Showing Posts - a bit of a rant

[SirenaXVI]

Suddenly we seem to have a lot of posts moaning about local showing, and, whilst some of the moans I can relate to, in the majority it has peed me off a little.

I used to show a lot, first locally and then nationally, these posts have reminded me why I now only take my youngsters out (for experience).

I think people running the local shows do a sterling job, what everybody seems to forget is that they are not paid a wage, they do this for free so that you can have a nice day out, how many of you thank the show secretary at the end of the day? How many of you have been rude to the steward if a class has unavoidably overrun? How many of you have moaned about the judge, if you or your little angel have not been placed??? How many of you have offered to help out?

That's my first rant - the next rant:

The thing everybody forgets is that showing is ONE person's opinion and any ONE day, and unless you are chasing qualifiers (which you would not do at a local show), in the scheme of things IT DOES NOT MATTER, yes it is upsetting for little Abigail/Hannah/Charlotte if their pony does not win, and yes, sometimes it seems unfair but whatever happened to doing things purely for the fun of it which is what local showing is supposed to be about.

Which brings me on to Pot Hunters - if it's a young horse out for the first time, fair enough, ditto young child - BUT ask the judge if you can go HC, this will avoid any bad feeling from those competitors who ARE there for the fun. Having said that, there will still be SOME who moan, but if you have gone HC, it can be really funny to watch them deflate because you have taken their argument away. Obviously, you don't get your nice red rossie, but then you don't really need a 'local' one do you? You can magnanimously donate it to the person down the line from you, so you lood good too

 

[Law]

I agree with a lot of what you say but I would like to tell things from my experience... (if you don't mind

)
I go showing in the full knowledge that some days the judge will like us and some days they won't

I was in a 'ladies mount' class at a local 'fun show' (it really is a fun show as it's the first in the season and I am on the committee that organises it)... anyway my point was going to be that in the class there were horses in snaffles, doubles and pelhams, there was a show pony, a light native, a TB and everything in between. We were called in 5th and the other 4 in front did their shows with each of them either napping, shying, bucking, wrong strike off, etc we went and did a foot perfect show with not one step out of place but the line up stayed the same. I totally accept that the winner was most certainly a 'Ladies mount' type and a good example once his problems are ironed out

I took it on the chin as I was chufffed to bits with how he went and in my mind he could not have gone better

To me that is the nature of showing- one man's treasure is another man's trash as they say!
Also I do try and thank the show secretary (probably from being on a committee that organises shows and knowing how much of a thankless task it is!)
Lastly, I wanted to add that I think showing etiquette is something that seems to be lost these days. I like to acknowledge the judge on entering with a cheerful 'hello' or 'good morning' and then I like to thank them for judging us

Being polite can go a long way as you never know when you might be seeing them again!

 

[mickey]

I must say as as a child I never considered if the organiser/judge was paid - or that they were giving up their own time for the good of competitors. Even as adults, we can forget that long after we go home some poor people will be heaving show jumps around and collecting rubbish. Not to mention the months of preparation beforehand. I agree, we should put things into context and be more grateful.

 

[hairycob]

I've resigned from organising shows this year, mainly because I have too much else going on, but I am still helping at acouple of events. But partly it's also because I got fed up of people who never help at anything moaning that this class should have put on or that could have been organised better. My response is always to say "Oh good, I can put you down for the committee/helping next time".
The biggest pain in organising shows is not the insurance etc it's getting enough people to help so can I make a plea for everybody who wants local events to continue to help out at one each year. If everybody did one show there would probably be twice as many put on instead of less each year. I can think of a couple of shows that are completely organised by 2/3 people & if 1 of them gave up those shows would stop.

 

[virtual]

I agree with a lot that's been said.

Whatever your placing, and however well/badly the show is run, enjoy being out and about with your equine friend, and if you don't like a show, don't go again next year.

 

[SirenaXVI]

[ QUOTE ]
if you don't like a show, don't go again next year.

[/ QUOTE ]



Exactly!

 

[bex1984]

I think people sometimes feel the need to find something to moan about whatever happens. I've only ever been to a few local shows so it's all quite new to me...and I love it

I don't really think it matters where you get placed, it's just fun to be on a day out looking all smart.

 

[Orangehorse]

More than one local show has stopped as they couldn't get enough helpers.

Showing can be frustrating, but then it is the judge's opinion on that day. Another judge, on another day, can have a different opinion.

 

[lilym]

well said!! i help out at a local show, and it is often a thankless task! finding judges is a nightmare, as is finding good stewards, people don't appreciate the work that goes in.
on the subject of pothunters...they don't always win you know!!