Area 1 riders, why didn't YOU go to Groton House?

[Hawks_Nest]

My barn no longer goes for several reasons, it is expensive, it is 3 full days away from the farm, and it is almost always very hot.

Instead we go up to Canada to Napierville HT which runs through intermediate, has a much more relaxed atmosphere, it cheaper, and has questions on XC that make Groton house look simple without being intimidating thanks to the atmosphere. It also only runs 2 days, dressage and XC the first day and then stadium the second day in a real derby field. We’ve slowly been converting all of our friends to going up there and having a blast doing it.

[frugalannie]

Thanks to all for your thoughtful responses. The spectator friendly part can be addressed, I hope, on the website and with better deployment of posters/ signage. There is a balance with spectators as we found the year of the Olympic mandatory outing. If too many spectators come, it can be a bit claustrophobic for the horses. If there’s no one there (usually due to bad weather) it can feel very bleak. There’s a sweet spot in between and I think we were on the low side of that this year. But that’s no reason not to do a better job!

One of the reasons the BN is unrecognized is expense, I think. But I’ll raise the point and ask.

And Hawk’s Nest, happy to hear about Napierville. We need more events like that while preserving that great events that we have. And lots of eventers to enter them!

[ozjb]

Quick question about too many spectators . . . isn’t that just what one would want if they are hoping to compete internationally? Our poor horses here must get quite a shock when they go someplace where there ARE people (other than the groom or Mom) watching!

[frugalannie]

ozjb, you’re right, of course. But GHF no longer does the upper levels where large crowds are a given. I’m talking about a really large crowd of spectators, BTW. And there are so many horses, riders or combinations that are still on a steep learning curve that an ginormous crowd complicates the process. It also makes the venue much more about crowd control. Please note that I am writing this to reflect my thoughts only and not those of any officials or anyone else involved with GHF.

[ozjb]

Now I understand! If any spectators showed up at my local horse trials ( I am on the committee), no one would have time to do anything with them! We do have one designated PR person who squires the local TV guy around if he shows up. It’s not a big job, but I am really glad someone else is doing it!