Jumpers in MA and CT, where are you?
Hi all,
Some of you may know that I am the show manager for Mount Holyoke. I have been running jumper shows for five years now. The first two years were out of sight attendance wise. We would have 30 - 40 entrants per division. Four divisions with three classes each = 12 classes for the day and we would start at 9 a.m. and finish around 6 p.m. Big A show barns would come as well as Pony Clubbers, eventers, backyard folks, local lesson stables etc.
Then year three, we had some setbacks. The economy was just starting to turn, we lost a big sponsor, I was on maternity leave, attendance was going down and we took a hard look at what we could do to salvage these fun shows. So, we lowered entry fees, changed some height divisions, played around with the schedule, reduced advertising (our single highest expense) and yes...took out prize money.
Then last year, we really asked our competitors what they would like to see for changes (if any) to come to our shows. We got some great feedback...add some prize money back, put in a lower division, make all classes single round to keep the day moving (the best suggestion ever!), have some shows on Sundays and some on Saturdays. So, we did. We have what I feel is the best class list we've ever had. We put in a stakes class in each division. Still give out great prizes/awards. Got some great sponsors who give us gifts in kind as well as $$$ to help defray running costs and still we are losing our shirts with each one.
This past Sunday, we had a well publicized show...sent out over 300 postcards with the prize list printed right on them. I had 6 in the first division, 8 in the second (2'6" - usually a HUGE division) 6 in the third division and 5 in the last division. Ouch.
I realize the economy has slowed many down from hitting so many shows but ours are HIGHLY reasonable, with excellent footing, jumps, courses, prizes etc. The biggest factor that I can think of that we have done in the past few years is to cut out advertising in Yankee Pedlar, Steed Read and Equine Journal. We DO have the shows listed in all those calendar listings as well as Equinesite and USEA Area I. Tell me...do you read those aforementioned horse journals and pay attention to show ads? Would that make a difference? The cost of advertising is very, very high and I was positive we could cut that from our show budget but now I am not so sure.
Interestingly enough, most of our competitors of late are coming from New York, NH and VT with some from deep in the middle of CT. Where are you Mass??? Where are you CT border (Granby, Windsor, Enfield???). What can we do to convince you to come??? Thanks for reading!
Some of you may know that I am the show manager for Mount Holyoke. I have been running jumper shows for five years now. The first two years were out of sight attendance wise. We would have 30 - 40 entrants per division. Four divisions with three classes each = 12 classes for the day and we would start at 9 a.m. and finish around 6 p.m. Big A show barns would come as well as Pony Clubbers, eventers, backyard folks, local lesson stables etc.
Then year three, we had some setbacks. The economy was just starting to turn, we lost a big sponsor, I was on maternity leave, attendance was going down and we took a hard look at what we could do to salvage these fun shows. So, we lowered entry fees, changed some height divisions, played around with the schedule, reduced advertising (our single highest expense) and yes...took out prize money.
Then last year, we really asked our competitors what they would like to see for changes (if any) to come to our shows. We got some great feedback...add some prize money back, put in a lower division, make all classes single round to keep the day moving (the best suggestion ever!), have some shows on Sundays and some on Saturdays. So, we did. We have what I feel is the best class list we've ever had. We put in a stakes class in each division. Still give out great prizes/awards. Got some great sponsors who give us gifts in kind as well as $$$ to help defray running costs and still we are losing our shirts with each one.
This past Sunday, we had a well publicized show...sent out over 300 postcards with the prize list printed right on them. I had 6 in the first division, 8 in the second (2'6" - usually a HUGE division) 6 in the third division and 5 in the last division. Ouch.
I realize the economy has slowed many down from hitting so many shows but ours are HIGHLY reasonable, with excellent footing, jumps, courses, prizes etc. The biggest factor that I can think of that we have done in the past few years is to cut out advertising in Yankee Pedlar, Steed Read and Equine Journal. We DO have the shows listed in all those calendar listings as well as Equinesite and USEA Area I. Tell me...do you read those aforementioned horse journals and pay attention to show ads? Would that make a difference? The cost of advertising is very, very high and I was positive we could cut that from our show budget but now I am not so sure.
Interestingly enough, most of our competitors of late are coming from New York, NH and VT with some from deep in the middle of CT. Where are you Mass??? Where are you CT border (Granby, Windsor, Enfield???). What can we do to convince you to come??? Thanks for reading!
I know a girl at my barn who does jumpers and she prefers to go to shows with prize money (when given a choice). She didn't even know about your shows, and she's ALWAYS looking for good jumper shows. She knows now because I told her about them a couple weeks ago, so you may have one more "central CT" rider next time. You could also partner with local equine organizations/rescues to have a benefit class or something like that. It would be free advertising to their members/supporters if you were able to come up with an idea. Good luck!
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