On the heels of our hugely popular story “We Ask The Experts: How would you fix the horse industy?”, we received many thoughtful answers and one has really gained momentum. Multi-carded judge and halter trainer Tina Price of Brenham, Texas thinks one answer is to combine breed shows at venues that can accommodate classes in several arenas and provide multiple judges. “If we’re going to be paying five dollars a gallon in fuel, let’s cut our travel time and capitalize on our showing time.”
Price suggests a holiday weekend show might be the paint, appaloosa, palomino and buckskin clubs putting on a large show at a venue such as in Fort Worth. “With so many multi-carded judges there is the opportunity of hiring a smaller group that simply moves from arena to arena, and then split between them,” Tina says. “Bring in the NSBA, WCHA, and NRHA for class approval in the classes. These can be organized like mini world shows. A show this size will also pull in vendors and sponsors, who are always looking for a profitable function to attend.”
Tina adds, “Smaller weekend shows that continue to dwindle would benefit from combining with other breeds so that expenses are shared and exhibitors are increased. With more associations moving toward multi-judged shows, more interest and participation is encouraged,” she explains.
GoHorseShow.com is curious how others feel about this suggestion so we asked several trainers, exhibitors, breeders, and judges from different breed organizations what they think about this idea. Let’s find out what everyone had to say! As always, please let us know what you think in the comments section of this article and make sure to vote in the poll at the end of the article.
Multi-carded judge and Multiple World Champion Halter Exhibitor Terry Sartain–Absolutely a positive approach for everyone in the industry. Several such shows exist and more need to occur. Anytime we can enhance the quality of the showing experience we need to run in that direction.
Multiple World Champion Charlie Cole–I think this sounds good in theory, but few trainers cross over from different breeds anymore. I used to keep several paints full-time, but now that the Paint World is conflicting with the AQHA World; it’s not feasible. The Reichert last year offered several breed shows, including APHA, POA, ApHC and AQHA Classes, but I didn’t really like it–just too many horses and people going in too many different directions for me.
Multi-Carded Judge and Halter Trainer Tina Price—From a trainer’s view, it’s hard to make a living hauling four horses one weekend, then three the next, then have to choose between two breed shows and still not take a full load to which ever is chosen. If the breed shows were held together, the trainer could literally take everything in his barn. Talk about cutting expenses for everyone and increasing profitability. People might even be able to afford more trips to shows. As the horse population shrinks, trainers that once worked in one breed are now having to diversify just to stay in business.
ApHC World Champion Breeder Noelle Schmidt—First, my initial answer to this question would be from a business management position. Although, I am a great believer in diversifying ones business positions to gain greater market share, I am not too sure that we would see the AQHA, APHA and ApHC team up together to form a few large intrabreed association shows. I believe that in today’s current economic state, each association is rightfully fighting for every members registration, every foal registration and every entry at each of their shows. I would think each breed associations CFO would believe a sharing of profits could be counterproductive to a positive financial gain for their association.
AQHA Select Competitor Susan Wilson— Years ago, before the economic downturn became fully evident, I mentioned the idea of APHA contacting AQHA to possibly put their World Shows together at the same facility during the same time frame. To say that the idea was resoundingly panned by those who even dared to hear me is an understatement. Imagine the vendor pool, the judging pool and the atmosphere for spectators if two of the biggest breeds could cooperate to share the resources! The “us versus them” mentality is not going to work in the world today. The horse show world has a limited amount of people in it to begin with, and when you factor in a depressed economy, the benefits of cooperation between breeds far outweighs any of the negatives that the naysayers can come up with in my opinion.
Multi-carded Judge Kathryn Kope–I remember going to multi-breed shows when I was a youth rider. We used to call them “Coloramas”. There are still shows like this held every year, The New York State Horse Breeders show is one example. This type of show runs one breed after the other; the shows are not going on at the same time in multiple arenas. This makes it easy for folks who show more than one breed and can bring all their stock to the same venue.
When you talk about running shows concurrently you get into the problem of trainers and exhibitors not being able to get to all their classes. It has been done and certainly is attainable, as long as all involved will co-operate and be flexible with their schedules.
APHA Amateur Exhibitor Nicola Young of Alberta Canada–I think it makes sense. We have few shows up here due to climate. To get show costs split between associations just makes sense. Plus, the shows would likely be bigger and have a full slate of classes, making it more cost effective to attend them. To me, I don’t see a downside. Competitors get to mingle, have bigger shows worth spending gas money to get to and their associations share costs, maybe taking show costs down.
APHA Halter Exhibitor Faye Murray of Newton, Iowa--I think that these “combined” shows are a great idea! In these hard economic times, we all have to think outside the box, horse show management included, in order to survive. The benefits, in my opinion, would be a great turnout (# of total entries), trainers can make the most of a show if they have customers in different breeds, and how much fun it is for the exhibitors! I think a good example of this is the Reichert Celebration-they have had great success and it would be fantastic if that could be carried over to the local level! I definitely think it would be worth a try instead of canceling shows.
AQHA Exhibitor Beth Ann Conrad–I think it is a great idea. The problem I had when I went to one in Delaware;The APHA exhibitors were paying half the price for their stalls, entries and everything else. The AQHA side was double the price, the classes were worked in with the same AQHA classes so they went longer, and I was a little miffed to be paying more for the same facilities, judges, and the day was really long. I would only be for it if all the associations were paying the same fees and the day wasn’t longer.
Trail Clinician Tim Kimura–Several considerations…the cost of the fuel to get there I get, but that’s a lot of arenas and lots of stalls and lots of staff and lots of class conflicts… Reichert Celebration has many breeds during the week, and I know that’s tough to manage schedule and such… maybe two breeds–quarters and paints could work… but it’s more complicated than you think!
Multi-Breed Amateur Exhibitor Tamara Brown Templeton –I think that the Pinto Association had the right idea creating the Color Breed Congress, including Appaloosas, Palominos and Buckskins with their show. We have adopted something similar in Florida, headed by Whizzer Baker, called the Sun Spotted Color Breed Shows, where we hire multi-breed carded judges and invite the same registries as the Color Breed Congress.
I believe this combining of clubs for shows will be the wave of the future. At the last SunSpotted Color Breed Show in Lady Lake in February, I was able to show my triple registered horse in the Palomino classes and the Pinto classes…..that saved me from having to haul to two different shows. I had the opportunity to meet and greet with people from all the included breed groups and earn points in both the participating clubs that my horse is registered with (including state points for each breed).
Multi-Carded Judge Lita Hottel–I just got back from Travagliatocavalli, Italy. I judged a show with AQHA, APHA, ApHC and open classes. I feel like this is a good idea for many reasons. First, the cost of getting judges to Italy is high. This is a way for many breeds to share a judge and the expenses of a show including ring stewards, facility and judges. Having the open classes gives those riders and introduction to the breed shows. It also helps remind the breed show exhibitors how most of them started. If gives them a chance to lend a helping hand or encourage the open show exhibitors.
AQHA/APHA Professional Horseman Heather Young–As an exhibitor, I feel collaboration amongst multi-breed associations is an incentive. I show NRHA, AQHA, and APHA; so, if I go to an AQHA show that offers APHA classes I can fill my trailer, get more horses shown and keep all of the customers happy. This collaboration will save exhibitors money because they can show multi-breeds at one facility in one weekend as opposed to traveling to different venues.
As the Show Manager of Guadalupe Valley Quarter Horse Breeders Association I do hold an APHA Special Event with my AQHA Show. I add APHA Working Cowhorse, Roping, and Reining. I offer these classes in my AQHA show, therefore, I’m not out any additional money and am able to generate revenue while serving the needs of my exhibitors. Collaboration of multi-breed shows is a win-win!
Multi-Breed Halter Exhibitor Mary Beth Hugo–I just wanted to comment that somehow, someway, the associations are going to have to help the owners/exhibitors be able to get the most bang for their buck. I honestly can’t think of any one breed or discipline that has not been affected by rising fuel prices, out of control feed prices, and the general cost of horse ownership and the cost of doing business. I’m not whining, but I do think Tina Price has hit a valid point. I particularly like the TOVO/Landrush Paint futurity in Tulsa due to the fact it has two nominated futurities, and they also offer an open futurity, so you have three futurities in three days, with one trip fee and one hotel bill. So much nicer to not have to haul your weanlings all over the place.
