Loading ...‘Leave a Reply’ below and tell us…
Why do you think this is happening?
What is the decision process you go through when deciding whether or not to go to a clinic, show or other horse related event?
Have you noticed more or fewer people and horses at the local horse shows, clinics and events?
Loading ...
i would love to go to the local events but cant find any. the sponsers of the events dont advertise enough! I search the feed stores bulletin boards and the internet and cant find any shows. I just happened to find this one by accident a week ago and have really enjoyed all the event information. so thats why you dont see me and my horses, there i didnt know it was happening..
I am seeing fewer people at events, horse related or otherwise. And when they are at events I see people spending less money. They are doing a lot of looking at merchandise and less buying. It started last year with the gas price increase and now the economy has folks watching their money closely. They want to go only to those events that they really feel are worthwhile and usually close proximity.
I decide which event to go to by how interested I am. So typically I’ll sometimes be willing to travel and spend money for an event like Pat Parelli, but I won’t travel for a dressage show. I’ll stop by one of the shows near by. Luckily I think we have a great choice of events, shows and clinicians coming through the Bend, OR area on a regular basis.
I would have to agree with Karen. Two years ago, the TWH shows were down in attendance by 60% after the gas rate hiked up. Further, people who used their horses were choosing not to use fuel to do events such as showing, clinics etc. THat followed by the economic crunch is making it more difficult to spend money as loosely as we used to.
Another shift I have seen as well, is there are a lot more people AFRAID to ride their horses. They are more content with their horses on a leadline as “a big puppy dog”, rather than a mount.
I have had a lot of clients recently who are preferring to find any excuse not to ride, which is a shift from ten years ago when people had horses to ride them. This is happening in young and old alike. I think there are a lot of people who do not understand the horse, dont have the experience to read the horse, so it is easier to just have it be a big pet or ornament.
I think due to the economy people are not going to clinics where they have to travel very far or pay a lot. A lot of people have also gotten rid of their horses because they couldn’t afford the hay. There have been a few “free” or very inexpensive clinics around the area that have been well attended. There is a gal in Redmond that put on a free clinic on round pen work with her mustang and she had a lot of people show up. There are still people out there that want to become better horseman, but just cant justify spending over $40 or $50 for a clinic. The Rolling M Ranch is affordable to use the trail course, even if you live in Prineville. I know they can’t be making any money, but just want to help people with their horses and make it available. I had foot surgery a couple of weeks ago, and can’t wait until I heal so I can take our horses to practice on the course. There are also a few small groups of horse people that have started meeting to ride and share knowledge and experience that doesn’t cost anything but the gas to get there.
I do feel also that it is the economy. There are still a lot of jobs being lost and gas is going up again. The shows and clinics need to be advertised where people can find them. This website is great. Now we need more people or clubs to post there events. If the clinics and events could keep there prices down if possible I think that would help with the turnout. The attendance has been down at most shows and clubs. I check for low cost shows and mileage before I attend. The bigger shows are going to be further apart just because of the fees. This website is doing a good job bring people and equine together already. Fresh ideas. Keep up the good work.
I agree with all that has been said, but I also believe that there are just SO many horse (and other) activities to do now days that people are spread out in many directions. People began being more choosey about what horse related activity they wanted to do even before the economy went south because of all the new riding disciplines that have come into the area in the last 10 years or so.
Also many are using the economy as the excuse they were looking for to get rid of their horses. There are even less riders on the trails than in years past.
Being involved in at least 3 areas of the horseshow world – western, English(Central Oregon Hunt/Jump)
and gaited events, I have noticed there seems to be LESS people attending show events per se and MORE activity in private clubs, trail events and small seminars. Finances appear to be the decisive factor in all of this.
Riders want to be involved with their horses, as usual, but entry fees and gas are more daunting than before, and of course, employment is a factor, too.
I agree there is a lack of event coordination in Central Oregon. I am working more myself, and on the times I could go compete in something, I have no way to check on the immediate options. I think a self-creating site (like Wikipedia, where everyone can post) would be good. Central Oregon Horse Journal lists events, but after the deadline, or it’s in print, no changes are available.
I agree with Therese, I do find a lack of DRIVE for people to GET ON their horses. This also effects our horse economy. I’m giving out bumper stickers for solidarity that say, “Support Your Sport, Spend $$ in the Equine Sector.” If you want one, email me at denisongaited@gmail.com and I’ll send you one free! We must ride and ride, and never subside!
I too have noticed less people at events. There are also fewer places to show and ride without insurance issues being a problem.
I do not have a show horse as such, so I choose not to show in fancy shows. I would probably show in open shows if I knew how to find out about them. Years ago, I wasn’t aware of where to go for information, but I am finding more and more locations as I involve myself in the horse world.
I also have “fear of falling off” issues and the few times that I have gone on trail rides with people I find their trail manners and the respect for others in the group can be a challenge for me and my horse. If I could find people with calm horses that I felt comfortable on the trail with that would feel comfortble with me I would be a reliable riding partner and as I grew more confident I might even be a joy to be around…
I think this site and the Rolling M ranch are terriffic places to start meeting helpful interested and interesting people that can help me get over my fear. I plan on several rides at the Rolling M this year, especially with the improved weather.
I know Oregon Trail Appaloosa Horse Club is putting on a Poker ride at Cow Camp on June 27th, 2009. It will be about an 8 mile loop ride at $5 per hand. $ split with the club for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place hands and lots of raffle prizes…every rider is to bring a raffle item, horse or farm/ranch related, also Oregon Trail Appaloosa Horse Club is having a Breed/Open show on August 28-30, 2009 at Rim Rock Riders Arena at Brasada in Powell Butte.
For entry forms go to http://www.otahc.org Hope to see ya there.
Our club recently changed its name from Oregon Halter Horse Association to Oregon Performance Horse Club since people thought we didn’t have performance classes. We held our first show this weekend and we had about 3 times as many more exhibitors as we had last year. Our shows are open to all breeds at a very affordable class fee ($4.99 adult members; $4.00 youth; and family discount)with rosettes for placements. Placements receive coupons to purchase items. We are offering outside competitive points for Arabians, Morgans, Paints, and Appaloosas. Our club has grown to over 50 members. Shows have to meet what your areas economy demands and give your exhibitors a friendly atmosphere where the exhibitors know they are valued by the club hosting the show.
I have seen it happening for the last year & all I can say are maybe poeple are not happy with some clubs, orginizations or the poeple holding the show, clinics, etc or they just can not afford the entry fees with the way things are right now.