Michigan folks - where did all the "C" shows go???

[Pennyhill]

Does anyone have the inside scoop? The calendar looks pretty sparse this year.
No "C" shows at K-Farms, only one at Windermere, and the show that was on the calendar for Stoney Ridge in December has disappeared as well. I see the wording in the rule book has changed, regarding canceling show dates, but I really don't remember how it read before.

[Gracious]

I think the powers that be dropped show dates in an effort to increase the amount of entries at each show. Many barns that had multiple dates were asked to drop a show or two. Too many show dates = too few entries per show.

We'll see how it pans out. I believe they did "hold" the dates that were dropped so when the economy picks up those shows can get put back on the calendar.

[ChafedToBits]

If you are looking for an alternative, please consider the Lake Effects horse shows. They are similar to the Cs and are well run.

You may have to drive a little farther (Lansing, Battle Creek, Grand Rapids, etc) but now that fuel is affordable again (hold thumbs that holds out until summer time), it might be worth considering.

http://www.windsongstableinc.com/html/lehs.htm

[Pennyhill]

unfortunately, I live so far east, I see Canada from my kitchen window! I'm not sure I can convince my people to travel shore-to-shore for a show, I wish I could!

[luckydog]

stoney ridge was sold. Some of the A shows were moved to waterloo hunt. Maybe check the detroit hunt club (at the state fair grounds). not sure if thats the name. good luck. hope that helps

[MIKES MCS]

Lake Effects are well run entry level shows or shows for the busy adult who enjoys knowing what they are getting.. all facilities are nice , good footing , good managentment REAL bathrooms LOL .. and no extra fees , it very simple and great if you have a baby or beginner to start! Many people travel 2 hours or more , The furthest show from Detroit would be about 3hours, the closest would be Toledo Ohio.. They are all very customer orientated and go out of thier way to be user friendly , They are not rated which is why no fees . and have nothing over 2'9" which is why it's a great place to put some mileage on your young ones.

[bighorsema]

I too love LEHS. I am a newbie and even though I just bought a barn, I wouldn't miss the LEHS. They are so kind to we adults just learning the h/j ropes and they are quite relaxed, yet still professionally run and organized!

[nlk]

wow I guess I should double check the MHJA calendar! Stoney Ridge was sold but they were still keeping the dates and trying to find other barns to host the dates.At the beginning of the season there was to listed

one at hunters run and one at willow brook with finals TBD. But that may have changed I have to look!

As far as the Detroit Equestrian Center they are holding USEF rated "B" and "A" shows so that's a no go for "c" riders Also I heard they canceled their show this weekend because their warm-up ring was covered in ice....yes it's inside.

That said if the schedule doesn't pick up has anyone thought to get together with a couple other barns and set up a "schooling" circuit for the summer?

While it's not rated, it could be more affordable, maybe one-day shows to not only get your 2'6" riders out but your W/T and W/T/C riders as well. There are little to no schooling shows available any more!

You could get five barns together, each host or sponsor one show, Keep track of the riders and at the end of the season have your own little banquet. It's a great way to help bring in a little extra business for your self and also allow the kids to continue to compete more, for less money, and with less pressure.

That said if anyone is interested I can help with running/ organizing....

[nlk]

so just checked MHJA there are still 9 shows listed for "C" starting in Nov. and not including Finals.

one most months and 2 in one or two months.

That said also quit a few were canceled last year due to poor turn out.

[chunter/jumper]

I would be interested in putting on a local show. We could also add a couple jumper classes since C shows dont offer them. I dont own a barn, but where I teach I can rent the barn out for a day and put on a show. With the economy I think it would be an affordable option for people.

[nlk]

I would be interested in putting on a local show. We could also add a couple jumper classes since C shows dont offer them. I dont own a barn, but where I teach I can rent the barn out for a day and put on a show. With the economy I think it would be an affordable option for people.

I think the Jumper classes are a great idea! A lot of other state circuits have classes like "puddle Jumpers" and what not.

You would have to be careful to not have so many classes that you're there till 12 midnight!

Where is this barn at? If you are interested I would love to talk. I also don't have my own barn but I bet we could get some of the other barns to join:D

We did something like this about 6 years back. and it turned out pretty decent. no banquet just tallied the points at the last shows and the division winners got huge ribbons. we did everything from Walk trots to 3' jumpers, with a mini classic thrown in.

[lrkrame2]

as far as the DEC show being cancelled: I board there and there is no ice problem. The reason it was cancelled is because exhibitors could not get to the show because of the cold, some could start their trucks, some were stuck... Its a heated barn- therefore no ice inside..

[nlk]

as far as the DEC show being cancelled: I board there and there is no ice problem. The reason it was cancelled is because exhibitors could not get to the show because of the cold, some could start their trucks, some were stuck... Its a heated barn- therefore no ice inside..

Interesting to know. I had several phone calls telling me it was canceled and they had ice in the warm up (I was not exhibiting) Do they keep the heat on then? I was told that they didn't have the heat on being energy efficient on the ring froze, which I found interesting to think he would have the heat off with ice in the ring knowing they had a show coming.

I for one would have canceled myself because the showbarn would have been freezing!

[sa11yb]

"There are little to no schooling shows available any more!"

Have you ever bothered to look at any of the prize lists for the C circuit shows? Win-a-Gin offers many schooling classes at their C shows and so do a few other barns. MHJA also added a beginner hunter championship to their year end awards.

[lrkrame2]

Interesting to know. I had several phone calls telling me it was canceled and they had ice in the warm up (I was not exhibiting) Do they keep the heat on then? I was told that they didn't have the heat on being energy efficient on the ring froze, which I found interesting to think he would have the heat off with ice in the ring knowing they had a show coming.

I for one would have canceled myself because the showbarn would have been freezing!

nope! rode on Sunday and the rings were fine!! we keep the heat off until shows so you are correct. but if there were issues as far as icing you would bet they would be turned on until the issue was corrected!

[nlk]

nope! rode on Sunday and the rings were fine!! we keep the heat off until shows so you are correct. but if there were issues as far as icing you would bet they would be turned on until the issue was corrected!

Interesting to know I was really wondering but thanks for clearing it up!

[nlk]

"There are little to no schooling shows available any more!"

Have you ever bothered to look at any of the prize lists for the C circuit shows? Win-a-Gin offers many schooling classes at their C shows and so do a few other barns. MHJA also added a beginner hunter championship to their year end awards.

Yes a few "C" shows have added extra class Windermere is one we use to go to because of that. It is also nice to have a beginner hunter. However those riders are still going for the whole weekend, the classes are just as expensive (for beginner not schooling) for the beginner hunter as it is for intermediate. So you have the same class fees, same trainer fees as the girls showing rated.

What I was referring to is a one day type show that will have lower class fees as well as everything from Walk Trot to 3'. It's lower key, no formal attire required.

This is a great way to introduce showing to younger or inexperienced riders or a greenie to showing with out the pressure. It's also a much less expensive way to find out if your horse or kid is even going to like showing!

There use to be a barn by use that did about three or four a year and we would get 12-14 kids going, considering my students usually didn't have their own horses they paid horse fees, trainer fees, split trailering, and class fees. Each student ended up with a $150-$200 bill compared to $500-$800 for a "C" weekend it makes it much more inviting, plus if they don't have formal attire they don't have to go get it until they decide this is really what they want to do.

I don't know many trainer who are going to cut their fees in half for schooling or beginner students at these shows. They still have to put the same amount of time and energy, if not more, into a beginner or schooling kid.

[JRHunter2006]

nope! rode on Sunday and the rings were fine!! we keep the heat off until shows so you are correct. but if there were issues as far as icing you would bet they would be turned on until the issue was corrected!

It was sure freezing in there at the IHSA show the weekend before!! There was no heat and it was sooo cold! Christopher said the meter was broken or something... Did he get that fixed? I want to take my greenie there for some shows for some experience but not if it is going to be as cold as it was that weekend! BRRR!

[slp]

It was like sitting in a giant icebox during the IHSA show. :eek: Fortunately it was only a one day show. I can't imagine that they could turn the heat on and off in that place at will, for as big as the facility is and with metal walls and such. Hopefully the "broken meter" got fixed because as much as we would like to take our horse to a show there, we aren't willing to drive all the way across the state to freeze for three days.

[&WithStyle]

HR took on a few of SR's shows, and I know HR is also hosting a few "C"s. =]

[&WithStyle]

"There are little to no schooling shows available any more!"

Have you ever bothered to look at any of the prize lists for the C circuit shows? Win-a-Gin offers many schooling classes at their C shows and so do a few other barns. MHJA also added a beginner hunter championship to their year end awards.

Yepp, and HR is hosting a schooling show Feb. 22nd, with Free Stabling for All!