the death of local showing? Is it like this everywhere?

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angel7

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I spectated at 4 locally held shows this year, ones that we used to go to years ago with the horses. I was really shocked and disappointed in the numbers of people participating.
When we went 20 years ago you could expect at least 10-20 in each class, M and M's split by size and type, fancy dress, pony club games, all were superbusy with ponymad kids and horses and pony types of all sizes, despite the showing classes being rather restrictive. People just entered 3 or 4 classes to make it worthwhile.

These shows have moved with the times- there were over 50 classes at each show (including qualifiers for bigger shows) and literally a class for any horse or pony, colour, type, height, sex, breed or age. So where is everyone?? Most classes had no entries or just one or 2. M and M were desperate, a couple of highlands and section A's.
I didn't think the cost was excessive either- £5 per entry or £8 on the day.
I thought the shows were well run, lots of rings, horses separated from spectators, portaloos and a snack van, tannoy and entries available on the day.

The standard was pretty desperate too- pink saddlecloths and blingy browbands, riders barely able to get horses to trot up etc. And really that's OK- local shows are just for that, for people to learn the ropes and get youngsters out and learn what it all about. But there seemed a real lack of knowledge base- ill fitting tack, overbitting, overweight riders and youngsters being brought out by novices being the most obvious to me.
Listening to those blethering around me was interesting.
Many didn't seem to know what they were meant to do in the different classes, so they only entered the inhand turnout or the one class they did know about. All that work for 1 class!

In the sports horse class no one had done it before (none of the animals forward were sports horses), so the judge made it into a learning session- explaining how to show on the triangle, what was a sports horse etc, so the 4 entrants at least learned abit from it. Do we need to do more of this?
I did mention to one of the organisers that perhaps they were not advertising the shows enough- putting it on their own facebook page is not enough in my opinion, I suggested posting out schedules to all the big livery yards and tack shops (like we used to in the old days?) But this was poo pooed as too much expense and work.

I wonder if transport is contributing to the problem?
Walking around the horseboxes parking revealed lots of expensive big SUV and 4X4's pulling ifor Williams trailers with one horse. NO HGV or even big lorries, a few 3.5t present. Years ago our livery yard would fill the HGV lorry with liveries horses and we would go in convoy with every trailer full.Folk would borrow work vans and trailers from friends. 12 horses easily would go from our small yard with everyone helping each other out and borrowing clothes, hats and tack so we had the right stuff on in each class.

Is it like this everywhere now or just in Scotland??
It made me sad as I loved the atmosphere of our local shows and always had fun, but no one seemed to be really having a good time at these shows.
 
I went to a local show a couple of weeks ago and it was heaving. Up to 20 in classes with an average of about 12 plus a really high standard of turnout. It's the only one I've been to though so not sure about else where.
 
I went to a local riding club show recently in Kent and was horrified at the low numbers. Well run show, super venue, lots of classes. It was a bit shocking that people couldn't support their own local riding club. I had a good day there, pony had fun, borrowed child had a ball.
 
I've found it varies - there are one or two riding club run open showing shows in my area that still are capable of running 50+ classes and have a good turnout for all. However they are very long established and have a reputation of being "up to standard", and run to a similar level and standard as a county show.
I went to a smaller open show last weekend, I was only there to showjump but watched a few showing classes and they had a very poor turnout- as well as lots of people incorrectly prepared for classes (only one person clear in the working hunter over a very basic 5 fence course, people riding in a t-shirt with a tie etc.). I think it's a difficult balance to strike in these situations- the judge needs to be encouraging, but at the same time realistic.
I think many people are feeling the pinch money wise, and maybe these fun shows are the first to suffer?
Disappointing as it's always lovely to see a well supported local show- I agree many would benefit from increased advertising. The most popular in our area run classes that qualify for local champs (like the sunshine tour) and so seem to get a bigger audience!
 
I don't know if any surveys have been done but I am sure there are less horses about than there were 5 years ago. I hardly ever see kids hacking anymore and it's less than 10 years since my daughter first started hacking and there were lots then, 2 large yards have closed near me, one due to retirement and the other for development. We have just done our first BE's, both venues were packed so perhaps it's just local level which is struggling.
 
I went to a riding club show today, not competing just nagging a young horse around the lorry park and collecting rings to prepare it for county shows. Had I realised that the judge today was not riding I would have placed an entry and supported the show, it would have been an ideal first hunter class for our horse as all they were doing after the initial go round was a short individual show and a trot up.

Th club had put on a 2 day show, yesterday was dressage for teams and individuals and was very well supported, today was all the showing classes and show jumping. It was really well supported both days (Worcestershire) and the volunteers that run it worked incredibly hard all weekend. The classes were all a bit general - riding club horse had everything in it from 13h show pony to a 17h hairy cart horse but they all had great fun and I really hope these shows keep going.
 
Some areas are more popular than others, it also depends on what other shows are on on the same day. A lot of people will go to whatever is closet to home.

The show I went to on Saturday they were begging for people to enter the M&M in-hand classses. There were plenty of Welsh and Shetlands about but they had their own classes. I had my lad in the shetlands and in the coloureds but we didn't do the coloured due to said Wee Coloured Job being a total pita! There was only 1 show pony in an entire 6 class section but that's a sign of the times. Show ponies are out, natives are in. Though saying that there weren't many small breeds in any of the ridden classses. The larges were well enough filled though.
 
Our local show is still well supported, at a decent venue, and with ok prize money. It does fall victim to the local pothunters, who use it as a little warm up for the RDS :-/ And it is well supported financially by the attendance at the "Horseshow BBQ" which is helpfully held about 200 yards from my house a couple of weeks beforehand, and is generally a good night out :)

However I no longer show at it because it really is a "who you know" show rather than a "what you are showing show".
 
Our local riding club show is always well supported, they only have three rings and its run so you can have a day out, with a break for lunch and classes start not before.
The standard around here is high, but its got even more serious since my kids did it, people spend lots of money on nice clothes and tack but seem to spend little on lessons.
I think if you have a nice horse now there are so many other things you can do with it, why waste £12 to find out that someone just doesn't like your horse/pony with no explanation. Dressage you can compete against your personal best and at least get some feedback, SJ you know if you have a poll down.
To the unknowledgeable in showing they have bought the right pony(will go to HOYS), the right tack, feed calmer, so why haven't they won?
I went to Little Downham HT today, their third day, and they have the riding clubs in next weekend. Its more expensive, the lorry park was full of nice kit, the riding, well I wish I rode that well and had the guts. I think the serious just got more serious.
 
thing that shocked me to the core was not one plaited worker entered in newark and notts county show we could have missed our class as it followed on luckily we wanted a look round so made it to the ring 3 hours before we expected to be in. Locally it is sometimes the judging that is off putting, not knowing breeds in the M&M, not marking according to age in veterans, not knowing the rules a lot of the time. Still go a lot to local shows most are well run even if the judging is a bit odd as this is showing after all but not knowing connemara comes in more than grey and thinking a highland pony is a welsh b leaves a lot to be desired. Love the mini jumping love to see the kids about and jumping learning to ride and compete but you sometimes cant take any of it very seriously it is fun and frustrating
 
Standards have definetly dropped in terms of turnout and way of going . Didn't go to local show last week as I've thought it's gone a bit downhill in the last few years but had a wee look at the professional photos online. Turnout and general way of going left a lot to be desired . As did the type for each class ... hairy coloured in a hunter class?? Fine Arab type coloured in hunter class?
 
I have spectated at a number of local shows this year and attended one this weekend and agree there seems to be a bit of confusion regarding horse types in what sort of class. But what came as a surprise to me was the number of people in the secretary's tent asking how many entries were there in a particular class and if it was a low number (and I assume they would be guaranteed a placing) they entered. Oh and I remember years ago that whilst in a line up and waiting turns to meet the judge we didn't chat...now everyone is talking up and down the line and ignoring the stewards stern looks!
 
It's definitely declined around here. For a start there are hardly any local showing shows and those that are run are heavily affected by the what the weather is. Entries seem to be mainly on the day and entry levels are fair low. There are one or two that are still well attended further inland as are the bigger more serious shows.

When I was a child there were loads of shows and several hackable to. If they weren't hackable to the yard organised a big lorry or two for 6 -8 ponies and we'd all pay a bit. Now unless you can afford your own transport then you can't get to anything. I'd like to take my veteran out for fun but I'd have to pay about £100 if I could even find anything available which is a lot of money for fun. Two local riding schools have closed in the last few years the kids from those plus liveries used to all hack to our local RC show. The RC has lost most if it's club field and it's hunter trial course to development and pheasant rearing. Hacking is also far to dangerous as the roads that you'd have to negotiate are awful.

The other thing with showing is the hanging about. The last big one I went to despite saying class not before started early and we had to rush unprepared into the ring and the second class moved rings and was delayed by about 2 hours. This left veterans hanging around in 80 degrees of heat. Dressage you know your time you do it and then that's it.

Finally whilst I think standards have dropped its perceived not incorrectly sometimes as snobby and judging is not always up to scratch.
 
Our local RC shows are always very well supported, especially the Fun Show they have at the end of the Summer which is really for kids and novices just to turn up and have a go.

One thing I have noticed is that our local RC's seem not to run many clinics any more. It used to be that in the run up to the showing season I'd see a few showing clinics advertised. Nowadays the only clinics they run are with dressage instructors and they are pretty pricey.

Perhaps if their were more showing clinics it would really encourage the next generation to find out what's involved in a non-pressure environment.
 
Sussexbythesea said:
The other thing with showing is the hanging about. The last big one I went to despite saying class not before started early and we had to rush unprepared into the ring and the second class moved rings and was delayed by about 2 hours. This left veterans hanging around in 80 degrees of heat. Dressage you know your time you do it and then that's it.

Finally whilst I think standards have dropped its perceived not incorrectly sometimes as snobby and judging is not always up to scratch.
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I agree with what you have written. I have tried hard to support my local shows but the class timings are chaotic and the continuity of judging is shocking. The last local show I went to, I was held up for 30 mins while we waited for other entries to join us, who were in other classes at the time. It created a knock on effect for the remaining classes I had carefully chosen to do, to make sure I gave myself plenty of time and didn't clash. It was a complete debacle and very unprofessional.
 
As to turn out at local level it has vastly improved from my early years local shows were where you went to learn often in wellies and trousers and a black pullover school shirt and tie. Smart but far from correct. Maybe it is just snobbery that you get looked down their nose at if not perfect which puts people off after all we are not born knowing the rules and turnout tips those doing it for years have learned
 
Interesting thread. I attend a local club show regularly as a "helper"; entry levels seem to be dictated by the weather and if there are other events on in the area at that time. They also run a dressage competition along side the showing which seems to help attract entries. Many people turn out their horses for dressage, ride a test then do a ridden cob/M&M/coloured class as well. They also change their shows over the year. Showing shows sometimes, show jumping/combined training events etc at other times. Winter events are held at a local venue with a good indoor facility to keep people coming back over the winter months

I have to admit that don't take my horse any more (a very nice, pedigree highland who would do well in ridden or in hand M&Ms, as well as doing a decent dressage test) as I find the judging in show classes too random and hate the hanging about trying to work out when you're going to be in the ring. Also, the club has recently reviewed its schedule and trimmed down the number of classes to avoid confusion as it was finding that people couldn't work out which class to enter, as well as changing the emphasis or title of some classes to encourage entries, make them more appealing and more of a challenge.

I agree that transport issues, finances and other factors come into play as well, but I think the organisers need to move with the times and ensure that they're offering the type of classes which interest possible entrants.

Publicity is another factor. The club has a good web site with all the events listed, as well as a well supported FB presence and they advertise in local tack shops and feed stores, leaflet/poster local yards and generally get their events known about.

It's a tough one, because in reality, local shows are where most of us start our competitive careers or get young horses used to the atmosphere of events etc, so they do provide a very useful service to horse owners. At the end f the day, we all need to support our local clubs if we're not to lose them. It would be a sad day indeed if they disappeared completely off the horsey scene.
 
I took the Diva to a local show last summer in my attempt to desensitise her to new places. Just planned to do inhand so entered her in the Inhand Coloured class which was a CHAPS qualifier. Four of us in the class, the Diva refused to trot so I rightly propped up the end of the line. There was a black cob in the class. The judge went up to the handler, who was a man, and explained he was in a coloured class without a coloured horse.
But she placed him 2nd, and told him "I've given you 2nd because if he were a coloured, that's where I would have put him"
I nearly fell over. Not for my sake, I rightly deserved to prop the line up, but there was a little girl with a lovely coloured pony who came 3rd and I could not understand how on earth the judge could place her pony beneath something that was blatantly in the wrong class.

To me that was like placing a gelding in prettiest mare, because 'if it had been a mare it would have got this placing'.
 
Absolutely agree OP. The standard of local showing is very hit and miss. We can go to one local show and the competition is pretty tough but then the next 5 are terrible. I'd love to get hold of them and remove the pink numnah. As for the entries. There are loads of FB pages purely for show organisers to post on. I personally prefer an electronic schedule as they are easier to store and you dont lose them! Organisers prefer an electronic schedule as they are free to produce and distribute. However, some show organisers are their own worst enemy! I recently chased and chased someone for a schedule and eventually rang them and they directed me towards another society's web page as it was posted on there because it had qualifying classes. It wasn't anywhere else and the mum said she didn't do FB. OK I understand a lot of people dont like FB but if you run a business or in this case a show you really need to get over that issue!
 
Interesting responses folks.
Perhaps in trying to appeal to any type of horse shows are actually doing themselves a disservice.
Years ago my coloured reg part bred highland X arab could only do riding club horse, handy horse and turnout, so we did all these as they were spread over the day.
Now at any of these shows we could have done-inhand or/and ridden turnout, inhand or/and ridden coloured, inhand and/or ridden part bred M and M, inhand or/and ridden partbred arab, riding club horse and even the fancy dress. All these would be clashing classes and far too much for one day. SO I might pick the one with the least entries to give myself a chance of a win.

On the other hand locals with exotic foreign breeds had nothing they could really enter- friesians, comtois, percherons etc. Now we have classes for any foreign breed and no one turns up!

More cheap training clinics would definitely help too I think.
 
Our local show is very hit and miss, but totally agree with you on the standard, I know you sometimes have to work with what you have but IMO no saddlecloth is better than a pink one in a showing class!

It's so easy to find out the basics these days that I don't personally think it's excusable
 
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