Is the camping area close to the arena? Is it mostly flat? Parking area paved, sandy, rocks, etc? Just trying to get a feel for the place before we leave home, never been there, haven't talked to anyone that has. Trying to figure out what to take with me for transportation around the arena/parking/campground area. Manual wheelchair + sand = stuck with possible chest pains!!!! A manual wheelchair in the sand will have you taking "nitro" tablets like a 10 year old fat boy eating M&M's!!!
Posted 2009-05-19 7:03 AM (#105130 - in reply to #105128) Subject: RE: Unadilla, Georgia
Location: Central Arkansas
Maybe if you called them, they could answer your questions and possibly make arrangements to best meet your needs. I have found that most of the folks out there are pretty accomadating. They are undergoing a major makeover so having a spot that better suits your needs reserved in advance may make the trip down more pleasant. I like to plan to arrive early before the masses whenever I am going into a new place or a place that I know may get tight as it feels up. Good luck and have a great time. The GA folks go out of their way to please!
Posted 2009-05-19 7:13 AM (#105132 - in reply to #105128) Subject: RE: Unadilla, Georgia
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 317 Location: Barnesville, Ga.
We attended a Mounted Drill Team competition there in March and loved this facility. It rained all day of the event and we were able to stay nice and dry thru the day. Barn and arena are all under one roof. The stalls are large with sliding style doors; bars on the top half of the stalls. Priefert style doors if you know what I mean. Isles were concrete and wide. Most of the outside parking is also concrete. You should have no problem getting around in this barn with a wheelchair. I believe the stall floors were dirt, but don't really remember since they already had shavings in when we arrived. I don't remember any stalls mats, but didn't need them. All horses seemed very comfortable. Even had a tack closet on the end of the isle we were on. Wash racks were large and water spigots on every isle. Other neat features were a hot walker in the center of the barn, a cafe next to the arena and a raised platform next to the arena so you can film or take pictures from a good angle without having to film thru the fence. We had a hook-up for our trailer right at the barn. We backed our rig up at the end of our aisle and plugged in. Even going in and out of the trailer we were able to stay very dry with serious thunderstorms and heavy rain going on during the entire event. The arena itself is older and our only small complaint was that when the rain got really heavy some small pieces of roof insulation would start snowing down into the arena occasionally. It wasn't a big deal and most of the horses didn't notice. I think the area around the arena is also concrete. The only dirt is in the arena itself and the staging/warm-up area. Make sure and take your own muck bucket; pick and hose. I didn't see any for use in the barn, but we usually don't at a show. I don't know when you going, but take some human and horse bug spray. Going south into this part of GA has fierce knats!! Good luck and hope this helps.
Posted 2009-05-19 11:36 AM (#105165 - in reply to #105128) Subject: RE: Unadilla, Georgia
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Thanks, brushycreek and tom-tom... Thanks for that review!!
I think, "one of the ladies" told my wife that we could back up to the barn hook and up to the electricity, if not we got "Yamaha Power".... Don't need any water and sewer, living out of the dressing room when we go to the shows... Roughing it!! LOL!! Jen paid for a camper hookup/spot in advance so maybe we'll have something we can use.
Oh... I know they have bathrooms, but do they have showers or will I have to get my shower at 02:00 in the horse, wash pit !? Staying four nights, hope they got hot water!!!
Posted 2009-05-19 12:34 PM (#105170 - in reply to #105128) Subject: RE: Unadilla, Georgia
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 317 Location: Barnesville, Ga.
They do have showers in the restrooms near the arena. I didn't really look at them closely while we were there, but you will have concrete flooring all the way to get to them. Have fun and don't forget the bug spray. I was serious about fierce knats in that part of GA.
Posted 2009-05-19 3:35 PM (#105182 - in reply to #105128) Subject: RE: Unadilla, Georgia
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 346
Call the arena numbers I think they have a web site. Ask for Bob. He owns the joint. If you need some type of special parking on the asphalt he probably can help out. There are numerous spots around the barn that you can hook up while backed up to the barn. You will need to un-hook your truck they are not for long trailers. However, they asphalt is all the way around the building. Concrete mostly inside with asphalt around the sitting area and concession. The parking out from the arena is not the flattest thing. Some are on a slope but most you can be level. None have sand around, if not asphalt, its hard clay or hard grass over clay.
Be prepared for when you go if its hot out it will be hot as hell inside. knats are common so bring something if you need it. You will have to drive to Cordele to get any type of resturant meals. I think the only thing there is subway and dairy queen.
Posted 2009-05-19 4:12 PM (#105184 - in reply to #105128) Subject: RE: Unadilla, Georgia
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Quote threemen... You will have to drive to Cordele to get any type of resturant meals.
Wow.. That's 20 mile in the OTHER direction. Nothing to gnaw on, in and around Unadilla other than a Subway, DQ, Romero's Place and the Country Boy's Cookin..... Might ease back up north to the Perry exit 135, that's a little closer, only 11 miles.
Thanks for all ya'll's help, already got one of those family size cans of Back Woods Off!!
Posted 2009-05-20 4:00 PM (#105246 - in reply to #105190) Subject: RE: Unadilla, Georgia
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 544 Location: Claxton, Ga.
LOL!!!! Ya'll kill me... Knats aren't that bad. You want to talk about a pain. Try sand Knats that bite. I totally loath being out near the saltmarsh/beach area on the Ga. coast in April-June time frame. They will drive you crazy!!!!!!!!
Tip: Don't leave your windows down in your vehicle. Little suckers will get in and decalare home....LOL
Posted 2009-05-20 6:19 PM (#105256 - in reply to #105128) Subject: RE: Unadilla, Georgia
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 317 Location: Barnesville, Ga.
Regardless of what you call them or how it's spelled, one fact remains. Pack plenty of bug spray for human and horses. I would also recommend a fan for you barn area. It can get pretty humid down there.
Posted 2009-05-20 6:40 PM (#105258 - in reply to #105128) Subject: RE: Unadilla, Georgia
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Got box fans for the horses and the tack room and one of those big honkin' 48" belt driven fans for me and everyone else stalled on our isle! That's one of the advantages in a 6 horse head to head, you can pretty much take just about everything!! Ya'll should come to our show we have on the Fourth of July weekend in Williamston, N.C., talkin about hot and humid, HELLO!
Posted 2009-05-20 9:42 PM (#105266 - in reply to #105128) Subject: RE: Unadilla, Georgia
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 544 Location: Claxton, Ga.
When is the show??? In late July and August you can cut the humidity at night with a knife. Walk outside in the dark and sweat....LOL Just watch the Gnats around your horses eyes. They will stick their head in front of the fan and not move...LOL It's hot in your area I am sure, you will see how it is down here...
Unadilla, Georgia
!? Staying four nights, hope they got hot water!!!