Whoops, I’m not from the area so I didn’t catch that there is local support. That’s great! I hope they get a foothold. I imagine going national would be a challenge for anyone.
It’s starting to trickle through my FB feeds as at least something for people to consider.
6 Likes
They finally got onto a Great SW page! 
They are on the events page, but not the calendar page. But they are on the site! Yay! 
Great SW is a major permanent show facility and one of the most professionally run in the region. They have several full-time staff positions. Their site states that they have 650 permanent stalls, another 500 temporary if needed, and have 70,000 class entries per year. I easily believe it. It’s a huge facility and can run several smaller shows at a time.
GSW was founded in 1985 when it was ‘out in the country’ in the small rural town of Katy, 20 miles from the edge of the city. Katy is now one of the most vigorous economic centers surrounding Houston. Tall buildings, dense housing, etc. And a major freeway 99 built out that way to service the booming edge cities on the western side of Houston.
Historical factoid – my origin immigrant family on my dad’s side settled about 20 miles west of Katy in the 1840’s. At that time the KT Railroad (Kansas-Texas) ran through, and that’s where “Katy, TX” got it’s name. My great grandmother ran a hotel close to the KT train tracks in an even smaller town further west.
Facebook …
Facility stats …
What local connections? They have mentioned ONE stable where they held a clinic.
This area is crazy with horses and show/training barns in several major riding disciplines. Including some major show/sales barns (6 figure horse prices), and large well-appointed show facilities. I can think of 8 of them, offhand without ransacking my memory.
Maybe UDJA has connections here, beyond the one clinic venue. So far all quiet re endorsements. Maybe everyone is waiting to see how it turns out before they volunteer their name in support. We will see.
1 Like
The people they go to shows with? Their personal friends and connections. Not all networking is visible. Palina’s ponies by itself has three different locations. I get some things from their feed that gives me an idea of what kind of equine activities they are active in.
To get started, they just need enough barns they have a connection with to agree to come and bring their students to their shows. There are a plethora of local organizations that involve memberships and offer show series. Even if they never get above that level, they have to start somewhere. The only real advantage USEF has is it’s age and propaganda.
8 Likes
Very true. But this is only helpful for their own inner circle, who already know them.
They have already gone public and their site and their communications don’t have any endorsements from others in the area. That’s the missing part, because most of their potential show goer’s have never heard of them. There is no way for people who don’t already know them to know who is supporting them. They aren’t giving whatever bona fides they have.
1 Like
I think they have made it pretty obvious….they are building this up from scratch. If you’re looking for big $ donor/endorsement/incredibly burdensome and costly regulations in order to feel okay to enter what is currently the equivalent of an independent show series; then I think that is your problem and you shouldn’t enter the show or join their organization. But the least you could do is stop accusing them of being nefarious.
There are clearly people interested in this. Some barns are already confirming that they will be coming with a group and apparently some people are already submitting entries.
22 Likes
I haven’t accused them of anything. I’ve just pointed out how they are presenting themselves.
Their Great SW show page link …
https://www.udjc.org/newyearshow
One of the judges is Jane Lloyd. Now we are getting somewhere! 
Jane has been in this area forever and is a well-known pillar in dressage, and does some eventing as well. She rides, trains, shows. From England.
It will be interesting to hear Jane’s thoughts & opinions. She is a very forthright person.
Amy Uniss is Show Manager and Haley Rogge is Course Designer for the January show. That right there tells you not a scam.
Now, whether these shows catch on and become a permanent fixture might be another story.
But if I get my little project mare going, this would be a fantastic opportunity to go and see how she handles everything.
19 Likes
I think this is a really smart way to do jumpers, especially low level jumpers. So often what we really want is an outing, a chance to go somewhere else and have fun and jump in a fancy place over different jumps. Basically just a nice dress rehearsal, rather than agonizing about how to decide between all the clear rounds at 0.8m
15 Likes
Amy as the Show Manager is a great thing. She ran GSEC for years and was awesome in that position. They are lucky to have her.
4 Likes
Absolutely. It’s been obvious for a while it’s not a scam. Many organizations start out small with local barns and word of mouth. If things run as advertised then things progress. If things don’t run as advertised the series dies. I think it’s important to recognize that not all people are the best at social influencing. It doesn’t mean they’re bad at what they do.
13 Likes
Never thought of this as a scam, rather yet another well meaning attempt to fill a gap in available show opportunities.
I recall many of these over the decades, all faded away. Maybe this one will stick, maybe not. But most will not be in a hurry to spend money on joining until they can prove the concept can support itself.
Ideally they can get an easy to understand, specific definition of “style” which will break clear round ties so folks know how to present their horse, especially if they are looking for mileage on a Hunter type. What specifically are they looking to see? An Eq type ride? European style? Swap at the base or rubs count off? Explain.
5 Likes
Exactly! I was surprised to see her name but she is literally the best.
That is good news that we can see that there are known reputable people involved. Known to those in the local world where the shows are getting started. 
As a local, you know that GSWEC has been going through a lot of management changes (hence why Amy is now with UDJC) and a lot of full time office changes. I swear its a new sponsorship/social manager every major horse show lately (though the sponsorship manager part is nothing new, it always changed when I had to contact them about a vendor spot/issue). I know the show is up on their website NOW, but I never fretted. They’ve been known to not update the website/show bills/etc before for much larger events. 
Also - I’ll vouch for David. I worked for him for a short time with Magic Tack. While my customer base wasn’t Magic Tack material, I did try it and he was gracious and supportive while we tried it out. He was also always easy to contact and talk to (even with the accent). His wife and he are mainly known around the Dressage circles, which is why I didn’t know them until a mutual friend introduced us for Magic Tack. While I’m out of the HJ shows, I think he and his wife are creating something great here and have a lot of great local supporters.
17 Likes
Thank you for this information. It is reassuring to anyone who does want this type of change in showing.
This is what they most need! Endorsements from people known to people they want to come to shows.
1 Like
Best of luck. I really hope you are able to get this going all over the country. I am in the northeast, and would love an alternative. Especially an alternative that is run like European show. Thank you for doing this
7 Likes
Just bumping to say there is an announced zoom Q&A on the 28th if anyone has any questions. You can find the link on their FB page (UDJClub).
7 Likes
Just checking – I didn’t see a mention of this Q&A on their home page just now.
I’m on mobile Safari today, traveling, if that matters to locating it.
Interested in listening in. Friends on the fence about going. Curious how many others are thinking about going, as if now.
