Now…the Rolex 3DE has a LOT of people come form all over to spectate, doesn’t it? How does it pull that off. And can the NHS learn from that?
Maybe have a horse expo or something combined with it?
WIHS did a really good job the past few years of pulling in an outside crowd, some of whom were NOT horsy. I think stuff like the Shetland Steeplechase went a long way towards accomplishing that.
Rolex can do it because it’s the only real event of it’s kind in North America. You don’t see those courses every horse show unlike the grand prixs.
[QUOTE=culture shock;7242963]
When the NHS is in a city or within close proximity, regular folks attend. Syracuse did an exemplary job with that show-but again, except for exhibitors and families no one went-it’s not exactly the time of year people head to Syracuse for fun (brrrrr)… Neither Syracuse or KY are near enough to major cities to draw anyone other than riders and families. [/QUOTE]
Check your facts.
As I said in an earlier post, when the horse show was in Syracuse, they had the place PACKED with spectators several times a week. They did a great job of promoting it in the area, and the spectators flocked to the show. The Grand Prix on Saturday night was literally standing room only.
Rolex x-country is interesting and exciting to people who will never throw a leg over a horse in their lives. It’s in April post winter and you can take your dogs, your friends, a picnic, wear what you want and sleep in the sun, usually although mud can be OK in some circumstances.
Every horse and rider pair is different and anything can happen as they barrel over big and interesting-looking fences. You don’t need a baby sitter although I will never understand why anyone would drag small children and dogs around the KHP.
Oh, and did I mention booze? A lot of Americans love horses but they want to see them doing something interesting. Or being famous. Free advice: Don’t get near Louisville on Derby Day. Did I mention booze?
I repeat. Hunter classes are boring. Maclay classes are also boring unless you have a personal interest in the outcome or actually understand what’s going on.
Did I mention the economy? The average American can’t afford to fly anywhere these days even if they don’t mind being manhandled and treated as sub-human by the DHS.
You want to market a hunter/jumper show these days, find a griping human interest story about a local “kid”, put it on the front page of the local paper and flood the local TV and radio stations. Or if you want a crowd in Kentucky, turn out the UK Wildcat Basketball Team for a meet and great.
BTW, Charlotte is a lovely town.
[QUOTE=Road Apples;7242945]
I was thinking…why don’t they have preliminary classes for future GP jumpers? Training classes to give experience to those up and coming but not ready for the big time yet. I’m not talking Jr. or A/O jumpers. Maybe the professionals would like to have a venue for training and it could add some excitement to the daytime schedule. Probably a ring crew nightmare since the jumps are different… Maybe this already exists…???[/QUOTE]
The national could consider adding some sort of young jumper championship (I think the young jumper finals are currently at the Hampton Classic), but other than that I don’t think using the National Horse Show as a “training” horse show would be appropriate- adding lower level classes would make it even more of just another horse show. There are already some open speed classes the pros can show their horses that aren’t quite at GP level in.
[QUOTE=culture shock;7242817]
is it just me, but other than the juniors who are there for the Maclay, I feel like I am watching some c show somewhere with very few entries. After watching perfect streaming, magnificent hunters, lovely presentations etc at Cap Ch, Harrisburg & W’ton-this is really disappointing. and everytime I see the stands they are empty. I am sad that our great national horse show has deteriorated to this…is it just too far to draw anyone?? could they move it to that lovely Cap Ch venue? [/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Jumper221;7242890]
It’s going to be hard to get people, especially the Northeast crowd, excited to go to Kentucky after an already long indoor circuit, unless they’re stopping through on the way to Florida. Otherwise it’s a long trip to show for just a few days and turn aronud and head back home. [/QUOTE]
Is KY really on the way to FL? Not trying to be snarky, just a former Jersey girl used to hopping on 95 to get to FL:) I think I’ve heard of some commercial shippers having hubs there which would then make sense, but otherwise I would think it to be out of the way. I’ve always wondered if it was just the large distance between KY and the rest of the NE indoor shows that account for some of the lower numbers (or perceived lower numbers, the pro divisions seemed lighter but there seems to be a wait list for ammies). And while I haven’t looked, are the same people showing in these divisions (aside from the pro regulars of course;)).
Grant it, I am in PA so if I were ever to be able to qualify for an indoor show (and then actually afford to go) I would never consider the NHS. Why bother when I have two year end shows near me?
[QUOTE=iEquitate;7242844]
Capital Challenge has a nice venue, but taking the NHS there would make both shows less special. Two different indoor finals with the same ring would be rather boring. [/QUOTE]
I agree it would be rather redundant to have two shows there in such a close time frame. But I wouldn’t consider Cap Challenge a final. I think anyone can go as long as you enter on time and pay the money 
ETA: I realize there are final type classes (like WCHR and Ariat Adult Medal finals) but I still don’t consider a show I could enter without any previous credentials a true indoor final.
[QUOTE=comingback;7243094]
Is KY really on the way to FL? Not trying to be snarky, just a former Jersey girl used to hopping on 95 to get to FL:) I think I’ve heard of some commercial shippers having hubs there which would then make sense, but otherwise I would think it to be out of the way. [/QUOTE]
You’re right that it’s not “on the way” to Florida per se, but it’s easier for some barns to justify making the trek from up north if they’re going to continue on to Florida from Kentucky, rather than shipping to KY, turning around and going home, and then shipping all the way to FL just a few weeks after. I think the distance is a big part of it, especially since there’s not really anything “special” or any history behind the show other than the name at this point.
Today my feed is very good while on full screen and hasn’t dropped yet. Props to the company for actually taking our input into account and delivering!
[QUOTE=Darkwave;7242933]
I wonder if they couldn’t move Derby Finals to the NHS. Of course, you’d either have to have it inside, or risk the outdoor November weather.[/QUOTE]
They had it there in the indoor a couple of years ago, and it was rather dull in there (compared to the big outdoor). Not enough room to really show off the hunters. But yeah, the outdoor in November might be TOO exciting haha
Whoever thought the MacClay kids should have somebody in the stands to cheer them? Were you at the tail end of the Finals last year? Pretty healthy, and loud, crowd cheered the winner.
On a practical note, you have to consider costs at KHP compared to a center city sports arena with stalls in the parking lot.
[QUOTE=comingback;7243094]
Is KY really on the way to FL? Not trying to be snarky, just a former Jersey girl used to hopping on 95 to get to FL:) I think I’ve heard of some commercial shippers having hubs there which would then make sense, but otherwise I would think it to be out of the way. I’ve always wondered if it was just the large distance between KY and the rest of the NE indoor shows that account for some of the lower numbers (or perceived lower numbers, the pro divisions seemed lighter but there seems to be a wait list for ammies). And while I haven’t looked, are the same people showing in these divisions (aside from the pro regulars of course;)).
Grant it, I am in PA so if I were ever to be able to qualify for an indoor show (and then actually afford to go) I would never consider the NHS. Why bother when I have two year end shows near me?
I agree it would be rather redundant to have two shows there in such a close time frame. But I wouldn’t consider Cap Challenge a final. I think anyone can go as long as you enter on time and pay the money
ETA: I realize there are final type classes (like WCHR and Ariat Adult Medal finals) but I still don’t consider a show I could enter without any previous credentials a true indoor final.[/QUOTE]
Frankly, the hunter competition is way better with many more horses at Capital Challenge than at NHS. If you get a pink ribbon at Cap challenge it actually means that your horse went very well. If you get a pink ribbon at NHS in a class of 8, you were maybe a 78 or so. If someone is trying to sell me a horse the CC ribbons mean a lot more to me than any others. Just my op.
[QUOTE=chunky munky;7243185]
Frankly, the hunter competition is way better with many more horses at Capital Challenge than at NHS. If you get a pink ribbon at Cap challenge it actually means that your horse went very well. If you get a pink ribbon at NHS in a class of 8, you were maybe a 78 or so. If someone is trying to sell me a horse the CC ribbons mean a lot more to me than any others. Just my op.[/QUOTE]
I tend to agree. It’s typically most of the hunters who will be at indoors PLUS more that are generally super nice. Definitely no easy classes!
[QUOTE=MHM;7243048]
Check your facts.
As I said in an earlier post, when the horse show was in Syracuse, they had the place PACKED with spectators several times a week. They did a great job of promoting it in the area, and the spectators flocked to the show. The Grand Prix on Saturday night was literally standing room only.[/QUOTE]
Yes, when I was at the Prix at Syracuse in 2010, there was not an empty seat. I also remember that they had great entertainment—a Friesian dressage demo, and those hot shirtless foreign guys who jump the jumps! :lol: So, yeah. I also really liked the facility, outside of the stabling situation.
[QUOTE=chunky munky;7243185]
Frankly, the hunter competition is way better with many more horses at Capital Challenge than at NHS. If you get a pink ribbon at Cap challenge it actually means that your horse went very well. If you get a pink ribbon at NHS in a class of 8, you were maybe a 78 or so. If someone is trying to sell me a horse the CC ribbons mean a lot more to me than any others. Just my op.[/QUOTE]
I don’t disagree. My point was you don’t necessarily have to qualify to show there, that’s all 
[QUOTE=comingback;7243203]
I don’t disagree. My point was you don’t necessarily have to qualify to show there, that’s all :D[/QUOTE]
It is kind of interesting to me. You don’t have to qualify, but it’s so rare that you see a horse or rider there that probably isn’t capable of qualifying for indoors at some point. It’s always high caliber horses and riders. Definitely one of those shows that is prestigious because of its good reputation, in my opinion. Well, not to mention it’s a good practice for indoors.
Presentations need some work… High AOs have a 15k class and they only bring back the top 3 to do a victory gallop of about 1/4 of the ring?
IMO at the National Horse Show the presentations should be outstanding to match the $ offered, not what you’d see in a children’s pony classic at a C show.
It’s really obvious to me that those of you who are complaining the show is underattended have neither been here, nor shown here. You are making snap judgments based on what you see on the live feed (and that’s the perfect example of why a GOOD live feed is so important!) and drawing conclusions that are exactly wrong. It is NOT “just another A show at KHP”, unless of course every A show at KHP provides full-service custom catering for ALL the riders and grooms starting at 4:00 a.m. on Maclay day; unless of course every other A show at KHP provides a luxurious exhibitors lounge with comfy chairs and the show action on big screen TV (this is why nobody bothers coming upstairs to watch from the stands - it’s more comfortable downstairs, with food ten times the quality of the $6 horse show hamburgers available upstairs); simulcasts the Breeders Cup on another big screen in a separate room; etc. etc.
I’m telling ya, the exhibitors are treated like [/I]royalty[/I] here, and when’s the last time that happened at an “A” H/J show?
It’s sad to see people making snap judgments about the show based strictly on the live feed, and it’s totally NOT fair to the show, the organizers or the sponsors.
Criticism of the live feed IMO is fair game, since it does constitute the face the show presents to the wider world, and I completely agree that it hasn’t been good. As a business person I am not in the habit of dishing out brownie points for subpar work and nobody else should be either.
But as to the rest of these comments - don’t you think there might be good reasons why NARG keeps voting it their #1 or #2 favorite show on the ENTIRE calendar?
The whole underattended thing just blows my mind. You couldn’t park within a mile of the barns last night - trust me on this: I drove around for 20 mins trying - and people will park their big duallies in ALL the handicap spots (grr), so the only disabled spots I could find were up near the (by then empty) Gathering tent, where the access ramp is too steep to be navigated in 30 mph winds and lashing rain in a low-quality rented WC. So I stayed in at the hotel last night, and, like y’all, wished for a good live feed. 
Worth noting however that the wind and t-storms last night took down a lot of power lines in the area; my hotel has excellent free wifi but the lights flashed and the router dropped from 4 bars to 2 and has only made it back to 3 so far. That was the end of the live feed for me, so I watched Downton reruns and went to bed!
Lest anyone think so - I on’t begrudge the exhibitors anything that they get. They should be treated that well at every A show, for the amount they pay, but they simply are not. When it comes to giving exhibitors everything they could possibly want, the NHS is in a class by itself.
As to the course changes - there was an extra one b/c of the 5-gaited/HJ switcherooni class. Normally they do exactly what the old NHS used to do: clear & drag the ring between the afternoon and evening sessions, and use the ASB classes as teasers for the main GP event. So normally there’s only one course change in the evening sessions, and there would be that anyway at any single-ring show.
I want to say a special thanks to the sponsors of the Kentucky Experience event. I made it out of the E.R. and came screaming up the driveway just in time to make the bus! :lol: The Rood & Riddle tour was fantastic; I could go there again any time. So thanks to Alex Riddle for organizing, USHJA, Grayson, R&R and Phelps for sponsoring. It was awesome. Hope to thank you all in person at the reception.
Not to comment on the quality of the presentation as I didn’t see it, but bringing back the top 3 in big jumper classes in not unusual and they did the same at HB. However, they did a nice job at HB giving two sets of ribbons so they could throw one to the spectators, etc. i agree presentations should be special and would expect that at the NHS.
[QUOTE=iEquitate;7243236]
Presentations need some work… High AOs have a 15k class and they only bring back the top 3 to do a victory gallop of about 1/4 of the ring?
IMO at the National Horse Show the presentations should be outstanding to match the $ offered, not what you’d see in a children’s pony classic at a C show.[/QUOTE]
I think it’s great that they have such wonderful catering and cushy chairs and large-screened tv inside out of the main stadium. but that’s sort of like if a tree falls in a forrest and no one is there…I think I prefer spectators watching and cheering in the stands for the riders. Just my take.
“It’s really obvious to me that those of you who are complaining the show is underattended have neither been here, nor shown here.”
so from my perspective as obvious as it may have been to you… I have been there, and the damn place is empty. Maybe they were all napping on the cozy couches.
and all those of for the riders and sponsors. how about the regular folk-just not attending.
What happened to the feed?
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