By Kasi Hensley
FRANKLIN, Tenn. – The Show Manager’s Meeting was held Friday, December 4, 2009 at the Cool Springs Marriott. Rachel Reed of SHOW began the meeting by asking the show managers to introduce themselves as well as the horse show that they represent. Reed then displayed a power point presentation to help discuss the new structure and how it affects a horse show.
The first item explained was “What Does Show Management Pay.” Show Management will pay no affiliation fee. In 2009 the show paid up to $50/day. Show Management will pay no inspection fee for any horse that goes through inspection. In 2009 they paid up to $10/inspection for every entry. Show Management will pay DQP fees and expenses (mileage and hotel if needed). Each DQP will earn $175 per session.
To keep expenses reasonable Dr. Mullins said, “Our goal is to check the average of a shows entries for the past 5 years and send 1 DQP per 75 horses.” This process would be to try to make sure the proper amount of DQPs would be on hand to make the inspection process run efficiently and smoothly.
The power point presentation displayed examples of how the new fee structure affected a few of 2009’s fall shows. There are three separate examples below:
1.) Franklin County Horse Show – Winchester, TN
Date – November 14, 2009
Old Fee Structure
262 Entries * $10 = $2,620 + $50 affiliation fee = $2,670
New Fee Structure
DQP Session Fees and Expenses = $783.60
Savings - $1886.40 - - 71% Savings
2.) Delta Fall Classic – Tunica, MS
Date – November 12-14, 2009
Old Fee Structure
560 Entries * $10 = $5,600 + $50 affiliation fee = $5,650
New Fee Structure
DQP Session Fees and Expenses = $3,853.55
Savings - $1,796.45 - - 32% Savings
3.) Southern Championships - Perry, GA
Date – November 19-21, 2009
Old Fee Structure
251 Entries * $10 = $2,510 + $50 affiliation fee = $2,560
New Fee Structure
DQP Session Fees and Expenses = $2,205.58
Savings - $354.42 – 14%
The discussion then moved onto the SHOW horse card. All walking horse entries at SHOW affiliated horse shows will be required to have a SHOW horse card. There are two separate options for showing a walking horse.
1 Year Horse Card - $100 (unlimited # of shows per year)
1 Day Horse Card - $25 (unlimited # of purchases)
Non-walking horse breeds participating at walking horse shows that require inspection will be charged the $10 inspection fee per the 2009 and previous fee structure (racking horses, mules, etc.)
Representatives from multi-day shows were concerned about the new fee structure. “We are trying to come up with the best process available and there is a price for it,” said Frank Eichler.
Nancy Edwards who was on hand representing the Wartrace Horse Show said, “This puts $2,000 back in Wartrace Horse Show’s pocket, we’re not complaining.”
The topic of discussion then moved along to judging. Frank Eichler asked a few of the show managers how they select their judges. “The goal is to eliminate the corrupt, dishonest judge,” said Eichler. “We’re just trying to get the best judges for everybody,” he continued. Eichler concluded by saying, “This is not a one year problem, but a two-three year solution process.”
Jeffrey Howard with the Walking Horse Report then gave an update regarding the Riders’ Cup Program. “Its (Riders’ Cup) had a lot of success this year, but not quite as much as last year.” Howard reported that Riders’ Cup would be presenting a total of $42,000 to the trainers who participated in the program this season. That total is down 33% from the monies given in 2008.
There will be new guidelines presented to the Riders’ Cup Committee for the Riders’ Cup Program for the 2010 show season. First, a trainer does not have pay to be in the program. If the trainer shows in a Riders’ Cup class, he qualifies.
Secondly, a horse show only has to pay $100 to have Riders’ Cup classes and is not required to have additional prize money for those classes. The show is required, however, to add an additional $10 to their entry fee for those classes. Also, the show can be of any affiliation to have Riders’ Cup classes. All the show managers were appreciative for the changes being made in the program.
Finally the room returned its interest to Dr. Mullins who said, “The whole idea is to help you guys.” The group seemed to be in agreement and the meeting was adjourned.