Ledges is “land locked” so I don’t think that they have any space at all to build another indoor.
One would think that the Chicago/South East WI horse market could support a real indoor show facility with a proper footing and schooling areas.
NEC needs a major “face lift” from the footing up and even though it was a 7 hr. drive for us we choose to go there over Ledges more times than not.
pds- I so agree with you!
I would also think in this economy, a lot of people would not go down to Wellington if there was a really nice facility up here for the winter. Well, maybe, maybe not, but I do agree that this area desperately needs a really nice winter facility with multiple indoors.
[QUOTE=headsupheelsdown;5088448]
pds- I so agree with you!
I would also think in this economy, a lot of people would not go down to Wellington if there was a really nice facility up here for the winter. Well, maybe, maybe not, but I do agree that this area desperately needs a really nice winter facility with multiple indoors.[/QUOTE]
Agreed! Like I said, I like Ledges in summer, but my goodness is it ever unpleasant in winter due to the miniature schooling area and pretty-darn-small show ring. I think they are doing the best they can with what is available, but the thought of taking a greenie there just makes me want to puke, lol.
If the STL folks really do read this thread: please fix the footing, as I’ve got a cute little TB who really wants to get out and about this winter! 
They are listening
Seriously, I spoke with someone on the new management team. They say footing is one of their highest priorities. Do you know John McQueen? He is leading this. Good Guy! Big R judge and course designer. His kids show so I think he knows what we all want.
I will post new info as I get it.
I’m excited John is managing the shows now - I have known him for 18 or so years now and he does a fantastic job. He has some cool things in the works I have been hit or miss with getting to those shows in Dec and maybe Jan but I will make a point to try to go this year now
Bringing back the thread - would like to hear some more discussion on the Ledges vs St Louis winter series venues/shows/management/experience. Sounds like footing can be iffy.
Group of us are trying to decide where to head for the winter - Ledges is closer by 2ish hours, but I know there are two show rings and two warm-up rings for the St Louis shows (which I found nice/manageable). Is the Ledges venue that crazy/hectic with the jumpers warming up with the hunters? Is the show ring and warm-up ring REALLY that small? (to the point where you say ‘dang, not worth it, wont go back again’?) Most of us will be taking jumpers, FWIW.
I’m asking more Ledges questions because I have been to a St Louis winter show a couple years ago and am familiar with their venue.
[QUOTE=hydro101;5945353]
Bringing back the thread - would like to hear some more discussion on the Ledges vs St Louis winter series venues/shows/management/experience. Sounds like footing can be iffy.
Group of us are trying to decide where to head for the winter - Ledges is closer by 2ish hours, but I know there are two show rings and two warm-up rings for the St Louis shows (which I found nice/manageable). Is the Ledges venue that crazy/hectic with the jumpers warming up with the hunters? Is the show ring and warm-up ring REALLY that small? (to the point where you say ‘dang, not worth it, wont go back again’?) Most of us will be taking jumpers, FWIW.
I’m asking more Ledges questions because I have been to a St Louis winter show a couple years ago and am familiar with their venue.[/QUOTE]
The Ledges warm-up area is very, very small. Level of hectic varies depending on time of day, etc., but it is small no matter how you slice it. I’m not really good at describing space, but let’s just say that if the space was otherwise empty (cleared of jumps, etc.), I do not think you could comfortably lunge two horses in there at the same time.
Now that Queenie Productions is running the shows NEC any other input from people?
Queenie Productions (not to be confused with Queeny Park! - this is John McQueen and his crew) does a very good job at NEC. Footing gets worked more frequently, schedule seems to run better, courses for jumpers are good, with a variety of course designers. I certainly give it “thumbs up”, and the warm up area is a good size.
I would vote for Lake St. Louis over Ledges any day!
The entire Ledges ring and schooling ring could fit in what everyone refers to as the “little ring” in St. Louis (which is actually not little at all! 130’x235’) with room to spare.
I’ve shown in St Louis a lot and the footing has always been acceptable and a priority. Like every multi-discipline venue there are always challenges, but they certainly make an effort to make it suitable. I would imagine with the addition of a $25000 derby it will certainly be in the minds of show management.
[QUOTE=FineAlready;5945494]
The Ledges warm-up area is very, very small. Level of hectic varies depending on time of day, etc., but it is small no matter how you slice it. I’m not really good at describing space, but let’s just say that if the space was otherwise empty (cleared of jumps, etc.), I do not think you could comfortably lunge two horses in there at the same time.[/QUOTE]
IIRC, the entire indoor riding space at Ledges is an arena 86 by 300, that is divided into a 86x200 show arena and a 86x100 warm up. The heat is really good though, and the cheeseburgers are some of the best I have ever tasted at a showgrounds. St. Louis is just so far.
If you’re talking food, Ledges has awesome chicken noodle soup. The food at STL is so-so, but there are many restaurants in a 5 minute drive if you’re craving McD’s, Taco Bell, Panera, etc.
I heard that Queenie is limiting the entries to the December shows to 500 horses…so if you’re going, you need to get entries in asap.
OK … heres my two cents.
First of all, Ledges is about an hour away for me. St. Louis is 5-6 in GOOD driving conditions, I have heard stories about it being a 12 hour drive in icky weather. (PASS!!!)
Second of all, I prefer the footing at Ledges. The indoor is re-graded every fall and fresh and ready for the winter season. The footing at STL was hard and packed into their feet and had them walking on big clumps of dirt. (PASS)
Third of all, Ledges traffic is pretty predictable. Friday nights?? NOT greenbean time. Sat/Sun during pony divisions NOT greanbean friendly. Thurs/Fri during baby greens and all pro divisions? Not so bad. Have one you want in a quiet ring? Be on 10 mins before the show starts, and go in the ring first(assuming it does baby green)… I would bet a pretty penny you will be in the schooling ring with maybe one other horse. In the mornings if you need to school, come early… don’t wait till the mad rush at the end of schooling time.
At ledges you can jump everything in the morning which i liked for my green horses. Even with the upstairs balcony, I find my horses are far less spooky that those silly aluminum bleachers at STL. The bleachers combined with the footing packed in your horses feet flying out of the ring can really send a young one flying. It can sound like gunfire when those dirt clumps hit the bleachers.
Ledges jumps are prettier, concession food is delicious, Ann Hubbards right there at the show, the office staff is friendly, the management has always been OVERLY accommodating to me. Even to the point of staying late on a sunday to allow me the jump one around that had a meltdown with a kid…
Overall, yes the schooling area has traffic, but its easy to predict when it will be quiet and when it won’t. I find it hard to rationalize the drive to STL unless you are going for a Prix or something.
[QUOTE=headsupheelsdown;5946117]
IIRC, the entire indoor riding space at Ledges is an arena 86 by 300, that is divided into a 86x200 show arena and a 86x100 warm up. The heat is really good though, and the cheeseburgers are some of the best I have ever tasted at a showgrounds. St. Louis is just so far.[/QUOTE]
Is it really!? The schooling area seems so much smaller than that. I told you I’m bad at describing space. For the record, you can also get a pretty good grilled cheese sandwich at Ledges. Still not worth going there in the winter in my opinion, though.
St. Louis ALL THE WAY!
Don’t get me wrong, Ledges was a great place to learn (and get that yummy chicken noodle soup). A lot of our beginners go there for their first few shows however, the ring is not conducive to bigger classes! Our barn does not show anything over 3’ in that indoor!
LOL this is outrageously untrue.
[QUOTE=hydro101;5945353]
Bringing back the thread - would like to hear some more discussion on the Ledges vs St Louis winter series venues/shows/management/experience. Sounds like footing can be iffy.
Group of us are trying to decide where to head for the winter - Ledges is closer by 2ish hours, but I know there are two show rings and two warm-up rings for the St Louis shows (which I found nice/manageable). Is the Ledges venue that crazy/hectic with the jumpers warming up with the hunters? Is the show ring and warm-up ring REALLY that small? (to the point where you say ‘dang, not worth it, wont go back again’?) Most of us will be taking jumpers, FWIW.
I’m asking more Ledges questions because I have been to a St Louis winter show a couple years ago and am familiar with their venue.[/QUOTE]
Depending on what kind of jumper classes you are looking for, STL might be your better option as they have more jumper classes available. The only jumper/hunter overlap is on friday nights as the JR’s and Big Eq are finishing and the jumpers are getting ready… otherwise the jumpers are the only horses in the ring when they go.
I concur that the footing there is less than ideal, and usually harder than a rock. My other complaint when showing there is the musty air. However, coming from 5 hours north it is the closest indoor show facility to us so we still travel.
Like ventilation? Air quality and the footing, oh and the little messed up one lane area behind the buildings to load and unload… We’ve thought about going this winter but I’m just not willing to take a chance on the footing.
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