated shows around here only go up to 90. Their current ‘sweet spot’ for jumping is 90-115cm. 70’s a waste of time as he can basically just step over the jumps and he’s most likely to knock a pole at 80 as he thinks it’s the same as 70 and doesn’t bother to pick up his feet, but at 90 upwards he starts really enjoying it and making a lovely shape over the jumps.

I worry that affiliated shows, all the other horses will be in a different class and she’ll feel out of place when we turn up in our little trailer - it’s also quite expensive... so... is it worth it?

I'd def go for it, yes you'll likely see some nice horses and plenty of bling on show, but jumping more so than any other horsey discipline is based on results, so it doesn't matter whether you are the scruffiest there if you go clear - it's just a case of not letting the atmosphere get to you and go in with the attitude of doing the best you can, which of course is a good life lesson in itself! You could always do a few comps on a ticket first to see if you/she like it?

One thing I would say is that BSJA courses, even ones run at the same venues as unaffliated will likely be up to height/width, technical with related distances and probably quite 'dressed' with spooky fillers and course decorations , banners etc., and if she does make it into jump-off will be another 10% or so bigger. I say this not to put you off but just to manage expectations that even if she's really comfortable with the height at home and unaffiliated, don't underestimate the additional difficulty of full-up affiliated courses, try not to let her get too crushed if she's not jumping DCs straight away, and if they have a warm up 80cm class or a clear round first it's def worth doing that before she goes in for the BN/90cm, not with the aim of going clear or being devastated if he has a clumsy pole but just to get used to arena and course... good luck!

Def. give it a go.
Around here BS cat 1 shows often start with a 70/80cm unaff. class then go onto the 85cm D&H qualifier, then BN which is 90cm, then 95cm D&H and so on.
Make sure you understand the way the classes work ie single phase, 2 phase, table A4 etc. maybe go along and watch first?
You won't be out of place at all with a trailer, you get all sorts of horses and riders at BS.

Thanks that’s very helpful. It is all very confusing so I think going along to watch first would be a good idea.

Yes go for it.

It’ll be bigger than unaffiliated stuff though so be prepared.

Echo going for a reccy, with regards to your trailer- its what comes out of it that counts!

Is your DD in the Pony Club? We found PC Open level a useful stepping stone to BS, in that the courses are absolutely up to height and technical and built by a BS course builder, so you'll get the related distances, doubles, water trays, fillers etc. you often don't get unaffiliated. It's a lot more competitive, especially the summer and winter area qualifiers. DD also made masses of friends in PC and lots of them BS so it's home from home. She also is often competing against her PC instructor (who jumps at a fairly high level but has younger horses at Newcomers ) and gets encouragement there too.
We take one horse in scruffy trailer and V reg car (& also to BD ), there are plenty in same sort of transport, less so at dressage, but even there it's not just us in a 20 year old + vehicle.
Check what you local PC offers, the branches round here seem to have a good contingent of teenage + members and do offer a lot for those competing above 1m, lots of trainings (many instructors teach PC at a low cost, we've had fabulous inexpensive lessons with some great instructors) and there are plenty of regular competitions in our area which always include 1m+ classes to cater for the teenage+ members.

Agree with PC open level.
But BS you will have a range of people like your DD to big name pro riders with young/clients horses.
And so much sheepskin, as it is a known fact that the more dead sheep you put on a horse the better it jumps

Go for it! Dont worry what other people think of you rocking up in your trailer, be proud that you've both got the balls to go and take part! Best of luck!

Go for it. Maybe do the first few on tickets so she can get a feel for them without committing to a full membership?
I do BE mostly but do the odd BSJA and have never bothered registering as some of my local venues do free 'tickets' and I am not speedy enough to get placed anyway so don't worry about missing out on prize money or points.

Thanks - and at the sheepskin! She is in PC but most of the jumping seems to be 70/80 and to be honest, neither of us feels like heading off to somewhere far-flung and hanging around for hours for that ... maybe it’ll pick up in the summer ...

WR to PC - ASK, if they don't know people want to do that height they often don't as the classes can be small. Have a look online at last year's schedules if you can still find them and ask if they will be running the PC Open height.... IME they're usually first thing which is fab, rest of day to self or last thing and they've a good idea of time if you phone up the secretary and ask how many entries etc.

There is a discount for PC members registering with BS. It covers the PC member and one horse. Makes it a lot cheaper.