Oregon High desert classic footing?

[onlyTBmares]

Who has been to high desert classic and can give a good review of the footing. I’ve heard it’s very hard and in general a little rough because it’s not a show grounds outside of the couple weeks of shows. My 18 year old had a minor superficial digital flexor tendon strain around February 1st. He’s cleared by the vet and back in full work going happily and enthusiastically but I’m a little protective of him. I love him, he’s my only horse and there’s no money to have another one coming behind him. My trainers stance is that, yes the footing is a little hard but it’s good enough week 1. I know my horse has a limited amount of time jumping at this height. On one hand, I want to do everything to preserve him. On the other hand, I would love to have one last good show season. I know I can’t preserve him forever, he is aging no matter what I do, and it would only be one of three weeks of showing in his year.

So of people who have shown there, what are you reviews? If you had an 18 year old doing the 1.0m would you ask them to jump around on it? Am I totally insane and over protective?

[NWreader]

It’s been quite a few years since I’ve been there so take this with a big grain of salt.

I wasn’t impressed with the quality of the warm up rings or the show rings. The warm up rings had multiple cones placed around to indicate warnings of footing that needed work, which made warming up with a full ring difficult. The transition from the synthetic warm up ring to the grass show ring was a little daunting on a green horse, but they got used to it quickly.

The grass show ring I rode in for 1.0m jumpers was a bit hard and slick even with studs. I rode cautiously and took wide turns which was fine, but overall kept us out of the ribbons. I remember it being quite an expensive show as well, so I would expect a bit higher quality.

[aBayDay]

From what I remember, the footing is best early on in the season. Spring rains usually leave the grass rings pretty rideable for the first show, but a lack of rain all summer makes later shows a little sketchy even with studs. I’ve only ridden there once, and have gone to support barn friends a few other times. I doubt I will show there again unless footing improvements are made. I enjoy riding in grass rings in general, but when the ground is as hard/dry as it gets in Bend, it makes for really slippery riding.

[kenyarider]

If it’s your last season with this horse, I’d try the Wilsonville shows. They recently redid the footing I believe and of course the Washington shows now pretty much have good footing, even at the Monroe fairgrounds. Bend can be absolutely boiling hot even the first week and you have to warm up in tiny sand rings and then go on grass. Not fun.

[onlyTBmares]

Ugh I did one week at Wilsonville last year and I will never go again. I really would rather just not show than go there. I wish I got to to two weeks at split rock, but sigh

[onlyTBmares]

I am doing Cle Elum which I have heard excellent things about, I might just do a couple weeks there. I

[aBayDay]

Cle Elum is fantastic, by far my favorite venue in the OR/WA area. The trails are so nice to have right off of the stabling area, last summer the show hosted lots of fun events, and the whole atmosphere felt very positive. Wilsonville was okay a few years ago, but every year it seems to get less and less fun. Which is too bad because it’s the closest venue to me.

[Hoofbeat_Heartbeat]

Did 3 weeks at Wilsonville last summer and quite enjoyed it! My first time there so perhaps I was viewing it with “newcomer” eyes.

I really appreciated being able to stay at my own home and commute to the show; a novelty I haven’t experienced before (moved to OR from CA).

[LeftCoast]

I went to Wilsonville and Bend last year. Here are my thoughts:

1. Bend’s footing held up well through both weeks. It wasn’t nearly as torn up week 2 as we’ve seen in past years - probably because both weeks were very lightly attended. They put the 1.0 jumpers in the GP ring during week 2 last year. A cool experience but definitely something to consider if it’s right for your horse. Not sure if they’ll do the same this year.

2. While Wilsonville’s footing has always been fine, drainage has been the challenge. Show management has put a ton of time/effort/money into property improvements over the last year, including whatever that trendy footing is in the main hunter ring and a drain in the stabling area to prevent standing water. I heard they’re re-doing more footing this spring?

I’ll be the minority on this forum that loves Wilsonville and hates TBird, but I guess that means there are more stalls available for those heading to Canada.

[onlyTBmares]

This is definitely the first time I’ve heard anyone say they would pick Wilsonville over Tbird! I didn’t get into Tbird this year and was hoping to do at least one week but the wait list is in the hundreds as someone who needs to budget cost and PTO hoping to make it in doesn’t work for my planning.

The derby ring at Wilsonville is beautiful now, but I do jumpers. I actually was going to do a hunter class last year because I wanted a photo in that ring but they cancelled the photographer because entries were so low. That is one of my biggest complaints last year that I spent all that money on my one rated show of the year and didn’t get photos. I know that’s a little petty but it was my second rated show of my life and I wanted a nice photo for the thousands of dollars I spent.

[LeftCoast]

One more thought - you’re probably already doing this, but I’d consider consulting with your vet given your horse’s injury and that Bend generally necessitates the use of studs on the grass fields. Studs, while providing traction, may potentially exacerbate injuries by restricting natural foot rotation and causing leg twisting. Similar to how soccer cleats offer grip but may increase knee strain.

What a bummer about the photographer! Getting good photos is a top priority and I agree that the main hunter ring with the hills in the background makes for a lovely shot. I loved the model they used last year where you paid a flat fee on your entry and got all your photos for no extra charge but would be very disappointed if there was no photographer there at all.

[onlyTBmares]

That’s a good point about the studs on grass. I did Split Rock two years ago when they had it in Portland and he jumped so great on the grass but he’s two years older and one tendon injury later. I’ll ask my vet next time she’s out. The heat concerns me as well. He’s a big bay boy and he doesn’t love the heat. I’m a northern Michigan girl by birth so it doesn’t suit me either.

[kenyarider]

If I were still showing, here’s my list in order of preference: Thunderbird (but the border is going to be moving target this year), Monroe Fairgrounds (they have new footing and I’m not going for ambiance), Wilsonville, Cle Elm (I hate, hate, hate the warm up rings) and lastly Bend. It’s sad because in the old days we had Bend, Brawley’s and Hood River and all were lovely as was Wilsonville before the divorce split it in two. Those days are gone. I even rode in Tbird’s hunter ring when it had grass. Loads of fun!

[BellaFortuna]

I haven’t been to Bend in years, but word from the barn over years is that the footing is hard, especially the second week. I would talk to your vet.

Footing for me is really important, esp. because my horse has limited jumps. I would rank the NW shows in this order: Thunderbird, Monroe, Cle Elum, Wilsonville, and Bend.

@kenyarider: I miss the days of the Country Classic at its height. I remember the days when it was 600-800 horses with a 40k Grand Prix. It’s sad to see how it’s changed (in terms of attendance) and other venues have disappeared. It feels like the NW show scene and options are shrinking.

[Olivia_M]

I have showed at bend the past 5 years and hear is what i think:

The footing is good week 1, but it tends to get torn up during week 2, especially in the main hunter and jumper rings. It has gotten better over the years, but seams to be on and off.