As its been heavily raining down this way(yesterday and over night) I was wondering if anyone who has been there today can advise what the state of the ground is like. I know our fields are very muddy and you do need wellies, so I think i'll be packing mine for tomorrow anyway. Forecast for tomorrow isn't looking promising either..
http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/4275

I avoid Richmond like the plague after the other year.  Shame as its a nice show ground.

I don't think its as bad as THAT year!  So hopefully won't be a mudbath ! 

Sunday looks better :)

If we have a drier summer next year, I might try it lol.

LOL I thought we had had a drier summer this year?  Where do you live - in the south its been fine!

Richmond was hot last year when I went. It has been dry down here until recently and its been dry so far today, but yesterday the heavens literally just opened - like we were in a monsoon - unless you're Rachel and then she seems to only get a whole lot of sunshine while everyone else around her has rain ;-)

the field wasnt muddy very damp first thing but improved throughout the morning, from the car to the entrance in was a bit muddy but i didnt have wellies and got through it ok

It is due to rain a little overnight so the entrance will be very muddy, the grass in the carparks is very long and the wet weather tent is the old fashioned 'sweaty' type... £27 a class...... !!

just came back from Richmond the ground was surprisingly dry. Infact I wore flipflops all day and came back bone dry as well as sitting on the grass. There was no sign of mud that I saw

It is due to rain a little overnight so the entrance will be very muddy, the grass in the carparks is very long and the wet weather tent is the old fashioned 'sweaty' type... £27 a class...... !! Shocking really and they wonder in addition to all the other issues why entries are down.

There's no need to charge that much.  That was another reason why I never considered it.  Why pay for the hassle of the other year.

Entry fees have gone up in general, Im sure they didn't need to put such prices on.  Why not just an extra £2.00.  Some are as much as £5.00.  Two dogs and it adds up.  My hubby keeps pointing out to me its over £100 per trip.

the price is silly, i would usually take 2 dogs but only taking 1, did not even go the last 2 yrs.
I would not be going this yr, if not car sharing with a friend in another breed.
TOO EXPENCIVE, I will not be going to the show's that are miles away as the fule cost's alone put it out of my price range never mind the entry fee's, its turning into an elite sport again to go with it being bent, so why spend my money on just making up numbers, when you watch the group ring you can pick out the winners from the faces, even when the dogs are not on top form or fully fit.

the ground was fine friday and a very pleasant show

Getting a tad muddy now - I came back with very wet boots and wet and muddy bottom of my trousers.

Was very pleasant, but for the price I was expecting the kind of Facilities we had at Southern counties, Bath, and Three Counties, in out rings with Benches more or less but them.

I had entered my young champion bitch and her Mum, as the one good thing was Veteran classes in the breed.  Lexi was 7 last week so was able to bring two. 

She did well too considering she only had puppies 4 months and 5 days ago, (most coated breeds are rarely fit to be seen until pups near enough 6 months), she won her class, and then was second in the Veteran stakes.

The main problem is that if you have more than one dog it is hard to get from ring to bench to change so you need to bother someone at the ringside who doesn't have a dog in hand to hold your other exhibit..

For the entry fee it was pathetic.  Not even the tents were numbered, nor had notices showing which tent was deisgnated for which breeds.  Our tent certainly was not the tent shown on the download exhibitor information leaflet.  And the number cards were not even in numerical order to cap it off.  I had 5 dogs with consecutive numbers and they were all over the place.  The car park attendant in Car Park A on the first day was on his own and it was beyond one person's ability to cope with the rush of early cars.  Hence the parking lines were all over the place and it ended up with what was supposed to be the exit lane being blocked for a long time.  Mind you the idiots that parked there could well see it was a designated exit route.  Wish they would go back to their 2007 layout of covered rings and at least an air of organisation.

> And the number cards were not even in numerical order to cap it off

We had people in our tent moving all over the place which made it harder for others with our breed and different breeds to figure out where they should be. Now if they weren't all in numerical order then we've got no hope :-(

> For the entry fee it was pathetic.

Does it cost more to hire this place than any other hence the reason for inflated prices?  Why don't they move the whole thing to Ardingly? Would be cheaper and there is plenty of room, if they can run the South of England show there and cope with the huge numbers of cars, then I can't see an issue with a dog show..

We too commented about missing the in and out tents - Richmond used to be one of my favorite shows - so well run and loved the in and out tents.   The grass didn't appear to have been cut - so long in the rings - and it looked a mess all round!

Someone suggested the society are struggling financially?

The good thing is our bench cards were in numerical order!

>Why don't they move the whole thing to Ardingly? Would be cheaper and there is plenty of room, if they can run the South of England show there and cope with the huge numbers of cars, then I can't see an issue with a dog show..

but it is Richmond show ... I know its currently in Guildford but Ardingly is miles away from Richmond.

OK Claire... i'll give you that... lol  Just want a show back there again, maybe Southern Counties could do that then..

Just had a look and wondered whether Richmond Park could be used or either Kempton, Epsom or Ascot could be used? Have no idea of cost but Loseley Park much as it is a lovely place i'm sure being as what it is would cost a lot of money to hire..

Back to Ascot, I say ... 10 minutes down the road for me! Unfortunately, I suspect they are either not welcome or priced out since the redevelopment of the racecourse. :-(

M.

shame i liked Ascot too M.

Not been to Richmond since it moved from Ascot but seem to remember it never was one of the shows that had the benching near the ring, well at least for our breed they did not, could be the case of requiring a new layout designer who has a modicum of lateral thought. Now for me if they are going to move to a different venue and a racecourse then Newmarket would suit me fine, LOL.

As Richmond is the show used to stage the JHA semis it seems strange they chose one so far away from the centre of the country may be they, the JHA, should choose a different show at a different venue.

> It is due to rain a little overnight so the entrance will be very muddy, the grass in the carparks is very long and the wet weather tent is the old fashioned 'sweaty' type... £27 a class...... !!

I paid a pound or 2 more than that for a cat show on Saturday and  it gave me 4 classes for my entry fee.  My cat was awarded her 3rd ImperialGrand CC and the most fabulous rosette for that (2 feet long including tails!), 8th Grand CC (Another 2ft rosette), BOB (Ditto) and 2x 2nd's in the side classes (Smaller rosettes). From what I heard about Richmond, the rosettes were tiny or in the case of the BPIB, they cost 4p but £4.95 in postage to claim it!

If that happened they would halve their entry, now why not move it to Newbury ;)

> maybe Southern Counties could do that then..
>
>

By moving to Newbury they have managed to increase their entry as it is easier for exhibitors from the other side of the M4 to attend coming down the A etc.

>If that happened they would halve their entry, now why not move it to Newbury

Amen to that Barbara. I know it's nice to stay near the society's heartland, but I think a venue that works for the paying public more important.

Car parks at Richmond on Saturday decidedly dodgy, and we've really not had a huge amount of rain. Wouldn't have liked to have driven there in 'that' year.

M.

I agree re the no numbers on tents, we had been moved, our benching in one tent our ring in another so everyone was trying to carry their dogs over the mud.
The caravan park (£60 no matter how long you stayed!) was nowhere near as crowded as it had been in previous years, I wouldn't have paid that for it but my husband stewards so we do get that, he got the princely sum of £7 per day :) good job he enjoys it!!!

I know it is very difficult to organise a show and the weather has a lot to answer for but societies have to remember that people are looking where they spend their money and need to do better.

I believe the cost of the venue is v expensive and they have to use certain cateres.

If the venue is that expensive then I am sure they would do better to move to a venue that is more accessible, Newbury would be far easier for most people mind you I do feel for the people who live in Kent and E. Sussex beyond the M25 as they must love not having to use it on the way to a show for the rest of us though it makes getting to a show (particularly if always classified on a Friday) almost out of the question.

Wouldn't it be nice if all shows that take place on more than one day rotated the day the groups were scheduled for.

> I do feel for the people who live in Kent and E. Sussex

Why thank you ;-)

> (particularly if always classified on a Friday) almost out of the question.

Almost any CH show i'd have to use the M25 apart from Richmond(as it is now) and Bournemouth. If I were to use the back roads it would take me a lot longer to get anywhere..
I think they should rota it like they do for Crufts, makes sense...

I was not too impressed by the lack of ease or help for the exhibitor.  For some reason I forgot to buy a catalogue with my online entry, did not realise this till I printed off the pass but not too bothered as I thought I would buy one at the show - arrived to be told not catalogues would be sold until Noon!  As was there with nephew for the JHA, this was not helpful as we had no idea how many in breed classes, nor where we were meant to be benched. Only security staff on gate and they had no idea whre the breeds were meant to be. Went to the main gate to see if there were boards giving ring/bench details, and if catalogues were available there ( a booth was handing out paid for ones) and was told they would not be selling till 11.30)  3 "Official gentlemen were standing by the entrance, so I asked which tent we were benched in, and was generally treated as a less than important or sensible species!  I was first told the details were in the catalogue, and when I explained the situation they exchanged disapproving looks, then told me we were in tent B.  I asked if they could tell me the bench number (again, no catalogue) and with an admonishing tone, I was told that was in the catalogue too -  not helpful for someone who had been refused a catalogue!  I had to virtually beg for them to look up the number in one of the 3 catalguees they were carrying between them.  They wanted me to go back to the ring where I had parked the trolley, nephew and dog so he could be got ready and collect the exit pass which had the number on it - half way across the show ground and in the opposite direction from where they had indicated the benching tent was.

Finally found tent B (nothing to tell which tent was which) and discovered only 1 number for the dog, not the usual 2, and no actual bench allocated - his number was directly over a partition, with the benches on either side allocated.  The breed seemed to be benched with another breed in between sets of benches, as to number ot the left was sequential with out number, but the number to the right was was 100's different, as were the next batch of benches, and it then went back to our breeds numbering - very strange and a nightmare to find numbers.

Don't think would ever bother entering here again if it were not for the JHA finals.  Exhibitors are certianly thought of as the least important component of the show.

I think keeping shows in their named locality for the sake of it regardless of the suitability of the ground is unecessary these days.  Look at Manchester, do we want the old days back in the city of multi story car parking and a far from dog friendly location?  No.  It works much better at Stafford and is far easier access for everyone countrywide.  Newbury is not a million miles from Richmond and would make a much better venue, windy though it can be.  And the road access is far better.  Even asking so called officials for basic information last Friday drew blank looks, no one seemed to have a clue what to do.

£60 for caravan parking is outrageous.  Again I would park at least one night prior to my classes, and at times would like to stay on the following night but objecty on principle to paying for the whole duration regardless.  Caravan sites do not charge you for a week if you only want one night.  It is not as though the shows provide electric hookups, or even decent facilities.  In Europe generally I pay around 20 Euro for 2 days on a showground, often with electric.  Here I have not bothered to stay on a showground now for 2 years.

I don't ever recall Richmond having in out tents?

We had been moved to a benching tent nearer to last years ring, but our ring had been moved further in the other direction lol

> Wouldn't it be nice if all shows that take place on more than one day rotated the day the groups were scheduled for.

I think Group rotation should be compulsory.

Wouldn't it be nice if all shows that take place on more than one day rotated the day the groups were scheduled for.<br />I think Group rotation should be compulsory.


So do I, it seems unfair that the same exhibitors are always having to take time off work and find child/dog sitters.

and of course some people find weekends or particular weekend days not good for them so rotation would be fair to all.

I don't ever recall Richmond having in out tents?

They had covered rings in 2007.  Big tents but open on all 4 sides.  Nice as the benching was so far away it was impossible to use for dogs in consecutive classes so at least we could have crates in the shade.  I honestly believe the folks that organise dog shows, and do the show layouts have never handled a dog in their life never mind exhibited one.

and of course some people find weekends or particular weekend days not good for them so rotation would be fair to all.

True, of course, I selfishly think of all the times I have been put off going to shows at the NFC on a Friday.

We too commented about missing the in and out tents - Richmond used to be one of my favorite shows

They had covered rings in 2007.  Big tents but open on all 4 sides

Yes they did, didn't they, down the centre....we were in an open ring on the outside though lol

> 3 "Official gentlemen were standing by the entrance, so I asked which tent we were benched in, and was generally treated as a less than important or sensible species!&nbsp;

I'm glad to say that #i had the opposite experience at Wales.  I had my catologue but not my glasses.  The official happily looked it all up for me and made sure I was ok finding it all.  He even found my friends numbers for me so that #i could take them back.  lovely experience.  Shame its not like that at every show.

So glad I opted to stay away from Richmond.  Did they improve the drive to the carparking?  it was lethal the other year and they appeared not to care that people could actually have a crash going down that hill.

> Did they improve the drive to the carparking?

I've been for the past 2 years and never experienced any issue with parking or the ground for driving on. I wasn't at the show when it was a quagmire so I guess you are talking about that time?
Have to say Windsor is my favourite show..

> Have to say Windsor is my favourite show

has always been mine too - not for luck just love the setting - the weather has usually been kind there too (touches wood quickly!)

> not for luck just love the setting

Tell me about it.. lol... Don't have any luck there...
Richmond is my lucky show currently... Also 3 Counties Showground for the shows there.

> Richmond is my lucky show currently...

well this year it was for us too - and one other year had a great show with Maxy too :)

I must say for organisation and the most stress free showing day with multiple dogs Southern Counties this year wins hands down, as for pleasant setting, can't beat Malvern, though sadly we have no CC's there any more at any show, but I still enter 3 Counties, and next year we have classes back at WELKS with no CC's.

My local show Bath try hard and make improvements every year.

Been pretty lucky over the years with Windsor, though the show itself is very pricey re refreshments and always iffy with traffic.

We didn't make it to Southern Counties this year - was that where the completely changed the layout ?  Think read about it! were the tents in the middle and the rings on the outside??? or am I getting confused lol!

Yes Malvern is pleasant but the weather is usually not so pleasant (well the years I have been) plus its a right trek for me!

Yes the downside with Windsor is its refreshment pricing - we always take a picnic to that one :)

We didn't make it to Southern Counties this year - was that where the completely changed the layout ?  Think read about it! were the tents in the middle and the rings on the outside??? or am I getting confused lol!

No talking about Richmond

Yes they had all the tens in the centre with a walkway in the middle, and all the rings were on the outside half in and half out of the tend. 

Benches were generally close to the relevant breed ring, certainly close enough to change dogs.

It made it easy to look at other breeds judging in any dead moments and spot freinds, and the main ring was outside one end.

I know we are talking about Richmond I replied to Brainless who mentioned Southern Counties...

I can be blonde sometimes but not that much :)

well I had no probs. Drove straight into cp A. parked within 20 yds of the show entrance. Found my numbers without any probs. the ring was large and short grass and  it all seemed a jolly pleasant place to be (apart from the odd judging LOL)