I received a message today that one of the nicer open shows I attended this year was not coming back - why - because the person who put the show on received so much negativity they felt it wasn't worth the effort to do it again. And this is not the only show I have heard of falling by the wayside. The small open show is close to becoming extinct and every day I see at least one post looking for an open show to go to! I serve on 2 different association boards and I can tell you it is exhausting to put on a show when there are only a few people willing to help. From the office to jump crews to tallying points and handing out ribbons - it takes manpower to run these shows. To give those who have not been involved with the actual running of a show - here's a behind-the-scenes look at some of what is involved.
Your local club puts on a 4 show series each year - with the first show starting in May. The board is meeting in September of the year before to pick the dates and secure them with the show grounds - and those dates may have to be adjusted depending on where the show is held because of any other events that might have booked the grounds. Now the board has to decide what classes there will be, contact and secure the judges and email those contracts, drum up sponsors to help offset expenses, and order awards. All this is BEFORE the show season has even started! Now we have to start posting everywhere to ensure people know there is a show. If there is early entry - we need to start taking those entries and putting them in each class - if there is no early entry ( there are still shows like that - I know - WHY??) we will be putting them in classes on the day of the show - which takes time. Ever wonder why shows don't start on time? Entries being put in on the day of the show - pro tip - if you can fill out your entry forms BEFORE the show - DO IT! Not only will it help speed up the office it will help you get back to getting ready and not be late for your first class.
On the day of the show, those of us who are going to be there arrive at least an hour up to 2 hours before the start of the show - some of us were there the night before to drag the arena and set up the office - we open the office and start taking entries, entry fees and handing out numbers, post the patterns if our judge sent them prior to the show, gathering any cones needed for patterns and putting them where they are accessible, setting up any tents or any other equipment for what volunteers we hope we have.
Speaking of volunteers - they are always needed for things like opening and closing the gates, handing out ribbons, jump/barrel set up, the office, ring steward, and scribing - help is ALWAYS needed and there is never enough help on any show day.
So, if you haven't helped at a show or served on the board and you are the one complaining how things are run - if you think you can do better, those of us who have been busting our hind ends will gladly hand the reins over to you - but if you don't want to step up and help then I am going to politely tell you to take a seat and quit complaining and let those of us who keep giving our heart and soul to the sport we love the effort of giving you someplace to keep showing.
Appy Riding Ya'll
Tracy