There is much to celebrate this summer as we see the Covid restrictions lifted in New York and the horse show event calendar fill up with neat offerings.
The uncertainty of how many riders are keen to return to competition haunts every show organizer and has done for months, but based on the events ongoing it appears that just like the pent up demand for dining has restaurants busier than ever, show entries are overflowing the digital sign up software bin.
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| File Your Entries Early.. Jump To It! |
Whatever the discipline all tracks lead to a bumper year for entries and competitions need to add more rings, classes and dates to ensure they cash in on the demand.
A huge thorn in the sides of organizers is the one of lack of volunteers. Folks are simply so busy getting back to family vacations and gatherings, graduations and travel opportunities that signing on for arduous days as a volunteer are not high on their priority list.
Most riders are anxious to make up for lost time with their competition schedules and get their horses dancing in the ring. Perhaps you are one of them. The reality is you'd better get your foot in the stirrup early and get your entries in, because if you want to play you most certainly will have to pay more than ever for the experience. Event costs have surged since Covid, and the demand for venues and dates, vendors and volunteers have set a keen competition world alight of their own.
You don't need to have a degree in rocket science to have figured out this was coming when you think about it. Organizers claiming the climbing numbers of entries as 'inexplicable' are simply out of touch with what clinicians, coaches and competitors have been saying for the past 12 months, " We want in!"
Swinging into summer..
As a competitor if you know you are going to scratch a competition or class, be kind to your fellow equestrians and do it as early as possible. The waiting lists are long and the demand shows no sign of abating. We all want to help our event organizers map their course. Let's show up, sign up and sign out on schedule.
