Eventers - prizes or money?!

tobiano1984

tobiano1984

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I'm on the committee for a BE event (80-1*) and the discussion came up in the last meeting as to whether to go for prize money or prizes. What's the general consensus?

I've heard that some events have shocking prizes, our one is pretty good (LeMieux saddlecloths, bandages etc) I think. Also due to trade discounts with the retailer the prizes are worth more than the prize money would be.

I think the prize money is considerably less than the entry fee in lower level stuff - is it £37 for 1st in a BE80? Would you rather have that or £50 worth of prizes, or an engraved cup/glass or something? Some people I've spoken to would just rather have the money, however little it is, just to go towards diesel etc. I personally would rather have a nice prize or a cup or similar to remember the event by, rather than sticking it straight in the service station on the way home. Different matter if the prizes were in the £100s I guess!

Opinions please, so I can relay at the next meeting :-)
 
Money! The prizes (not that I ever win them ;) ) are rarely things that I would use so inevitably just end up on ebay. The only 'extra' I do like is a voucher for the photographer, but I wouldn't want that in place of prize money...
 
For me money. Prizes are normally something I wouldn't use or wrong size so then have the hassle of trying to sell them. I still have a brown saddlecloth I won nearly 3yrs ago sitting unused. Tried selling it but no one wanted it. I don't mind prizes plus money. Like at Borde Hill I got the usual minimum money plus a crystal glass and at Rackham I got a voucher to spend in horses in sport and a voucher for a free photo.
 
Money but not derisory amounts. I think 1st should at least cover entry fee plus a voucher or momento. The BH glasses were lovely.

A nylon headcollar and a dandy brush are imo a bit of a joke and money may persuade people to stay for prize giving especially if they were to forfeit it if they don't stay around. Sponsors need a reward too for putting their time and money into an event.
 
I agree - money and possibly a voucher for photographer would be more appealing than prizes. The prizes aren't often things you'd necessarily want!
 
When I won I think I got £75 and some bandages which was wonderful - however the bandages are unused over five years later. Prizes are OK if they are what you want, but I have heard of rugs being given as prizes with no choice of size.
 
Pebble101 said:
When I won I think I got £75 and some bandages which was wonderful - however the bandages are unused over five years later. Prizes are OK if they are what you want, but I have heard of rugs being given as prizes with no choice of size.
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I won a rug at BCA this year. Fortunately it's his size but I have no use for it. He has too many coolers as it is.
 
My Borde Hill wine glass has pride of place on my dresser - I wanted to win one so much it's been my favourite prize so far! The cash prizes have also been much appreciated and Borde Hill also did carrots and polos in a paper bag which my pony thought was amazing :) Cash plus keepsake gets my vote
 
Prizes a Bricky BE a couple of years ago were local food hampers with differing amounts of food - all very yummy and really appreciated. Made a lovely change from the usual lead ropes and brushes.
 
It really depends on the prizes, generally money or a voucher would be my preference. I remember a good few years ago my son took a young mare to her first intro and won a down filled Toggi jacket which just happened to be in my size :) We, or rather I, was delighted! A couple of weeks later she was second at her next event and we won a horrible greeny grey saddle cloth and a bottle of milk replacer for foals, expiry date Dec - this was a September event so we were unlikely to need it even if we'd been breeding. Such a contrast between the two events so perhaps money is better so people know what they're competing for.
 
I was at Epworth unaffiliated ODE and they had a prize of £100 cash for the winner of each section. It was very well supported.
 
Definitely money, for reasons stated by others in that the prize might not be something i wanted.
However, I know it is harder to get money from sponsors than product, so a voucher would be a good compromise (e.g. voucher for £x from tack shop instead of another halter). This way the tack shop gets the purchase and free advertising. If someone doesn't live near the shop (and they are not online) then it is usually fairly easy to sell the voucher to another competitor (at a discount) before leaving the show grounds.

Mind you, I really like the sound of the hamper mentioned above!!:)
 
juliap said:
Prizes a Bricky BE a couple of years ago were local food hampers with differing amounts of food - all very yummy and really appreciated. Made a lovely change from the usual lead ropes and brushes.
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I won one of these for coming 7th in a BE100. It was so lovely and it nice made a change to the normal prizes you get.
However, I would always rather money if it is available. I do think it is disgraceful that it doesn't even cover you entry fee even if you win. I came 4th at one event and 2nd at another at Novice level and there was only a £2 difference and even then it didn't cover anywhere near what it cost me to get my horse there. I know the money isn't always available and that some events do run at a loss but it just seems a real shame.
I think they should introduce getting start fee's back if you jump a double clear inside the time. There are never that many that make it so its not as if you would be losing out on much. Just think it would be a nice touch especially since entries, start fee's and diesel costs are often over £150.00 just to get there (for me anyway!).
 
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I'm not an eventer but I'm shocked that prize money doesn't cover the entry even if you win! I would have expected that to be a rule
 
I find it appalling that 1st place prize money isn't at least covering entry- that's not allowed at BD or BS.

Like the above idea of start fee back for double clears!
 
When i started eventing i won some lovely prizes, bridle, travel boots, rugs, mattes numnah. But i also won things like a tub of supplement that i wouldnt use and an ariat jacket that didnt fit. I think the problem with prize money is that it no where near covers the cost of the entry even if you come 1st . I would be happy with lemieux saddle cloths etc as i found that anything in the wrong size or that i wouldnt use i put on ebay and got the money that way,.
 
I don't really like the idea of start fee back for double clears - to me the point of eventing is that it rewards those who do well in all three phases (or well enough in two to cancel out some faults in the third) - extra prizes for double clears seems to diminish the importance of the dressage a bit.
 
I won an 80 section at Stafford in July. I won a pony leather headcollar?????????? So now it's living in the horsebox and will never get used! Not sure who thought a pony size was a good prize for BE! I also won a voucher for money off an airowear bodybase which I did want. If I hadn't been after one though I wouldn't have used that either. The prizes for being placed have been better at other events....love goody bags for the horses :) Not sure that voucher / money off coupons are a great idea. When I won Rodbaston years ago I got £72 plus a lovely trophy to keep.....that was a great prize :)
 
Hmm depends how good the prizes are! I just always remember at the end of a BE event, where it had sleated in my face the whole of my XC round and I was soaked and freezing cold. The prize giving was in a tent really far from the parking, I got given a big bag of Alfa-A. Now normally I would appreciate this (although mine dont generally get it) but I had to lug this 25kg bag of feed back to the trailer which wasn't much fun! I'd always appreciate things like saddlecloths, clothing (if right size) etc.

Prize money would be good, or even just returning your start fee if you're in the top 6 or something. I used to generally be in the top 6 at BE Novice quite a lot a few years ago and I think I remember getting prize money ONCE and an actual prize maybe twice :( Its a shame when it costs so much to event.
 
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I would say prize if the prize is worth more than simply money and something that is useful for most competitors or at least desirable for selling on ebay!

If classes are sponsored then prize money and a token prize is always nice and I love the idea of a free voucher for the photographer / one of the trade stands, that supports the photographer / trade stand, who supports the event so a win win!
 
Horsemad12 said:
I would say prize if the prize is worth more than simply money and something that is useful for most competitors or at least desirable for selling on ebay!

If classes are sponsored then prize money and a token prize is always nice and I love the idea of a free voucher for the photographer / one of the trade stands, that supports the photographer / trade stand, who supports the event so a win win!
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Agree ^^^

I don't event, but do other things (would like to have a go in future when I have more time). It's nice to get some 'token' prize along with money as I like a memento that reminds me of that day, it can be something small like a saddlecloth/baseball cap/Cotton sheet/teddy with the name of event on.

Maybe seasoned campaigners that get to everything would not be so interested in a 'token' prize, as they compete more often etc but I like something that I can 'keep' and look at on a Rainey day when things aren't going so well at home!
 
It may have been inappropriate for your family but I'd have been delighted with that, my little mare won on her dressage score at Blackwater and we got a rosette. Just a rosette. And yes, the rider did attend the presentation in correct attire. :(
 
Money.

I run a pt to pt. 1st prize is £150-250, depending on the race. Rosette, huge cup, bottle of champagne to the owner, photo frame (and voucher for photo of prizegiving from onsite photographer). Jockey also gets glass tumbler. Entry fee is £30

Race nos vary from 2-12 runners on average.

Anyone want to take up racing instead of eventing?!
 
It's interesting seeing what Wellington had as prizes over the weekend - a saddle, a landscape garden consultation, a camera of sorts...
 
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