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 Member
Posts: 48
| I'm putting together a six week series and have already fundraised 8 buckles, $1000, and a trophy spurs. My main concern is ground and a very professional type of race; however I'm at a loss as to prizes. I'd like to offer really great prizes but have no clue where to start. What have you won that has really just stuck with you?? And is it better to only pay three or four deep and pay more or stretch it a little thinner and pay five or six?
Edited by TerRNeh 2015-02-04 3:28 PM
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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
  
Location: Texas | I would pay it so that your last hole, whatever it is, still at least gets their entry fees back. If you spread it so thin that you can't even win what you paid to enter... then I think it's too thin.
I like back on track products. I've won them a lot.. have three sheets, two sets of leg wraps. they get used a lot.
I like over and unders.. the nice beaded ones. I lost my last one :(
tack sets are good but not the cheap ones. I would rather have a smaller item thats better quality, like a nice beaded halter or bronc halter, than a headstall and breast collar I absolutely never will use because it's poorly made. |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | Sounds like you have a good start on money and prizes! Maybe you could add some of those tack bags (think professionals choice or classic equine) or a nice hay bag (the ones from Classic equine are NICE) as awards. They're obviously not as expensive or as nice to give out as BOT products, but I don't think they'd go to waste!!
I'd also like to at least win back my entry fee, but I always think something is better than nothing!
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 Expert
Posts: 1857
| When you determine your pay back are you going to base it off of how many entries? More entries more spots paid? That's what we use to determine how many places. As far as prizes, I personally like more added money than lots of awards at the end of the series. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 356
| I think it is the BBR that has a spreadsheet set up with guidelines for how many holes to pay based on the number of entries. I do agree that the last hole paid should at least win their entry fee back. |
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Member
Posts: 48
| have any of you won a prize that has just changed your life?? lol anything that maybe you wouldn't normally have bought for yourself but won and its awesome?
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1162
Location: White Mountains of AZ | I personally like money, buckles and saddles. Yes other things are nice, but if I had the money, I could just go buy what I want/need and maybe even if a certain color, vs a color that I'm not crazy about or a prize I wouldn't love |
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Veteran
Posts: 287
| I agree with the Back on Track prizes, I have purchased some and won some, nice quality saddle pads are good prizes to and good quality tack, like breast collars and headstalls. I would love to win any of that stuff:) |
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 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | There's really no way to pick something you know EVERYONE will love. I personally am so excited to win ANYTHING that I treasure it LOL. Even if it's a hoof pick, I'm just happy to win something! Other people have no use for that stuff, so don't think twice about throwing it away. I personally love belt buckles, but I know people that win so many of them that it gets old. Must be nice to have that problem!
I agree with the others that it's better to have high-quality small stuff, than low-quality big stuff. Only give tack if it's high quality. I really like the idea of Back on Track stuff too. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 356
| Another idea...if there will be a photographer at the series, maybe certificates for photos? I don't know anyone who doesn't like pictures! And nice frames, like wood ones with the series name and their placing laser etched? |
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Veteran
Posts: 278
Location: Whitney, NE | I like to win $$$ first, and if prizes are in the mix, things that are useful but may wear out, lol. Buckets, blankets, tack, hay bags, or more expensive items that are a hardship to buy (softrides, magnets, BOT, pop ups, etc). I love it when I win useful things that I don't have to go buy or replace myself! I'm not as much for buckles because they just sit on a shelf or get tucked away. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 477
Location: Lost in the swamps | I won BOT products and a 5 star saddle pad last year! Things I wouldn't normally be able to spend on at the drop of a hat! Boy was I ever excited! |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | Gunner11 - 2015-02-04 3:52 PM There's really no way to pick something you know EVERYONE will love. I personally am so excited to win ANYTHING that I treasure it LOL. Even if it's a hoof pick, I'm just happy to win something! Other people have no use for that stuff, so don't think twice about throwing it away. I personally love belt buckles, but I know people that win so many of them that it gets old. Must be nice to have that problem! I agree with the others that it's better to have high-quality small stuff, than low-quality big stuff. Only give tack if it's high quality. I really like the idea of Back on Track stuff too.
Same here! I don't win anything, but if I win a check or money or something, I save a picture of the check or the envelope I got it in because I actually won something, LOL. |
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 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| k.maddocks24 - 2015-02-04 5:03 PM
Another idea...if there will be a photographer at the series, maybe certificates for photos? I don't know anyone who doesn't like pictures! And nice frames, like wood ones with the series name and their placing laser etched?
This. Is. The. Coolest. Idea. EVER!!!!
Producers, please take notes! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 356
| classicpotatochip - 2015-02-04 10:09 PM
k.maddocks24 - 2015-02-04 5:03 PM
Another idea...if there will be a photographer at the series, maybe certificates for photos? I don't know anyone who doesn't like pictures! And nice frames, like wood ones with the series name and their placing laser etched?
This. Is. The. Coolest. Idea. EVER!!!!
Producers, please take notes!
Thanks! I know I LOVE getting pictures from barrel races, and it would be really special to have a frame to remember when and where someday! We have a laser etching place here that does gorgeous work on wood, but I've also seen some really neat metal frames - may have been done with a plasma cutter? |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| k.maddocks24 - 2015-02-05 8:46 AM
classicpotatochip - 2015-02-04 10:09 PM
k.maddocks24 - 2015-02-04 5:03 PM
Another idea...if there will be a photographer at the series, maybe certificates for photos? I don't know anyone who doesn't like pictures! And nice frames, like wood ones with the series name and their placing laser etched?
This. Is. The. Coolest. Idea. EVER!!!!
Producers, please take notes!
Thanks! I know I LOVE getting pictures from barrel races, and it would be really special to have a frame to remember when and where someday! We have a laser etching place here that does gorgeous work on wood, but I've also seen some really neat metal frames - may have been done with a plasma cutter?
I agree, best prize mentioned, and I would never have thought about it !  |
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 Veteran
Posts: 232
Location: Winging It in KY | classicpotatochip - 2015-02-04 11:09 PM k.maddocks24 - 2015-02-04 5:03 PM Another idea...if there will be a photographer at the series, maybe certificates for photos? I don't know anyone who doesn't like pictures! And nice frames, like wood ones with the series name and their placing laser etched? This. Is. The. Coolest. Idea. EVER!!!! Producers, please take notes!
This^^^^^ Really cool! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 915
Location: SE KS | cuckleburr - 2015-02-05 8:55 AM
classicpotatochip - 2015-02-04 11:09 PM k.maddocks24 - 2015-02-04 5:03 PM Another idea...if there will be a photographer at the series, maybe certificates for photos? I don't know anyone who doesn't like pictures! And nice frames, like wood ones with the series name and their placing laser etched? This. Is. The. Coolest. Idea. EVER!!!! Producers, please take notes!
Yes, this is good! I won a buckle at a barrel race, but the pictures I bought of my run at said race
were really good & the photographer had several to choose from. I bought 8 or 9 pictures.
So, yes this is a really cool idea!!! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 823
Location: East Texas | I do like the photographer gift card idea. Is this an adult, youth, or both kind of event? That will come into play with the prizes you can give out. |
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Member
Posts: 48
| Yes it's open. Youth 16 and under, and pewee 8 and under. Also the peewee contestants cannot enter any other class. The youth may enter the open but times must be rolled. |
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| You will get more entries if you pay out more money. I hate prizes I hate the things they pick out its cheap usually and I take a loss selling something they paid for which was brand new but its got some custom trophy thing on it decreasing its value.
Guess i sound mean but I'm realistic. I don't come from money and I don't have a big money paying job. My horses must earn their keep. So I'd always rather have large cash payouts. |
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 Unknown Drip
Posts: 5624
Location: Back in MT BABY!!! | I'd keep the money so the person last place in the lowest "D" gets their entry fee back.
PeeWee's I usually give them a bag/bucket of goodies...horse treats, coloring books, crayons, horse or hair brush, maybe a healthy snack and candy/gum etc. You can get a lot of this stuff at a dollar store and keep the total under $10 for each make it boy/girl and they love it!
Youth stuff that have gone over very well in the past...Pillows with Western or Kid type material for Pillow cases with the association embroidered on them...they love these and they can be fairly inexpensive. Another fun idea are those small photo books. I think they hold 4x6 pictures in a single plastic sleeve. (not sure what these are called) Maybe get some parents to gether and take random candid shots of the kids with their horses to document the season and give them as awards. |
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Unknown Drip
Posts: 5624
Location: Back in MT BABY!!! | astreakinchic - 2015-02-05 12:36 PM You will get more entries if you pay out more money. I hate prizes I hate the things they pick out its cheap usually and I take a loss selling something they paid for which was brand new but its got some custom trophy thing on it decreasing its value. Guess i sound mean but I'm realistic. I don't come from money and I don't have a big money paying job. My horses must earn their keep. So I'd always rather have large cash payouts.
Going with this train of thought...you could always keep high money in the open and just do awards in the kid classes. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 747
| If you're going to do any sort of coats, I would suggest you know who is going to win them ahead of time so you can order the correct sizes. I won a coat at a series last year that was a two sizes to small... |
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Member
Posts: 48
| You guys keep talking about money and I understand this needs to pay out and I want it to! I'm doing 90% payout. At my regular races with only 35 girls showing up will payout $1,102.5. My finals, $500 added per day, will payout $1,602.50 a day! That's with only 35 girls. I'm thinking to have a few more then that as that's less then 25% of the fb members to the group. That would be a total payout of $7,615 in five weeks! That's not bad. I'm just looking for some good prizes to go with. I'm offering 90% payout to have the big money you are all talking about. But I'd like decent prizes too. Or at least useful ones.
Edited by TerRNeh 2015-02-05 8:53 PM
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| One of my favorite year end prizes was a bucket filled with everyday horse stuff- hoof pick, curry comb, brush, cowboy magic sets glee and Mrs. Pastures cookies. All of these things I misplace on a regular basis! I also love trophy halters. I hated when they gave feed - it was never what I fed. |
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | I would be concerned that the prizes would be worth more than the buckles, but, I might misunderstand that the buckles will be for the division winner and the prizes for the 2nd or 3rd place......buckles are so reasonable now and the prizes can be so expensive, especially if you're talking bot stuff or soft rides. I've won 707 certificates, jackets (which mine was too small also) vests, a breast collar that is pretty cool. I wouldn't mind feed, at my place we are not too fussy :) I've won trophy stirrups, which are OK but they are straight aluminium and I don't use them. I wish I could help come up with something.....since we are planning to come! Very exciting. I'm also guessing you will be getting more than 35 for each race-be prepared, I've heard of a lot of people headed your way in May! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 356
| Burn n' Turn - 2015-02-05 8:28 PM
If you're going to do any sort of coats, I would suggest you know who is going to win them ahead of time so you can order the correct sizes. I won a coat at a series last year that was a two sizes to small...
^^This....I do love getting a nice jacket or vest as an award, but if you go that route have certificates so the winners can pick their sizes! Then they can also get their names embroidered on them, or choose the color they prefer if there's a color choice. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 356
| Another idea if you're planning to do the series again next year...at the end of it, ask the participants what THEY thought of the prizes! |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | I love the picture frame idea.... I would love to have that in my office! I won so many jackets/pull overs when I was in 4-H and showing calves. They were always great.... but I outgrew all them! haha! I would love to have a vest as I think they're somewhat unique and I don't see alot of people around here wearing them, but I would wear one out! |
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Unknown Drip
Posts: 5624
Location: Back in MT BABY!!! | LMS - 2015-02-06 7:46 AM I would be concerned that the prizes would be worth more than the buckles, but, I might misunderstand that the buckles will be for the division winner and the prizes for the 2nd or 3rd place......buckles are so reasonable now and the prizes can be so expensive, especially if you're talking bot stuff or soft rides. I've won 707 certificates, jackets (which mine was too small also) vests, a breast collar that is pretty cool. I wouldn't mind feed, at my place we are not too fussy :) I've won trophy stirrups, which are OK but they are straight aluminium and I don't use them. I wish I could help come up with something.....since we are planning to come! Very exciting. I'm also guessing you will be getting more than 35 for each race-be prepared, I've heard of a lot of people headed your way in May!
I think this is very important to keep in mind. You need to make sure that 1st place prize has a higher dollar value than the following places. If you want you give buckles for first just make sure to add something else to it. Buckle + Back on Track! 
I have also seen places give a $1,000 saddle for first and then a $150 buckle for 2nd. I think the awards value should be more comparable/consistant. When I have done prizes in the past I usually approach it like a payoff....3 places...50%, 30%, 20% of the prize money pool. 4places 40,30,20,10 and so on. |
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 ND Sweetheart
Posts: 3471
Location: In My Own Dream Land | babiemox - 2015-02-06 12:28 PM LMS - 2015-02-06 7:46 AM I would be concerned that the prizes would be worth more than the buckles, but, I might misunderstand that the buckles will be for the division winner and the prizes for the 2nd or 3rd place......buckles are so reasonable now and the prizes can be so expensive, especially if you're talking bot stuff or soft rides. I've won 707 certificates, jackets (which mine was too small also) vests, a breast collar that is pretty cool. I wouldn't mind feed, at my place we are not too fussy :) I've won trophy stirrups, which are OK but they are straight aluminium and I don't use them. I wish I could help come up with something.....since we are planning to come! Very exciting. I'm also guessing you will be getting more than 35 for each race-be prepared, I've heard of a lot of people headed your way in May! I think this is very important to keep in mind. You need to make sure that 1st place prize has a higher dollar value than the following places. If you want you give buckles for first just make sure to add something else to it. Buckle + Back on Track!
I have also seen places give a $1,000 saddle for first and then a $150 buckle for 2nd. I think the awards value should be more comparable/consistant. When I have done prizes in the past I usually approach it like a payoff....3 places...50%, 30%, 20% of the prize money pool. 4places 40,30,20,10 and so on.
Love this! I love winning useful stuff, but as some others mentioned, quality and not the cheap stuff.
I plan on attending this series and am very thrilled to have something to go that isn't 3 1/2 to 4 hours away. |
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Member
Posts: 48
| I get your 1d point but up north girls want buckles. I've picked some beautiful ones out and they are stellar! At my finals on Sunday im also having a short round where the fastest 15 horses come back for a short go. I guy has committed but not given me the money for it yet so I'm not advertising yet but I know I'll get it off him. But anyways....lol I'm going to get a mad cow type Spurs and bit that say fastest horse! I'm catering to these girls! I want them to feel valued! |
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Prizes and payout!! What is more important?