Finally - What do we want ???

[fibb2010]

Hi Guys

I thought this may be an appropriate place for me to post this.

I am a newly founded Event Management Company - specialising in equine events such as shows , displays , dinners ect.

After years of showing myself and seeing all the unhappy competitors on here , i would like to know what people expect at a show. What really annoys you , what would make a show that much better.

A few points to condiser:

Classes - What are we missing ?
Venue - Favourite Venues ?
Pricing - What do you consider resonable ?
Prize Money - Is this attractive
Stabling ?
Evening Performances ?
Online Booking in ?
Camping at the event ?
Home Produced / Proffesionals ?
Judges ?
Qualifiers through wildcards - If done via local level riding clubs

.... and any other points and opinions that people may have that would make a show that much better.

Please be constructive but not aggressive

Your time is much appreciated

[halfpass]

I have moved this here as I think it will get more coverage.
I personally think that prize money unless it is a serious amount is not really worth having, I would much rather have nicer rosettes.
A lot of people will never have the chance to ride under a spot light at HOYS, so a good evening performance is great, Royal London seem to have that sorted pretty well.
Good stabling especially for thous of us with stallions is a must,
Judges, it won't matter who you get most people will hate them.
A good atmosphere is a must, the organizers can contribute the most to this aim.
If a problem arises make sure it is sorted out straight away, if allowed to fester it will end up here.

[Giddie]

Fibb 2010, One big bug bear of mine is when attending the show they park you miles away from the ring you are suppose to appear in.. Whilst l will always give myself plenty of time, this becomes near impossible to show two ponies if the classes follow one another, and if l am at the show alone . On three ocassions now l have lost entry fees up to £15.00 per time.

As for what we are missing l would like to see more (TRUE) Novice mare classes at shows.

I think the issues around for example 4yr old stallions being shown against senior stallions is a farce..as the senior stallion will generally win the class on maturity..There then seems no where for this age stallion to go.

On line booking for shows would be a great idea..

Prize money is not an attraction to me personally..but as said nice rosettes are a better option

[pencaedu]

.....Judges, it won't matter who you get most people will hate them.
....If a problem arises make sure it is sorted out straight away, if allowed to fester it will end up here. [/quote]

Halfpass - Oh how cynical is that...

The one you missed out is trophies. Our show has a couple of perpetual trophies, but we make sure that ALL champions have nice 'give away' trophies (NOT PLASTIC) & fabulous rosettes, which we are now making ourselves.

[cayo]

sadley most rosettes end up in a box so i would opt for some prize money it helps with the ever rising costs and a small rosette is cheaper too so should keep entry fees down

[cayo]

sadley most rosettes end up in a box so i would opt for some prize money it helps with the ever rising costs and a small rosette is cheaper too so should keep entry fees down
my fav localish venues are aintree bold heath myerscough south view landlords croft topas for prices i think upto £6 for a normal show and upto £10 for a champs show is plenty to be paying maybe the offer of a free class for every 3 you enter i think many shows are charging far too much and then people either stay away or only enter one or two classes either way entries are then low i am sure slighty lower entry fees will means more entries

[madmum]

Timings of classes are a big pain in the ****. Why can't times be given for specific classes rather than start time for rings then competitors won't miss classes. These should be generous to allow for large entries and if the entry is small the judge gets a break...imagine a show when you knew what time you were in the ring!!!

[pencaedu]

I you gave a time for every class, you would either have to have all pre-entries, so that organisers can work out the times, or you would have to limit the number for classes if they were entered on the day.
The one thing I learned this year is to put 'not before' times on the schedules

[haggismarmite]

Not before times were great at a couple of shows this year, it's so hard to guess if there will be 2 or 30 entries in a class - Royal London was a great example of that.

[GoldDust]

I don't compete at big shows or anything, but one think that really bugs me is in the Veteran classes. I know some shows DO split by age categories, but it seems the majority don't.

I was in a Veteran class on my share horse who's 25. We just missed the placings but that doesn't bother me (I don't think she was really the judges type, etc) but what really annoyed me was that the class was HUGE.

It wasn't split In Hand/Ridden, and there were horses in there ranging from 15-28. I felt sorry for the judge trying to pick a winner and then further placings, but the amount of children who left the ring looking dissapointed was the worst part. I know they have to learn to be a 'good loser' etc, but I'm sure if the class was better organised they would have come away with at least something, as would plenty more people!

[iluvmyponies]

Sashes-Some people never get the chance to win a sash, so a nice little sash will make someones day. (Especially little kids!) NW Champs is fantastic, everyone who is unplaced receives a red sash, top 10 receive a medal & a huge rossette!

Evening performances are a MUST at good show! ;D Everyone loves a good EP.

Home Produced-Gives those who have HP ponies a chance.

WH-We will give any show a try that has Workers.

Championships-Will put a smile on many peoples faces if they get into a Championship/Supreme.

Qualifiers.

Venues-My favourites include Bold Heath, Myerscough, Aintree Croft Top, PUK Venue (Sorry, don'tknow what its called) & anywhere with good parking, good working in & decent rings! ;D

[fibb2010]

Thanks to all who have commented , iluvmyponies you will be pleased to know that most of the comments you have given are already sorted inc the venue !!!

Cant give to many details until the launch date in Feb but lets just say , the north west has a BIG championship show aldready booked on the calender

Watch this space !!!!