I’m considering buying the horse farm next to mine to develop a dressage showgrounds. I have the $ to do it, but I think I might be nuts, as I’m not experienced at running shows. A nearby farm has two day shows that fill within hours (literally, in 6 hours), so I know the demand is there for a great showgrounds. Am I nuts? Where would I find runners/scorers/etc? How would you go about investigating this (I will be talking to the successful farm that has shows)…
1 Like
First draw up a business plan. What will this cost and what kind of revenue will it bring in? Do you want to learn to be a show manager and do you enjoy that complex kind of event managing? Or do you want to hire a show manager?
Most lower level shows are run as an extra revenue stream by nicer barns that also do boarding training clinics sales lessons etc. Most higher end shows are at dedicated horse parks or at fairgrounds where events are the only revenue stream. If you went that direction you’d need to max out occupancy and rent to any and everyone. Western competition dog agility garden clubs etc.
If you just want to run occasional shows for one discipline as part of a larger horse business I would talk to the local discipline association, see what help they can give.
A farm local to me runs dressage competitions. It is so low key, I only learned about it by reading published results! The couple who run it do so because they enjoy themselves. They have three full size arenas with excellent surfaces. There is good parking with hard standing for the wagons. There is a wooden hut that sells only coffee, tea and cake. There is nothing else, except well trimmed grass so it looks neat and tidy. The programme and entries are online. Riders are given their riding time and it is up to them to make it: no PA, no stewards. Also no audience because no one outside dressage has ever heard of the place. There is nothing at the gate on the road to indicate anything happens there. The riders appreciate riding away from home under good judges in a quiet environment and they have Olympians as regulars. It is the most minimalist show ground I’ve ever been to.
So if you are thinking of setting up a new facility, consider what is necessary, what is nice to have and what you might wish to develop in the future.
3 Likes
investigate setting this up as a 501.c3 ?
OP can buy the property then lease it back to whatever organization that is set up to run this primarily to separate OP’s personal asset from the venture. But whatever do not merge the two properties.
2 Likes
You could also develop and own the showgrounds but not hold the shows yourself (or only hold some of them yourself). This would almost certainly bring in more income as well since you can only hold so many shows of your own. Lease it out to interested organizations/barns/individuals to hold their own shows, clinics, meetings, etc. or even for things like food truck festivals, craft fairs, whatever. If you decide to do it this way, you may want to consider developing it in a way that can support multiple disciplines (whatever is popular in your area) and not just dressage. Make sure you know the requirements you should have in place for groups coming in (insurance etc)
For any shows you are running yourself, you might want to see if you can become part of a local show series (or start one if there isn’t one). You’ll bring in the people who are going for series points/year end awards and you might be able to share things like judges and volunteers.
1 Like
I think it’s a great idea - if you think you’ll fill up like the one near you and you enjoy running shows (or have friends who will help as it takes a village to run even a small show - see #5).
Some things I look for/think about are the following (and assuming you are talking about schooling shows):
- Footing. Has to be descent in both show and warm-up rings. Absolutely no grass rings. Exact material not all that important, but not too deep, and not too hard. Maintained well. Can be indoor or outdoor rings.
- Parking. Can someone not so great at backing a trailer get in and out.
- A good place to take either baby horses or novice riders, or someone trying their musical freestyle for the first time, etc. (quiet, good warm-up area, low key).
- Entry fees on the cheaper side (and definitely much cheaper than recognized).
- Friendly people running the shows. You need someone to take in entries, schedule the rides, communicate with people, process entries and awards day of show, at least 1 ring steward depending on how far apart the schooling and show rings are, a runner, a scribe…
- Access to water is a bonus - for horse drinking and hosing off if it’s hot.
- Having food/drink for exhibitors to purchase (or free) is a very nice to have.
- Being included in the GMO list eligible for their year-end awards, qualifying for GMO championships, etc is important for those who only show schooling.
- Separate year-end awards for attending multiple shows at venue is a bonus.
- Having a show earlier in the year to serve as a warm-up for the season is a bonus.
There are only so many weeks in a year and we all only have so much $$$, so we all have to pick wisely. You offer a good show, they will come (at least where I live in Region 1).
2 Likes
Lots of great ideas. I’m in NJ, and there’s a real need for recognized and schooling shows with great footing, good parking, etc. As it grows, there are 2 small barns that could be offered for limited stabling. I would not be trying to make a profit on this–once you install two good arenas, that ship has pretty well sailed!
1 Like
well, volunteer.
That will give you some insight into the business end of things (if you can get into the office) and do network with the owner of the other facility
