Hi folks,
So DD's first season competing on new and on-the-young-side pony has gone very well, and they are having so much fun, both loving being in the ring jumping. They're a bit scrappy in the school at home but when they get into the jumping ring it's like they flick a switch and they are this gorgeous partnership.
We've been indoor and outdoor and they're doing best at 60-65-70-75 kind of levels (DD is 10 and pony is just under 13hh so probably won't go much bigger). They have had so much fun and we're thinking about bigger shows next year, and it turns out that 2-3 of the venues/organisations where we normally compete (including RC where DD is a member) are also TB qualifiers. Had we been there earlier in the season she would have qualified many times over (is usually placing in top 3 at relevant/qualifying events that we have been to this season).
So......has anybody been to TB championships? What's it like? Pros and cons? I am guessing it will be expensive, but that aside, what should we expect? What's the atmosphere like? Does it feel like an exciting place where people go for a great event and to do their best and be happy, or is it super competitive with people staring down the competition? I know it will be a step up, but how much, like....unrecognisable, or just more of the better people that she's already competing against? Anything we should be aware of before going ahead with 'seriously considering'?
Happy to hear good and bad things, don't want to attempt it if it will just be miserable, and hard.