What Makes A Show/s Popular With You?

[poodlefan]

Following from from Stolz Rotties comments about the Champion class as a suggestion to improve/maintain show numbers, I thought I'd start this thread up to figure out what makes some shows popular (and therefore what folk want at a show).

I figure people will show if they find the whole experience pleasureable. Anyhoo here's what rocks my boat:

* Show clusters. Being able to travel to two or more shows in the one venue is likely to attract my entries than a single. Want a classic example? Tumbarumba doubling up with Illabo at the Tumba show grounds has produced, IMO, one of the best country show weekends available. More on this one to follow

* Adequate space ringside to set up. There's at least one show (*cough* Gundagai *cough*) that my show journal notes as a bitch to get anywhere to set up even if you are there at sparrow fart. I don't want to drive 2.5 hours to struggle to be able to find a postage stamp sized place to set up and not be able to see my ring. Pass. Short of Bo Bengston or someone of that ilk judging, I won't enter that one.

* Not having to lug gear up hill and down dale from the car park. That's a big turnoff. Being able to show out of the back of your car sure beats having to wrestle gear over fences, past locked gates etc. If you have to transport it, making damn sure there's room to move gear through between the inconsiderate of our number helps. Roping areas off is a good idea.

* Nearby accommodation or on show camping. It might be the best show in the world but if you can't find anywhere dog friendly to stay or camp, don't expect entries. Tumba's got this weighed off. Dog friendly cabins a stroll away or camp on the grounds.

* Judges with a half way decent reputation for fairness/objectivity. I've seen a few show committees wonder why a show further away got a better entry and sometimes its who they chose to judge. I'm sure we can all name folk we wouldnt' enter under and some of those names crop up A LOT. Most people have notes or spreadsheets about judges these days.

* Some sort of refreshments. Even a sausage sizzle and a cold can of softdrink beats having to drive off grounds to find anything to eat. In that regard, huge thanks to Wolumla this year for finding a soccer club? to fill the breach left by someone withdrawing their catering offer at the 11th hour.

* Decent grounds. They don't have to look like the 18th hole at Atlanta with matching clubhouse but something you're not going to get bogged in or that your dog has to tip toe through to avoid the prickles is great. Big thumbs up to Bemboka for moving their venue to Nimmitabel due to prickles last year.

* Dunnies close to the ring. They don't have to be flash but even the hire ones are appeciated when you dont' have to have a GPS and half an hour to find them. Was thinking of starting a flash hire out dunny/bathroom business but looks like there's aleady folk doing it.

* Cash or useful prizes. Friend of mine got a box of envelopes once as a prize.. and they were so old as to be useless. That's just insulting. I'd rather have a nicer ribbon that receive stuff the Show Committee got for Christmas or won somewhere else. No offence but we've all got chairs - probably a lot better for our backs than the Golo ones and at least you can always use dog towels.

Anyone else got thoughts???

Edited April 1, 2011 by poodlefan

[SparkyTansy]

We in WA are pretty spoiled... we have amazing grounds, a canteen which is open for most shows, and ample room to set up. All our shows are in mostly one place except for the (very) few country shows we have.

What shows get my enties?

- Shows with international judges, particularly if it's a Gundog specialist judging my breed or a European judging group 5 (because they are used to tails in OES)

- Shows that might attract a higher entry of breeds (because i really enjoy nice long shows where I can spend some time relaxing and chatting to friends!) Usually these shows are the ones with international judges!

- I love shows that hand out ribbons as prizes - the joy on a newbie face when they receive their first ribbon for their dog is priceless. Having to ask for it at the office just doesn't have the same effect!

- I like having two shows in a weekend and I absolutely loved the AM/PM shows we had last year. Particularly with a coated breed, it makes it more appealing having the dog mostly ready for two shows rather than just one. I also dislike split shows if you have to come back the next day for general specials.

[poocow]

Think you hit the nail on the head there PF!

- show clusters with 2-3 per weekend, kick off on a friday afternoon is great!

- camping facilities/exhibitor & dog friendly accommodation

- easy to navigate grounds - I don't like parking a million miles away and trekking up and down mountains!

- food

- rings that aren't full of potholes - no one wants to see me stack it!

- space around the ring to set up - Nimmitabel was a bit squished, but a fair trade off for no prickles!

[Showpony]

Think you hit the nail on the head there PF!

- show clusters with 2-3 per weekend, kick off on a friday afternoon is great!

- camping facilities/exhibitor & dog friendly accommodation

- easy to navigate grounds - I don't like parking a million miles away and trekking up and down mountains!

- food

- rings that aren't full of potholes - no one wants to see me stack it!

- space around the ring to set up - Nimmitabel was a bit squished, but a fair trade off for no prickles!

Hi,

- Ring ropes that you can see

- Having a Gundog........a large ring

- plenty of cababna space around all rings- Kangaroo Valley is very squashy too

- interstate or o/s judges

- 8.30 start for Sweepstakes

- 30-40 min lunch break

- a cabana set up at the ring entrance for marshalling - this was done at Kangaroo Valley and was great to be able to stand in the shade

[poodlefan]

I have a couple of "favourite show weekends" that unless the judges are hideous I would always enter;

Tumbarumba/Illabo

Bairnsdale ( what can I say about a show that has someone with 22+ different flavours of fudge AND espresso coffee)

Coolamon/Ganmain.. the trek in and out of Wagga each day is worth it.

[brintey]

- shows at Castle Hill (its close to my house and I am lazy!)

- shows with plenty of space for parking and gazebos

- as I have a full-on weekday job I really hate shows which start on a Friday, if you have to come down on a Saturday it doesn’t matter how early you are on the day, if it’s a popular show finding a spot to set up is hard

- judges who will put up a rare breed

- international judges from Europe, as opposed to the UK/Asia/the Americas, just because they know my breed better

- any show where I know my friends or other owners of my breed will be going

- shows with neuter – I don’t actually have a neuter but like to support the initiative

- any show which has EFTPOS so I can buy my lunch – I don’t get paid in cash and I don’t always have time to stop at an EFTPOS machine on the way

- any show which I can enter using OzEntries – I don’t have a chequebook nor access to a post office during working hours, so if I can’t do it online, it doesn’t get done!

I visited Victoria last year and I loved KCC Park – the hard surface for running on was particularly good as I have a speed demon giant breed - I could get a much better grip and could actually keep up with my dog. Would love something like that for Sydney!

[Nevafollo]

My most favorite show is Armidale because its held within a caravan park in summer, after school holidays and I would imagine under normal circumstance the park would be empty but its always FULL when they hold the show so a good money spinner for them. We had a ball this year the fact that we had access to a pool made it even better ( I went swimming in the lunch break before my breed was on)! For me thou it ticks all the boxes, good area, great grounds, excellent accomodation, well run, so far decent judges, the list of why its awesome is endless!

I will go pretty much anywhere IF the judges are ones Im interested in, I would prefer not to get the car bogged thou so thats important! As someone already pointed out having a ring BIG enough for Gundogs to actually MOVE is always nice!

Another place we like to show is Gunnedah purely because of its camping and rings fantastic facilities!!!

[Trisven13]

I have a couple of "favourite show weekends" that unless the judges are hideous I would always enter;

Tumbarumba/Illabo

Bairnsdale ( what can I say about a show that has someone with 22+ different flavours of fudge AND espresso coffee)

Coolamon/Ganmain.. the trek in and out of Wagga each day is worth it.

Whilst I haven't done Bairnsdale I can agree with you wholeheartedly on the others. I also really like the Corowa/Deni weekend that is held at the Equestrian Centre in Thurgoona - and any other show that is held there. Lovely big grounds for set-up, large rings with walkways, clean toilets, easy parking and good food.

I tend to like a lot of the smaller country shows that may not be as easy to park or set-up around (Ovens Valley is one I can think of that is harder for parking etc) but they always make up for it with lovely company and a very friendly atmosphere. Holbrook Show is another one that is very nice - and only 10 minutes from home .

I also really, really like to be able to see all the rings easily - no point being at a show if you can't watch what is going on.

[poodlefan]

Whilst I haven't done Bairnsdale I can agree with you wholeheartedly on the others. I also really like the Corowa/Deni weekend that is held at the Equestrian Centre in Thurgoona - and any other show that is held there. Lovely big grounds for set-up, large rings with walkways, clean toilets, easy parking and good food.

I tend to like a lot of the smaller country shows that may not be as easy to park or set-up around (Ovens Valley is one I can think of that is harder for parking etc) but they always make up for it with lovely company and a very friendly atmosphere. Holbrook Show is another one that is very nice - and only 10 minutes from home .

I also really, really like to be able to see all the rings easily - no point being at a show if you can't watch what is going on.

When is that Trish?

Edited April 1, 2011 by poodlefan

[tommygirl]

I like shows that are on afternoon/evening in Summer.

A few shows that I did over Summer, it was scorching hot by about 10am. One day we got baby puppy in group and it was stinking hot, that was at about 11am...we ended up leaving cause it was just too hot with a 13 week old in a crate, but I heard later they didnt get around to 'in shows' till about 3pm. I couldnt have stayed on for another 4 hours in that heat with a puppy it was too much.

[Dogsfevr]

e perfect venue/judges etc etc would be great BUT it rarely happens so by choice this how i deal with

Sh*t judges & venue don't bother

Sh*t venue good judges -go

All other options doable

Most Perth people have never experienced the optional venues east & many wouldn't survive most here have a hissy fit if there s a chance of rain & we don't show under cover.

I enjoy heading east & showing in all sorts of weird set ups & have had a blast .

I have shown is torrential rain,had mud from head to feet,shoes ruined,cold ,dogs look awful,staying up right was an art form & enjoyed every minute

Good company makes the day & i have brilliant friends east where we can make a bad set up the best place out

[whiskedaway]

I haven't shown much yet being a newbie, but I really enjoy the night shows (not sure I would if it was bitterly cold though). I make sure to enter specialties (working dog, Spitz, will travel if there's ever a Flappie specialty) and if there is a judge from Finland/Norway/Sweden/Denmark I will definitely enter because they are much more likely to know my breed. Being in SA it's not often that we travel anywhere away from SACA Park. However I'm heading to Mt Gambier and will be doing Sunbury at Melbourne Cup weekend - I know there will be a few from my breed then and I am looking forward to having some competition (and seeing interstate friends).

[mirawee]

I will travel if there's ever a Flappie specialty

We travelled interstate to compete against another Lappy Would definitely travel for a Lappy specialty although our current show Lappies are 8 and 10yo

As said, we are "lucky" in WA. Our metro show grounds are excellent the majority of the time - and when not excellent they are still good (although it is fun doing agility in a "lake" or with dogs who like going off for a swim ) The country show grounds I have been too have both been good as well :D* And the ag show I go to is fine parking wise and while you know you get tiny rings at least it is the same for everyone

[poocow]

Yes showdog I agree, even if the grounds were fab, if the judges are crap then I won't be wasting my time. Will happily put up with slightly worse grounds for a good judge.

Prefer the interstate judges and internationals for my Field

[Rebanne]

Whilst I haven't done Bairnsdale I can agree with you wholeheartedly on the others. I also really like the Corowa/Deni weekend that is held at the Equestrian Centre in Thurgoona - and any other show that is held there. Lovely big grounds for set-up, large rings with walkways, clean toilets, easy parking and good food.

I tend to like a lot of the smaller country shows that may not be as easy to park or set-up around (Ovens Valley is one I can think of that is harder for parking etc) but they always make up for it with lovely company and a very friendly atmosphere. Holbrook Show is another one that is very nice - and only 10 minutes from home .

I also really, really like to be able to see all the rings easily - no point being at a show if you can't watch what is going on.

When is that Trish?

there are 3 shows on there in a fortnight and then there are another 3 in August, brilliant grounds and facilites, food is a bit ordinary.

[Rebanne]

Shows at thurgoona

[espinay2]

Things that get my vote include:

International judges - In particular from Europe or Scandanavia

Places I dont have to lug the gear too far. With a giant breed, the gear is HEAVY and I have a bad knee.

Somewhere I dont have to fight for a place near the ring - I like to at least be able to see what is going on.

Shade in the ring in summer! - particularly for group judging - having to stand the dogs out in the heat for too long is not something I like to do. As a result I simply dont show much in summer any more.

Online entries - yes it makes it MUCH easier to enter.

ETA - forgot to say toilets that dont take you all day to get to and dont need you to line up for half an hour to get into. you shouldnt have to take a packed lunch and a compass just to get to the loo!!!

Edited April 1, 2011 by espinay2

[SkySoaringMagpie]

Judges who tick as many of the following boxes as possible:

- specialist and/or experienced

- independent decision makers

- not used frequently in the state

- from another state.

You'd think some NSW clubs were going for an environmental prize the way they recycle local judges.

Judges, ring stewards and show committees who are professional, confident, well informed and pleasant.

Decent sized well maintained rings - nothing worse than showing a long legged hound on a postage stamp. Fortunately my hounds have pretty tough feet and most prickles don't bother them at all but it must be a PITA if you have a more sensitive dog.

Clean easy to find toilets with liquid soap and paper towels.

Clear signage and/or clear instructions in the numbers about rings and parking. One show last year had a large legible ring map pinned to the gateway as you drove in.

Nice fringies. I know budget is an issue and the regs don't allow what I'm about to suggest but I'd rather get a nice fringie from a good supplier and no trophy/cash than a crappy looking fringie.

[Sayly]

Other than a good judge, I like:

Good toilets (and showers if camping).

Nice stewards and comittee who don't take your head off.

Competition!

Enough room for setting up so more than 5 people get ringside spots.

[SkySoaringMagpie]

Shade in the ring in summer! - particularly for group judging - having to stand the dogs out in the heat for too long is not something I like to do. As a result I simply dont show much in summer any more.

Online entries - yes it makes it MUCH easier to enter.

Good ones! I agree.