What is killing recognized dressage shows?

[Silverbridge]

I’m glad I only show in the southwest (AZ, southern CA, NM) because it sounds sorta nasty and cutthroat where some of you are located.

Out here it’s not unusual for the owners of sponsored horses and for amateur riders who’ve been at it awhile to sponsor classes, and rings, and more. We typically have somewhat arbitrary things like Bronze, Silver, Gold, and hospitality sponsorships offered, with varied levels of recognition (ad in the programs, mentions during the show, arena banners & signage) that people can sign up for. So with all that in place those competitors and owners are contributing even more $$$ to the event, in addition to kicking in the entry fees for their own horses.

Instead of the “lower level Sally” making the show happen for the “upper level people” to participate in, it’s fully the other way around. And I don’t know anyone who resents that. But I admit I don’t know everyone.

[SillyHorse]

@enjoytheride

AND add in higher level riders whispering that people like Sally shouldn’t exist at shows because they’re getting in the way or not doing real dressage. If Sally gets badgered away from showing, or if Sally’s level is dropped the show ceases to exist because the show can’t afford to run.

I’ve been showing dressage for more than 20 years and have never heard anything like this. Further, if these people are “whispering,” how is Sally being badgered? This is, IMO, a fabricated scenario.

[SillyHorse]

@Silverbridge

it’s not unusual for the owners of sponsored horses and for amateur riders who’ve been at it awhile to sponsor classes, and rings, and more. We typically have somewhat arbitrary things like Bronze, Silver, Gold, and hospitality sponsorships offered, with varied levels of recognition (ad in the programs, mentions during the show, arena banners & signage) that people can sign up for. So with all that in place those competitors and owners are contributing even more $$$ to the event, in addition to kicking in the entry fees for their own horses.

Instead of the “lower level Sally” making the show happen for the “upper level people” to participate in, it’s fully the other way around. And I don’t know anyone who resents that.

This is the reality I’ve known for a long time.

[enjoytheride]

Not fabricated at all.

[SillyHorse]

Okay, then explain to me how if these people are “whispering,” Sally is being badgered. Again, I’ve never heard anything like this. Maybe you’re hanging around the wrong people.

[quietann]

There’s stage whispers, you know.

[SillyHorse]

Now you’re getting ridiculous.

[atr]

I’d add global warming to all of this. Out here in the Wild West our recognized show season is shoehorned into a late May to late August time frame. The start dictated by when winter ends and the end dictated by regional finals (the timing of which is another topic.)

In the past five years, our seasons have shifted. Winter starts a bit later and the summers here have got a lot hotter. You’ve got to be pretty motivated to do all the farting around to get to a show, then don your show clothes and head down centerline in the desert in July or August. (Especially as you hit menopause, which is a lot of dressage riders.)

[atlatl]

@fivestrideline

It’s theoretically for the use of the grounds that is usually covered by stall fees. Manure removal, bathrooms, trash removal, yes physical wear and tear by the trailer and horse itself, etc.

I do see some prize lists with grounds fees PLUS haul in, and the total comes out to way more than I think logical.

You think that’s bad; the last time I showed at Flintridge, granted it was a while ago, I was charged a “non-compete” fee for each day my horse wasn’t entered in a class. This was on top of the stall that I was already paying for.

[Mersidoats]

That’s highway robbery. You already paid to be there.

[atlatl]

@Mersidoats

That’s highway robbery. You already paid to be there.

Yep, and why I won’t go back there.

[pluvinel]

@atlatl

I was charged a “non-compete” fee for each day my horse wasn’t entered in a class.

“Non-compete fee”… for a horse show??? Do tell what where you supposed to not compete for?

In rethinking my question, maybe it was a fee if you were bringing a horse on the property and not competing. Enquiring minds want to know.

[SillyHorse]

@pluvinel

In rethinking my question, maybe it was a fee if you were bringing a horse on the property and not competing. Enquiring minds want to know.

Yes, that’s what it is. (Love that you know it’s Enquiring minds, not inquiring minds.)

[Mersidoats]

You can bring a horse and school and not compete, as long as you pay a non-compete fee. To charge someone who has already paid a class fee an additional non-compete fee, simply because they are not competing on that day, is ridiculous.

[pluvinel]

@Mersidoats

You can bring a horse and school and not compete, as long as you pay a non-compete fee. To charge someone who has already paid a class fee an additional non-compete fee, simply because they are not competing on that day, is ridiculous.

I agree. I was just curious about the term “non-compete” which is usually used to restrict people who leave a business not to practice in the business for a time or distance or both.

[NoSuchPerson]

@SillyHorse

Love that you know it’s Enquiring minds, not inquiring minds

However, for me, as a US English speaker, it would properly be “inquiring minds.”

The difference between inquire and enquire is primarily a matter of regional differences in spelling. In the United States, “inquire” is the more commonly used spelling, while in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, “enquire” is preferred. There is no difference in the meaning of the two words, and their usage completely depends on the English writing style (British English or American English).

In American English, “inquire” is strongly preferred for all use cases.

[SillyHorse]

@NoSuchPerson “Enquiring minds want to know” originated as a slogan from The National Enquirer, a tabloid paper here in the states.

[VodkaRedbullx2]

Yeah and it’s $40 to 60 per day so at that point you’re better off getting the day stall for $75

[atlatl]

@pluvinel

@atlatl

I was charged a “non-compete” fee for each day my horse wasn’t entered in a class.

“Non-compete fee”… for a horse show??? Do tell what where you supposed to not compete for?

In rethinking my question, maybe it was a fee if you were bringing a horse on the property and not competing. Enquiring minds want to know.

Happy to clarify; the horse was competing 2 of the 3 days that the show ran. They charged me something like $40 extra for the day he wasn’t entered in a class. One FEI class a day for 2 days just wasn’t enough for them I guess.

This was on top of all the regular office fees, the stall fee, the tack room fee, and all the rest of nickel-dime-you-to-death fees.

[SillyHorse]