By the flipside token, it really is not that expensive to upgrade your ribbons from the 12" ribbon to the 36" ribbon once you’ve already chosen a style. I think for some of us it would matter a lot and we’d gladly pay $1 more on our entry to get a big-ass ribbon instead of a little teeny one.
really, the difference between the biggest and smallest ribbon I just looked at was less than 50 cents to double the streamer size.
Ugh! I hate threads like this. You could not pay me enough to be an organizer and this type of stuff just adds insult to injury.
OP: if you don’t like it, either volunteer your time to make it better or vote with your checkbook and don’t attend. Arguing over “cheap” ribbons is ridiculous.
[QUOTE=LadyB;8221218]
Here is your rebuttal.
http://eventingconnect.today/2015/07/09/the-cost-of-ribbons/[/QUOTE]
This is just silly. First world problems! I love a nice ribbon as much as anyone but it really has little to do with where I choose to compete. Show organizers do not owe me a super fancy ribbon, inconsequential swag in my packet or awesome prizes. I definitely appreciate those things if they happen to have them, but really… in the grand scheme of things… who cares?
It’s not up to the show organizer to make you feel like owning, maintaining and competing a horse (by all accounts a privilege and a luxury in itself) is worth all the money/time you are spending by giving out expensive awards and swag. Is the ribbon really THAT important to you?
The bond I have with my horses and how great I feel after they’ve done well is whats really important. And I say this as someone who hoards all her ribbons and displays them in various ways around my house, barn, trailer tack room, etc. Never got to show as a kid, so yeah… I love ribbons!
Much of this angst is the reason why I pretty much don’t compete anymore and foxhunt instead.
Our hunt club hosts a really fun Hunter Pace and we also just introduced Cross Country Trials which is a combo of XC and Showjumping, held at a gorgeous farm where they also run a big sanctioned event - $30/round. Starter-Novice.
I think all anyone is trying to say is that for those of us little people who don’t do this every day, if the work we’re doing with our horse and his good performance happens to be good enough for a ribbon, it gives us the warm fuzzies to get a really cool ribbon to hang on our wall. That’s all, it’s not about “just being in it for the ribbons” it’s just maybe the one or two chances we have every year to win something nice and it sucks to see people not care about small details when you have spent years caring about small details to even get there in the first place.
I vote by proximity and course type and don’t often place high enough for a ribbon so it’s really fine with me either way. I won’t haul an extra two hours and get stabling just to get a 40" long ribbon.
[QUOTE=SevenDogs;8221510]
Ugh! I hate threads like this. You could not pay me enough to be an organizer and this type of stuff just adds insult to injury.
OP: if you don’t like it, either volunteer your time to make it better or vote with your checkbook and don’t attend. Arguing over “cheap” ribbons is ridiculous.[/QUOTE]
This is so unfair to those who want nicer ribbons/prizes. We are also the clientele, let’s not forget. I hate the attitude that we should just be happy someone is hosting the event - we are happy, that’s why we are paying over $200 just to enter the event! The cost between a generic simple ribbon and a nice fancy one is less than $200 for the entire event. This is something easily covered by a sponsor. Does it take time and effort to get sponsors? Yes, does it take time and effort to do everything when hosting an event? YES! Why is ok to slack in the one area that rewards the clients?
I always think of the competitors when I run my Mini events. Big ribbons, good prizes, along with safe jumps, and good judges. If it means less in my pocket - oh well. The outlook pays for itself, I have mostly return competitors and lots of new faces every show. Everyone tells me how much they love the ribbons and prizes. If you think it doesn’t matter or isn’t important to competitors, I am telling you to a lot of them, it is. It is a small and affordable way to improve your event. You can have nice big ribbons AND a nice well run safe event. You don’t get to not care about the competitors simply because they should be so lucky a show is even being held.
Some people here are blessed with ample resources. More likely than not, there will always be another show for some of you. There will be another weekend if this one is a flop. The stack of ribbons that come home get put in a box or maybe don’t get picked up. You don’t see it as valuable because the idea of never having another opportunity seems so improbable that it isn’t worth considering.
For others, this show may be the single show of the year. Or maybe it is the event because it is the first time they broke a 30 in dressage, ran double clean, overcame a huge fear, placed with a brand new partner, successfully competed after rehabbing from a potentially career ending injury, etc. This show could be a moment that they look back on with such fondness for years to come.
Shows go to huge lengths to provide an amazing experience. Taking that last little step to help a commemorate their victory seems like something they would want to do. They made the event possible, so why not help the competitor celebrate?
[QUOTE=SevenDogs;8221510]
Ugh! I hate threads like this. You could not pay me enough to be an organizer and this type of stuff just adds insult to injury.
OP: if you don’t like it, either volunteer your time to make it better or vote with your checkbook and don’t attend. Arguing over “cheap” ribbons is ridiculous.[/QUOTE]
Personally, I often feel like we should just be happy that farms are willing to go to the trouble of hosting events given the time and land involved. That being said, I don’t think its so terrible or ridiculous for competitors to identify something that can make their participation more enjoyable - especially when its a pretty easy thing to fix. If competitors want nicer ribbons for their efforts, then I don’t think its such a horrible thing to point out and encourage event hosts to fix.
And if the extra few hundred for better ribbons is a budgetary concern for the event, I’m sure many of the competitors wouldn’t mind paying an extra $1-2 per entry fee to guarantee a nice ribbon when things go well.
[QUOTE=GraceLikeRain;8221669]
Some people here are blessed with ample resources. More likely than not, there will always be another show for some of you. There will be another weekend if this one is a flop. The stack of ribbons that come home get put in a box or maybe don’t get picked up. You don’t see it as valuable because the idea of never having another opportunity seems so improbable that it isn’t worth considering. [/QUOTE]
As part of the “meh, ribbons” crowd I feel like I have to step up and say I have a very limited budget, and an older horse who I have struggled to afford to compete since I bought him when I was 13. We’ve done maybe 10-15 shows over the entire 12 years I’ve had him, none recognized, just local schooling stuff. I’m hardly of the “ample resource” crowd.
I just happen to care more about the experience than the ribbon, personally, and don’t feel like a memento is needed apart from photos that I force a teenager to take. (And yes, I DO save the ribbons that I manage to get home in one piece, and the dressage tests.) That’s just me personally. No need to make me seem like some cold-hearted monster running over plebians on my fancy horses while laughing maniacly and throwing my dozens of ribbons into the mud. 
Fancy ribbons are ALWAYS nice. Just for me (again, personally) a ribbon will not make/break my experience of an event. I don’t begrude organizers their $200 entry fees.
It seems to me that the people saying “but you don’t realize how much it COSTS to run an event! You should just be grateful you have events to go to!” are misunderstanding the point the author was trying to make.
The fact is, many of these ‘ridiculous little details’ such as non-recycled ribbons are things were once commonplace but no longer are. Maybe event organizers don’t realize that at least some of the competitors care about and appreciate the time/money/effort that used to be put into these things. It isn’t that we think event organizers are doing a bad job, or are money hungry, or we aren’t enjoying the opportunity to go to events with our horses. If I win a generic ribbon left over from three years ago, I’ll be absolutely thrilled … But it would be kind of cool if that ribbon actually said ‘Training Rider Division 2015’ or whatever so that people didn’t just think I won it for being #1 stall mucker or such!
I agree, volunteering is probably a good way to help restore some of these little things that used to make each event special … Maybe someone could volunteer to do some additional reach out to local feed stores, tack stores, and other businesses about sponsoring prizes or participant giveaways. But just because someone says that they miss the personalized ribbons and goodies that events used to provide doesn’t mean that they don’t appreciate that running events requires a lot of money and hard work.
[QUOTE=GoForAGallop;8221702]
Fancy ribbons are ALWAYS nice. Just for me (again, personally) a ribbon will not make/break my experience of an event.[/QUOTE]
Agreed … And I don’t think anyone here would say, “well, the courses at that event were lovely, the footing was great, the management was organized and helpful, but I’m not going back because I got a generic ribbon.”
[QUOTE=Sticky Situation;8221703]
It seems to me that the people saying “but you don’t realize how much it COSTS to run an event! You should just be grateful you have events to go to!” are misunderstanding the point the author was trying to make…[/QUOTE]
I think those posts come more as a response to the OP, who thinks organizers walk away with “a huge chunk of cash” and other posts that suggested that organizers “open their books” to the public, etc.
If you truly have something that you think can improve an event with very little money, I have never seen an organizer that is not willing to listen to feedback
That is NOT the same thing as coming onto a message board and whining about "cheap ribbons, etc. In my opinion that just makes you seem immature and whiney
In Ontario we are encouraged to fill out a form about how we felt about each event. Which I truly like, the good and the bad. I do my best to fill out after each event.
There are some really good points in this thread which people have been able to word exactly how I felt. I wish I was better with my words that’s for sure.
Its not that we aren’t thankful, we most definitely are, or we wouldn’t spend $200+ for an event. I don’t know why this can’t just be discussed without people calling us ungrateful. We are happy to have events, and we appreciate it. I don’t doubt tons of man hours go into events as I have volunteered myself multiple times to help out and have seen what goes into it. I just don’t understand why they have become less personal about the events. The home feeling is gone in a way. Again to make it clear, we continue to event because we love it and support it and know that its not a walk in the park. How can it be years ago that there was all these little things and it seemed to not be an issue but now its gone.
I could see the uproar if this was brought up and never done before in the past. ie ribbons that were personalized with each event, some little trinket or a pen. That’s the thing, this has been done in the past, and now its gone. Prices have gone up, and little things have been taken away. Why is it wrong of us to question it? If we didn’t have it before it wouldn’t be something to question but we’ve had it before.
I also think the numbers speak volumes (at least here in Ontario) there are way less people eventing now as its become so expensive. Between the distance of the drive, to the entry fee, to the hours and money that go into lessons on top of that building up to that weekend. Keep in mind coaching at the event as well.
Each year it truly is less and less and its sad to see our sport slowly disappear because its easier and cheaper to do trillium shows or schooling shows and win back your entry. Some of our bigger events used to give saddle pads, or halters or a gift certificate, now you don’t even get that. I used to win little buckets for 4th place. Its not that I WANT that, its just why is it gone?
I am an amateur, I work very hard at my office job to afford my expensive habit. Is it a choice yes, but to someone who’s mommy and daddy pays for their made horses to take home all the ribbons, they don’t care. If I finish 5th in a division of 28, heck yes I am going to be proud and feel like that’s a first place ribbon, because I put so much blood, sweat and tears into this horse that i EARNED it. Everyone is different but it takes a lot for someone to board a horse, pay for an event, plus all the other little things like lessons, vets and farrier. Again its a luxury but we work hard for it so earning a placing is huge. The lower levels are so easily forgotten, but if you look, those are the money maker levels. Those are the ones that are always full, and they are the first stages of eventing, they are always a guarantee.
Seasoned and jaded though I be - there is something about a little something being given out at prize-giving. Last schooling show, we were given a couple of little horse muffins, homemade, wrapped with a ribbon. But, a volunteer has to make them and package them. With a lot of new competitors, they were really thrilled with the little treat for their horses.
Here, people have to rush off to catch a ferry, get over the border, have a long drive ahead of them, so I understand people packing up and rushing off
but it does take away from the ribbon giving ceremonies of old. Now it is more like pick it up from the office.
And the after parties after x-c before s/j the next day were so much fun, but there just is never anybody to organize them.
[QUOTE=LadyB;8221786]
I just don’t understand why they have become less personal about the events.[/QUOTE]
I think you do understand what has become less personal about events, you simply do not like the answer.
The answer is simple - time and money.
There is less of both available so when push comes to shove people spend their time doing the necessaries and not the special things.
As has been said over and over again, no one in charge is going to complain if you take the bull by the horns and offer to contact suppliers and get donations to put in the envelopes. Remember that offer needs to include not just the time to call but the time to pick up whatever is donated, deliver it and stuff it into the envelopes.
It might also be the person who orders the ribbons was asked to save some money so they picked a slightly cheaper ribbon, not thinking that anyone would care one way or the other.
[QUOTE=LadyB;8221786]
I could see the uproar if this was brought up and never done before in the past. ie ribbons that were personalized with each event, some little trinket or a pen. That’s the thing, this has been done in the past, and now its gone. Prices have gone up, and little things have been taken away. Why is it wrong of us to question it? If we didn’t have it before it wouldn’t be something to question but we’ve had it before. I also think the numbers speak volumes (at least here in Ontario) there are way less people eventing now as its become so expensive. Between the distance of the drive, to the entry fee, to the hours and money that go into lessons on top of that building up to that weekend. Keep in mind coaching at the event as well.
Each year it truly is less and less and its sad to see our sport slowly disappear because its easier and cheaper to do trillium shows or schooling shows and win back your entry. Some of our bigger events used to give saddle pads, or halters or a gift certificate, now you don’t even get that. I used to win little buckets for 4th place. Its not that I WANT that, its just why is it gone? [/QUOTE]
I’d be willing to be that the reason WHY “the little things” are gone is that costs have gone up everywhere, for everything. In an attempt to hold costs down , the little things have been done away with. And I’m betting that the costs of the little things have gone up, too, coupled perhaps with a greater difficulty in finding sponsors to foot the bill (because their costs have gone up, plus, well, the economy hasn’t exactly been rocking in recent years).
I’m new to eventing, so I can’t harken back to this era of little things. Plus I work in an industry where I frequently boggle at the insane amount of money companies spend on unnecessary… stuff… Sure, I like pretty ribbons, but, pretty much, I like ANY ribbon when I’m the one winning it ;-). But a pen with the event name on it or some other gimme is not really necessary to me.
As the event world has grown, at least from my view over the last 28 years or so, some things are added, some have gone away.
I know the costs must be very high to run an event, and I am very thankful that there are still some unrec events out there- and that is where I see the little special things.
At a local combined test, if you win, there is a basket you can choose an item from - it’s a little thing, but very nice.
I don’t get to volunteer as much as I would like, but I try to bring a little something for the organizers - when I stop to pick up my packet - a dozen doughnuts, or something.
I love getting the ribbons, and it is awesome when there is a little something extra. For those of us who MIGHT get to 5 events a year, that is a big deal.
There are some organizers who continue to do those little things, and in light of the costs and volunteer base today, it seems that much more special.
We used to give a prize for the rider with the highest score after dressage and cross country (when you earned penalties for falling off versus an E, scores could be pretty high!)…we’d give it out at the competitors’ party the night before stadium, and the winner was usually grinning ear-to-ear to know that even though it wasn’t their weekend, their participation was still appreciated.
I feel like we are never going to settle this one. Some people would like to pay more for more prizes (cash, swag, ribbons) and others wouldn’t.
It’s silly to vilify the other side, liking ribbons/extras is not indicative of caring only about placings, any more than disliking ribbons is about being a heartless competitor just looking to move up fast.
As many have said, I’m sure any event would welcome efforts to solicit better prizes/sponsorships, but I can’t believe we are insulting each other and back to the “us/them” fight over ribbons.
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