As the 2013 AQHA World Championship Show comes to an end, I
look back on the last two weeks and think about all the moments I loved about
the show… and this year there were many! But there were also moments that both my
friends and I wondered, “Why did they do it that way?” or, “Why didn’t they do
it this way?” So that led me to wonder, is it possible for AQHA make everyone
happy while organizing, scheduling and balancing the needs of their pinnacle
show?
With more than 1,500 exhibitors and 2,000 horses covering a
wide variety of disciplines, I can only imagine the amount of Advil I would
need to see this event through from beginning to end. Luckily, the work doesn’t fall on just one show manager’s
shoulders, but rather a team of 40-plus AQHA staff that head to Oklahoma City
to head up the various jobs that the world show requires. That number doesn’t
include judges, ring stewards, fence and trail set up, cattle providers, drug
testers, and ground people. Running the awards room, taking turns over the 24-hour
a day stall office, stewarding, calculating results, running the trade show and
more, all happens at a rather smooth pace considering how much has to happen.
At this year’s world show, I had a concern as an exhibitor
and an owner about the schooling time for over fence horses. Of course, I felt like my horse needed
more time in the arena. I had calculated the expense it took to get to Oklahoma
City and the entry fees and felt for certain that the World Show should revolve
around me or at least my discipline! Don’t they understand a Junior Hunter
horse needs more schooling? I went
and spoke to some officials who kindly listened to my concerns and explained the
situation and scheduling from their perspective. They pointed out to me that
they had put up more fences in the new covered arena and allowed longer
practicing time over the fences in another arena.
As our breed becomes increasingly specialized, each
discipline has even more specific needs and wants and it got me thinking. Yes,
everyone here has spent the same amount of money, hard work and tears to be
here and compete. Cow horses and
pole benders deserve just as much time in the arena as junior hunters and
western riders.
AQHA’s Executive Director of Competition, Tom Persechino leads
many of the initiatives and changes surrounding the World Show, and Tom kindly
answered many of my questions. He
shared with me, “The World Show has the
largest mix of disciplines, horses, exhibitors and owners so you have to look
at it from a multitude of angles to see how one part affects the others.”
With so many
exhibitors, trainers, owners, and spectators wanting “their” world show needs
addressed, I wanted to know how AQHA receives feedback from its members, and if
they listen? So I went to the
source.
“More than
anything, we want exhibitors to come and talk to us and share their ideas and
thoughts on the entire world show experience,” says Persechino. “Like them, we
want and need for the show to remain successful, meaningful and relevant.”
So what are the
ways you can share you feedback with AQHA? If you want to go really “formal”, submit your suggestions
in writing before December 31 to the World Show Subcommittee (part
of the Show & Professional Horsemen Committee) so they can review for
implementation in the future.
There is also a
“suggestion box” in the show office where you can submit suggestions and comments
anonymously. Just try to be polite, as they say, “You attract more flies with
honey!”
Last year, AQHA sent a survey to world show exhibitors and
trainers to get their feedback on several world show related topics. Persechino shares, “We took the input we got and implemented
what we could this year, and we plan to do that again this year.” So look for another opportunity to
share feedback shortly.
Then, of course,
there are AQHA staff members at the show and they are willing to hear your
concerns. Tom shared two stories
of a professional and an owner who expressed their ideas about the show to him.
Tom says, “Some ideas can be implemented at the staff level or by going
straight to the Show Council and/or Executive Committee. Obviously that depends
on the circumstances (which is why I try to talk to people to get their input),
but with the World Show there are many ways to be more responsive and nimble.” But we just have to remember all that
is being balanced at the same time.
After hearing all
the ways you can share your feedback, I wanted to know what happens at that
point. Does my suggestion from the
box get dumped into file “D” or is it truly being examined for thoughtful
insight? Turns out, they all get
attention it just depends on the circumstance of how it is addressed.
Persechino says, “Depending on the topic, it can be addressed in a number of
different ways. There is a subcommittee of the Show & Professional Horsemen
Committee that reviews recommendations, we have an in-house World Show
Committee that includes staff from competition, marketing, operations, show
staff and publications that handles things, and the Show Council and Executive
Committee also can directly address areas of the World Show.”
But as members,
exhibitors, owners, and trainers, what we cannot do is just complain among
ourselves and wait until next year and complain again. “The Association is only
as strong as its members/exhibitors who take the time to provide quality,
constructive feedback,” says Persechino.
So get out your pen
and paper, or start typing, and provide good, constructive feedback and
ideas. As I share my thoughts, I
am going to remember that roper from Idaho who traveled just as far as I did
and paid the same entry fee to chase after that coveted gold-toned trophy.
About Sarah Elder Chabot:
Competing on the AQHA
circuit for more than 20 years, Sarah Elder Chabot has grown up showing
American Quarter Horses in all classes from the hunter ring to the
roping pen. With a diverse background in showing, Sarah is also a past
contributor for the American Quarter Horse Journal, GoHorseShow.com and
other equine publications. She currently competes on her horse, A Well
Dressed Man, in amateur hunter classes, and was recently named the 2013
Congress Champion in Amateur Hunter Hack. Sarah can be seen traveling
around
with her favorite companion Elise, an Irish Jack Russell and her ever
supportive husband, Andy. Outside of showing horses, you may see Sarah
putting in a quick run, traveling to far off lands, and tasting great
wine–all a part of her day job!
