Has the number of amateurs showing at regional/local recog dressage shows dropped?

[slc2]

We've been to a couple shows in the last few weeks - does anyone else think that the number of amateurs have dropped?

It seems to me that there are proportionately more professionals in recognized dressage shows - I'm talking about the regional/local recognized dressage shows. I expected numbers to be down overall due to the economy, but also now think I see a lower % of amateur entries. But this is only from seeing a few shows. Does anyone else have any numbers or year over year comparisons from the shows they run?

[TheHorseProblem]

I have noticed that too, just as an observer, not someone who runs shows. Cornerstone organizes almost all the dressage shows around here (Southern Cal) so it would be interesting to hear from them.

I showed at Flintridge two years ago and there were only two or three entrants in my training level/first level amateur classes, and the numbers were similar this year (we got rained out last year.) Still, I wonder where all the amateurs are at the lower levels.

[slc2]

My theory is that the professionals have to continue showing, but for many amateurs, it is at least somewhat optional. The professional has to show the horses he has for sale to establish or increase their sale price, and the horses sent to him for training and showing from his more, ah, recession proof customers, still have to be shown.

I have the idea that show attendance is down across all dressage divisions, but more for AA's.