The Dinosaurs In Our Midst
Most of us think of evolution as a process that allows survival of species. But when it comes to the evolution of breed shows, that may not be the case. I see some strong indicators that bring dinosaurs to mind. And we all know what happened to them. The only thing left of those creatures that once ruled the earth are their fossilized remains.
Why do I say this? Well, for one thing, breed shows are suffering from a decreased-attendance trend that's been going on for a while now. Some have disappeared altogether as their food supply--willing participants--dropped below their production/staffing costs.
For another, their multi-day formats are increasingly incompatible with the demands on today's time-challenged families. In an earlier age, the typical breed show took place on Saturday/Sunday weekends. Now, though, it's common for them to run for three or four days--fine if you're self-employed, retired, or independently wealthy, but not so fine if you're a wage earner or a student who's expected to show up in class five days a week.
And then there's the matter of the necessary cash outlay. As attendance edges downward, fees keep creeping up in order to make up the difference. If you're among those still playing the breed-show game, you know what I'm talking about here--higher entry fees, higher stall fees, plus trainer fees, drug-test fees, office fees, points-keeping fees, RV fees, even parking fees for the privilege of keeping your trailer on the grounds and pet fees for bringing your dog. This isn't to mention the escalating cost of what it takes to live up to the contemporary standards of tack, attire, and other equipment.
All told, it's no surprise to me that single-day, unrated local open shows are enjoying a renaissance and a growth pattern in many areas of the country. In some locales, including mine, it's not uncommon for a breed club to sponsor an open show or series of them as a way to boost funding of its annual high-overhead breed event. Besides being cheaper for the club to produce, the one-day show is more doable for the show enthusiast who isn't prepared to take days off work, hire help to take care of the farm while gone, and write a three-figure check to a multi-day breed circuit's sponsoring organization--all for the privilege of earning those intangible rewards known as breed points.
I've been a breed-show participant (not just in one breed, but several) for nearly 50 years, so it's not like I'm just a disgruntled can't-join-'em outside observer. I've been in the thick of the breed-show realm most of my life, having shown in my first breed-show class before I was old enough to go to school. But I'm afraid I do have to wonder how much farther breed shows can stand to evolve in terms of time and financial outlay before they become Breedshowus Disappearus.
posted by Juli Thorson @ 11:05 AM
9 comments
9 Comments:
I'm just back into horses after 10 years away. I board my horses and there are a number of barn members who show at breed shows. When I hear them talk about how the showing goes, who places (and who doesn't), why they place, how they got there...I have NO desire to do that. I don't want to play games, I don't want to come back to my horses stall to find out her tail has been cut off (or worse), and I want to do this because it's fun, not because it's prestigious.
I'm not going to spend $5000 on a saddle (or horse for that matter) and I'm not going to sink $3000 into an outfit to ride around a ring in. The prices of some of these horses are incredible. And again, not something I spend that kind of $$ on.
I'll be going to the local shows and I'll be trail riding.
Amen Juli!
I've been showing at my breed shows since '85, and stopped a few years ago for just about all the reasons that you mentioned.
I do enjoy the local one-day shows that are offered in abundance in my area, much more fun and cheaper, and less time consuming.
I do like to go and watch the big breed shows, but I no longer have the dream of ever being able to show there.
I showed in AQHA shows until the late 70's and quit because I could no longer afford it and did not choose to have my horse match the newer standards. At the time I was ridiing a daughter of King. She looked like the old line quarter horses and I was not willing to change her natural way of going to meet the new standards. For the last few years I have ridden a grandson of Two-Eyed Jack, another old line horse. I refuse to have him go with his nose on the ground and looking like he is broken when he lopes. We even have local judges who use those standards. I have shown in a couple of Foundation Quarter Horse shows and like them much better. No silver, no fancy clothes, just good quality western tack and clothes. It is wonderful. There just aren't enough of them. So I just use my old guy for pleasure and trail. I know how good he is at so many things. Really good at working cows.
Hey, all--
I find your comments to be of real interest. Thanks for taking the time to post them.
To me, a horse show has a lot in common with a restaurant. Both are nonessentials in the lives of consumers. They have specific menus, environments and locations created or chosen with the goal of attracting customers, and they aren't guaranteed long life nor success--they have to earn those things, both by getting repeat business and by continually attracting new customers.
The breed-show "restaurant" concept has inched farther and farther into the territory of exclusivity and expensive acquired taste--which is fine, if you have the appetite and means for dining on caviar. But it seems to me that more and more people are demonstrating a preference for the competition-world equivalent of the neighborhood pizza parlor.
--Juli
Juli,
I agree with the high price/time committment required of breed shows. I work for a middle-class living, as do most of the friends I show with. Showing is what we do since we cannot also afford to travel, buy sports cars, etc. It is definitely expensive and time consuming.
However, after showing Arab A circuit for 10 years I have to say that the local one-day shows are BORING. I love the electricity and higher level of competition at the big, multi-day shows. The horses are better, the riders are better, and the quality of performance is much higher. Additonally, while a 3-day rated show may cost me $450, a one-day unrated show nearby recently cost me $150. It cost less, but it was no bargain. I have a lot more fun at the big shows, earn points, and qualify for regionals and nationals.
If/when I decide to quite showing A circuit I will not be showing local/schooling shows.
Anne--
I know what you're saying. Breed shows vs. local/open/schooling shows are two different breeds of cat on many levels, including the ones you just outlined.
Good counterpoint from your perspective.
Anyone else who currently does breed shows and wouldn't consider the other ballpark as an alternative?
--Juli
Juli:
We showed AQHA shows for many years. We trained and showed our own horses, had a lot of fun and put many points on our well bred horses.
I think what happened (which is what happened to us) is that too many people with a lot of money got into the horse business and the politics of the judges really went down hill.
I had a professional trainer tell me one time that all these high dollar people had raised the prices of the horses so high that the average person could not afford them. He also said that in all his years he only knew of one horse that was worth more than $3500.00!
When the people with a lot of money got involved, the horse prices went up, the clothing looks more like a circus and you have to rob a bank to pay for it. The trainers took advantage of a lot of them (by creating horses that the customers can hardly ride and charging way too much) and the judges became friends with them. It has made it hard for the average person to compete with their horses and not have a trainer. When we decided that we were spending a lot more money, were having a lot less fun, the shows were getting smaller and our good rides were not getting ribbons we quit showing.
Like others have said, I have no interest in the open shows around here. Been there, done that. We now trail ride in the winter in AZ, and I love using Clinton Anderson's methods to start horses. This to me is much more rewarding than getting up at 5:00 in the morning and going until 10:00 at night and a lot less expensive. I do miss a lot of the people that I showed with, but most of them have also quit.
It is sad to see what is happening to a hobby that we really loved.
Phyl:
You have made some important points in your post. The financial gap between the extreme "haves" and the rest of those who like to show has had a major effect on the sport--and not all to the good. As the $$$ gap widens, the pool of players gets smaller.
The effect is evident even at the AQHA World Show level, which had noticeably declined numbers this year.
I see a lot of "breed show refugees" at the AQHA trail rides I attend--and at our area open shows as well. People still want to be active with their horses but like you, have gone in other directions to make that happen.
--Juli
Juli: Have to agree with Phyl's comments on the post of high dollar horses and show outfits. Right on the money. I've seen the haves coming all along and knew the have nots would be the ones to catch it in the shorts. And guess what.....that is the way it has happened. My local breed organization is struggling to keep classes filled for more than just one or two points. If it were not for their huge summer circuit they'd not be in the greatest shape. I don't see this getting better. This particular breed is a wealthy man's game.
Our local pinto organization seems to be keeping the numbers up..still really high dollar horses but so many different classes for different body styles (saddlebreds, QH, arab, etc.), ponies, youth, open and amateur and halter horses. I think those folks might be onto something.
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