What's happened to prize money at unaff comps?

LMuirEDT

LMuirEDT

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www.horsedentistry.org.uk
Can only comment on unaff comps, but I remember as a teenager if you won at a show u would get at least ur entry fee back in winnings, this doesn't seem to be the case any more. All the shows I've been to lately at various venues, u get a rosette and if ur lucky a voucher to compete there again. What happened to actual prize money (cash in ur hand)?

I remember when working on a comp yard sometimes we had to work out prize money on the percentage of people that entered but that may be something to do with aff events?

Was some sort of universal decision made that nowhere would offer cash? I'm over the moon when I win but feel slightly disappointed you don't get prize money any more.
 
I went to a local unaff dressage competition with a friend on Sunday and she did get money for coming 1st which covered her entry fee. I was surprised actually and I think she was too because, as you've said, it doesn't seem to be norm anymore.
 
Possibly it's not economically viable in most cases to give money? Once you have paid to hire the venue and forked out a fortune for first aid and insurance, there's not always much left over.

A couple of the bigger shows round here give prize money but most don't so as it has become the norm not to, there is no pressure for organisers to give prize money.
 
Forget prize money, it's rosettes that bug me!
You go to a riding club show, if there is 4 in the class they give the rosettes to 4th but you got an EC running unaff, if there's 10 in class you're lucky to get a rosette for coming 2nd!! :mad:
 
That's a very good point actually. I also remember going to shows (WHP & unaff SJ at a very local level!) and winning back at least the entry fee for any place above 3rd.

Recently we did a (small) winter unaff SJ series & won nothing for placing in the qualifying classes. Even the championship prizes weren't money.

It does seem odd but I've also noticed a lot of unaff places not offering the shows any more so maybe it's a sign of the economic times?
 
Having been on a committiee of a local unaff club and seen the accounts... once field hire, rosettes, insurance and the other items on an ever growing list is paid for there isnt an aweful lot left!! The club one year over the summer came out with £1000 profit... this was all spent on revanmping & purchasing new jumps ready for the following season once that was paid for the club broke even.
I see that the local unaff is becoming more and more unsupported and personally this is largley down to "pot hunters" putting off those that would love to support these clubs from attending and people now see that going to affiliated you are at least competiting against the right level
 
I can understand RC level and small places hiring facilities finding it harder to give prize money, but Ive been to some very big show centres out my way that do it week in week out, affiliated and unaffiliated. I even know of one group that does hire the facilities they use and the main organiser was boasting what a killing they are making at their event. They've even expanded to hold more.

Would just be nice to win ur entry fee back.
 
only thing you get prize money round here for is hunter trials.

I have managed to win in the 5 years of having Frank £20 of feed vouchers.. he doesnt really need feeding :D :D

From the point of view of riding club running stuff. I think if you know you are going to have a good weather day and lots of competitors and you are running in a field not at an EC then prize money would be feasible. Trouble is you dont know the weather is going to be good and you dont know what you are going to take. hence emphasis on nice rosettes instead :)

one local EC did used to give wine/chocs for their unaff sj... no chance of that now! another does do it at xmas but only then

I have to say its why I have decided to have more of a tendency to do the odd affiliated drsg, particularly at prelim as at least I might win my entry fee back :)
 
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