As requested, here are the results of our survey and various pieces of research:
Introduction
Showing as a discipline represents a diverse sector of the U.K. equine industry. It is embodied by a number of show and breed societies with one universal objective; they intend to improve the standards of breeding in the equines they represent.
Opportunities for exhibition include in-hand classes, flat ridden classes for show horses, sport horses, ponies, natives and coloured animals, working hunter classes to show off the horse's jumping ability and ladies classes that show off the suitability of a horse to carry a side saddle. There are classes for all competencies of horses and owners, starting from unaffiliated local level, progressing to affiliated shows specifically held for amateurs and home producers and ultimately to the classes that are predominately contested by professional producers and riders.
Societies typically hold their own prestigious championship shows for members. The two most celebrated shows in the UK showing calendar however, are the Royal International Horse Show and the Horse of the Year Show. Thousands of competitors from a wide range of the various societies strive to qualify for these two events every year.
Statistics
The showing industry compared to the wider context of the UK equine Industry:
The National Equestrian Survey data shows:
The main reasons for keeping a horse:
1998/99 2005/06 2010/11
Leisure 53% 65% 60%
Eventing 8% 7% 13%
Show-jumping 5% 7% 6%
Hunting 7% 4% 3%
Dressage 3% 7% 3%
Showing 5% 3% 2%
The percentage of riders that are members of a breed organisation:
In 2005/06: 2%
In 2010/11: 16%
Showing Industry statistics:
The Number of Royal International Horse Show qualifiers per year: 48
The number of Horse of the Year Show qualifiers per year: 105
Data from the National Equestrian Survey explored the attitudes towards equestrian organisations in 2005/06:
25% of the members of breed societies felt they received a good service
2% felt they received a poor service
The majority did not contribute opinions (for unknown reasons)
Our own research (2013) shows that:
57% think the breed society(ies) they are a member of offer them good value for money
43% think the breed society(ies) they are a member of offer them poor value for money
Changes in membership over a period of time in individual show societies:
Primary research
A survey was sent to both amateurs and professionals involved with exhibiting equines at shows. It aimed to gather opinions on where showing stands in the wider equine industry, where it's weaknesses may lie and what could be done in the future to drive the industry forward. We collected qualitative data to gain a deeper understanding of the variations in personal experience and opinion. The survey was published on SurveyMonkey and we used internet forums such as Horsegossip, The Show Ring, Horse and Hound and also Facebook to obtain our 122 respondents. (See appendix A)
An interview was conducted with Jo Jenkins, a professional producer since 1988 and member of the British Show Horse Association (BSHA) board. Jo's role predominately focuses on encouraging grass-roots riders to take part in the discipline and recruit new members to the society. Jo was asked questions on a variety of subjects, specifically: sponsorship, the cooperation of the different show societies and whether she had seen a rise or fall in interest. She was also asked about her aspirations behind the grass-roots initiative and whether or not they have been successful. Furthermore Jo commented on where she thought showing would change the most in the future. (See appendix B)
Evaluation
There are few available published statistics and a lack of consistency in the information that societies hold. Some were unable to produce past data. The British Equestrian Federation and the British Horse Society do not recognise showing as a "sport" within the equine industry.
Data from the National Equestrian Survey shows fewer horses are kept specifically for Showing compared to those kept for leisure and other UK disciplines; Show-Jumping and Eventing. In 2010 the same amount however, were kept for Dressage as Showing.
The showing figures show a steady decline since 1998. With the hugely successful GB Dressage team at the 2012 Olympics, the dressage industry is likely to have increased over the last two years, possibly leaving showing behind to be the least popular of the main disciplines to keep horses for.
These figures represent the number of horses kept for just showing, so it is not known from them if the number of horses used for showing as well as other disciplines and leisure has changed. They could indicate that there are less professionals concentrating purely on showing, but that numbers of leisure and all-round riders that keep horses that also compete in showing could be increasing. Our next set of statistics from the National Equestrian Survey support this theory. They show that in 2005/06 only 2% of riders belonged to a breed society, whereas in 2010/11 16% of riders belonged to a breed society. A showing "professional" would most probably have a number of show horses kept, but as a person they only need to belong to a society once. However as more leisure riders and one horse owners start to compete in showing, they register themselves but only one horse. This shows how the human membership numbers can be increasing, while the number of horses kept for showing is decreasing.
The interviewee Jo Jenkins raised an interesting point. She commented that in the current economic climate customers are becoming much more aware of receiving value for money. For example, when buying a show horse they expect it to also have a basic experience in other disciplines, and not be only a show horse. Professional dealers and producers who have also realised this will be introducing their horses to other disciplines and not keeping them only for showing if they want to maximise their financial potential.
The primary research that was conducted showed that only 37% of competitors felt that the showing industry had progressed at the rate of or further than other disciplines within the equine industry. Many respondents commented that some of the reason behind this is due to the fact that a lot of showing classes are based on tradition, therefore change and progress is not aimed for. It was also commented that although there are more classes and opportunities for riders, they have not necessarily improved standards of show ring turnout and horse production.
One of the main positive aims of showing is to improve and reproduce top quality bloodstock. For example, the National Pony Society (NPS) was formed in 1893, 'to encourage the Breeding, Registration and Improvement of Riding Ponies and Mountain & Moorland ponies and to foster the Welfare of Ponies in general'. Thus, by holding competitions that take into account the conformation, type, freedom of movement, manners and way of going of individual horses we are able to select the top quality horses and use them in breeding to enhance their individual breeds to their fullest potential. The number of different breed societies allows enthusiasts the chance to support the particular breed of their choice. The strategy for the horse Industry in England and Wales acknowledges the importance of preserving Britain's unique native breeds and the roles the societies play in this. The strategy also expresses the need for data to be shared between societies to maximise their potential. Nonetheless, Jo Jenkins stated that over the last 10 years there has been a considerable increase in communications between societies as they have "realised they are weaker without interaction."
Other disciplines could be criticised for neglecting to consider all types of horse and pony as able competitors, whereas the showing industry actively supports the entirety. The showing industry has been accredited with introducing classes open to endangered breeds such as the Eriskay pony. The Royal Highland Show (RHS) has established a class for this breed which has become very popular. Blair Castle International Horse Trials and the RHS also hold displays for Eriskay ponies to raise the profile of the breed (Melanie Scott, 2010).
In recent years the Racehorse to Riding Horse classes have become well established within County Show schedules. This is giving these animals an opportunity to extend their career and compete at top level. The Show Ring, 2008 state that: "The popularity of retired racehorses has increased immensely in the last few years as they have become more widely recognised as incredibly versatile, well-mannered and well bred horses that can excel in the show ring." These classes were first set up by Peter Gunn in 2002 and have been received positively since then.
This all-encompassing attitude is not restricted only to the horses involved; there are many opportunities for people to choose from, depending on their ability and specialisations. These include in-hand showing for non-riders, working hunter classes for those interested in jumping, equitation classes and side saddle classes amongst others. Classes are diversifying to offer more possibilities for competitors; the National Pony Society (NPS) holds working hunter classes for native ponies. Latterly the BSHA have taken heed of their example and introduced working show horse classes and best trained show horse classes which run on a similar basis to a freestyle dressage to music test.
It was acknowledged in the survey that biased judging was and is discouraging competitors, however as stated by Jo Jenkins she has seen a huge amount of improvement in this area over her showing career. She also commented how much Showing has changed in that in the late 1980s it was mainly male dominated. This suggests that showing as an industry is capable of evolving and developing.
The Showing Survey indicated that the current key issues within the industry relate to the negative suggestions of biased judging, the expense, and the number of breed societies.
The showing survey illustrated that the biggest problem faced by competitors is the expenses associated with transportation, entry fees and the upkeep of the horse. Due to the global economy people are now more aware of receiving better value for money. As mentioned by a showing survey respondent, at county shows there will usually only be one class for example, a lightweight hunter. These typically start at 7.30am; therefore overnight stabling usually has to be arranged at an extra expense. After the stabling costs, diesel costs and an upwards of £30 entry fee competitors may well ask themselves... is it really worth it?
The replies based on the question in the Showing Survey that asked what societies people belonged to showed that the majority belonged to more than one. One of the most frequent complaints was regarding the expense of joining multiple societies. One respondent answered "Only Equifest. Have been BSPS, P(UK), NPS members in the past but can't be bothered with it anymore and have no desire to pay their ridiculous fees." It is also daunting for the newcomer to the discipline to determine which societies they need to join for their chosen pony and class.
Following closely behind the expenses issue was the negative attitude displayed towards the opinionated nature of judging. Many competitors felt that the rider's identity was judged rather than the horse’s performance and that judges are inclined to favour a well-known professional.
These negativities will continue to escalate if they are not dealt with by the governing bodies. Fuel prices will inevitably rise due to the diminishing of fossil fuels. Although this is beyond the control of societies perhaps it would be advantageous for them to subsidise in other areas to support members. Equally, climate change has affected the prices of crops that are used to produce horse feeds, forage and bedding, having a damaging effect on the industry's economics.
Showing can be seen as elitist, which causes a lack of interest from spectators and discourages show organisers from holding classes in main arenas at peak times. Event organisers such as Grandstand Media show preference to the show jumping competitors because they generate higher public ticket sales. This clearly demonstrates that in the future, with a lack of support, showing may struggle to hold its niche within the equine industry.
It is however realised that there are many opportunities available that would allow the showing industry to grow. The BSHA runs a grass-roots show in the spring to act as a stepping stone between riding club level and county shows. The grass-roots show gives feedback and advice to all competitors and aims to be a friendly and welcoming introduction. This is a key area that needs to continually develop as the Showing Survey found that competitors may be put off participating due to feeling intimidated. The BSHA feel that it has encouraged new members through this initiative and this is proved by their increase in numbers. The interview with Jo Jenkins related that Championship shows are an up and coming alternative to Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS). They are cheaper and easier to qualify for, but still offer a thrilling atmosphere.
The diverse and subjective nature of the showing industry leaves it facing a number of potential problems that are reflected in the feedback from competitors. It is however enjoyed by many people and there are plenty of opportunities available to develop the discipline and advance it further within the wider equine industry.
References
British Equestrian Trade Association, BETA. (1999) National Equestrian Survey 1999: structural report. Produce Studies Research
British Equestrian Trade Association, BETA. (2005) National Equestrian Survey 2005/06: Structural Report. British Equestrian Trade Association.
British Equestrian Trade Association, BETA. (2011) National Equestrian Survey 2011: Structural Report. British Equestrian Trade Association.
British Horse Industry Confederation, BHIC. (2005) Strategy for the Horse Industry in England and Wales. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Coloured Horse and Pony Society (No date) CHAPS. [Online] Available from:
www.chapsuk.com/membernews.asp# [Date accessed 28/10/13]
Horse of the Year Show (No date) HOYS. [Online] Available from:
hoys.co.uk/ [Date accessed 21/10/13]
M Hughes and J Saxby (2008) The Show Ring. [Online] Available from: http//www.theshowring.info/Ex%20racehorses.htm [Date accessed 7/11/13]
Melanie Scott (2010) Scottish Horse. [Online] Available from:
www.scottishhorse.co.uk/features/interviews/raising-profile-of-rare-breed.9577193 [Date accessed 1/11/13]
The National Pony Society (No date) NPS [Online] Available from:
www.nationalponysociety.org.uk/ [Date accessed 28/10/13]
The Royal International Horse Show (No date) Hickstead. [Online] Available from:
www.hickstead.co.uk/ [Date accessed 24/10/13]
The Welsh Pony and Cob Society. (2000-2011) WPCS [Online] Available from:
www.wpcs.uk.com/ [Date accessed 6/11/13]
Would love to know the results!!
