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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 356
 
| I'm debating if I have the pole bending for our series set up appropriately. We're 1/3 of the way through the series, so for this summer it will be staying the same - but may make some changes next year.
In 2015, we ran poles as a 3D event, full second splits. We averaged 7-8 entries per night, and the 2D was usually very thin. There were 2 people who placed in the 2D ever during all 5 runs.
2016, I changed it to a 2D event, still full second splits. Entries doubled to averaging 15-16 per night.
We stayed with the 2D, full second split format this year. Entries are staying similar to 2016 or a smidge higher. Our 1D is pretty light - we have a couple girls who can smoke a pole run which is awesome! My concern is that the ones who are always near the bottom of the 2D are going to decide it's not worth their time (last event, usually runs from 10-10:30) and $15 to enter.
Would love any input/suggestions. Like I said, I don't feel it would be right to change it since we're part way through the series, but I'm looking ahead to next year. |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
 
| What kind of numbers do other pole bending events in your area pull? Are they in conjunction with other events?
I enjoy running poles, but I can't say I would drive very far to just run poles the way I would to run barrels.
That being said a local producer has started running a pole bending class on the Saturday of some of her 3 days races - it gets pretty okay numbers since a lot of them are there anyway.
I think if you have a really thriving youth rodeo scene it makes it easier - there just aren't a lot of opportunities for adults to run poles, at least around here, to make me really want to focus a ton of time on them as an adult, unless it's on a horse who is a good youth rodeo sale prospect. |
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 Born not Made
Posts: 2930
Location: North Dakota | Hey there! 
Personally, I would run poles each time because I hardly get the opportunity so it's fun for me to do it in a competition setting and be able to run both horses. But that's just me. I wouldn't care how the D's are set up because let's face it - I don't do this for the money! haha
Tough to say on the format. Maybe ask the girls in your area what they prefer? It's nice when you can make more D levels, but like you said, then you might miss a lot of people in the 2D if a couple have a smoking pole run and everyone else has an "okay" run.
Depending on the what the times normally end up being run .... what about a 2 second split instead of 1 second? Just a thought. Then that would make your 2D larger if you kept a 3D format.
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 Popped
Posts: 20421
Location: LuluLand~along I64 Indiana | i would check to see if there was any NPBA riders in your area. it might be a draw for folks looking for points to to come run at your event. |
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| Honestly, just ask them. If you have good office help, maybe ask them to pay attention to the people entering poles and ask them what their opinion is on the format. If you have a Facebook page or Facebook Event, I would make a post on there. |
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 Ima Cool Kid
Posts: 3496
Location: TN | I love Poles and go places that have them before barrels. some things that are important to me
1) before barrels
2) under $20 or I can only run 1
3) cheap entry will get more folks willing to try if have an "iffy" horse
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12837
| We have a barrel racing association that runs 4D poles and has for years. They use one second splits. That way horses that are just starting out have a chance. We have several 19 second pole horses here so you have to have more than a decent horse to get in the 4D. |
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Expert
Posts: 1586
Location: west of East Texas | I am an adult that loves poles. I have two daughters that are usually running them also. Depending on the horse, we run 21-22's. Entries are pretty light around here also. I'm not an event producer but I've always thought that if the splits were bigger, more people might participate. It's the same principle that created the D's in the first place. Make it to where it's a contest for those that run 24. and 25. There are a bunch of those peeps that just won't enter on the slim chance that the 20 second pole bender didn't show up.
?If you are talking about a local race where most everybody knows everybody - fun is the important thing. I think it would be fun to have splits of 1 and 2. (example 21.0 - 22.0 - 24.0). You have the benefit of seeing your entries for the last two years so you can spread the splits out and boost the 2D while encouraging more participation from those not wanting to waste their money to go run a 24. There are a lot more 24s sitting in the parking lot wishing they could play. |
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 Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | In my opinion, there just aren't a ton of girls running poles. Unless you have a big youth crowd. Even then, only the kids that do play days, or kids that do rodeos are going to run poles every time.
To me, as an observer, the entries are pretty much the same whether it's a jackpot, 3D, half, full, or 2 second splits.
I would just ask your members what they think...what would get more ppl to enter?? Maybe do an 18&under and 19&over...I hate to say make it a 4-5D if entries are already low. That just splits the $$$ up even more. Ppl want to win their entry back at least. Maybe task your pole benders to try and find a few sponsors for the season?? $100 added would go a decent ways for a 2D and draw a few more entries. Maybe even new members. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 356
| Thank you everyone!
We usually do a survey at our finals, so maybe that is a question I'll add in there this year. I really like the idea of changing the splits if we do a 3D to 1 and 2 seconds. I think that would solve the issue of few people landing in the 2D. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1367
Location: mi | The races around us, the poles entries are normally about 40% of the barrel entries. So if we run 100 barrel racers, we run about 40 pole benders.
Anyways we run poles first. and we have a 2D that is a 2 second split.
I think you are on track with the survey idea as its going to change with every area. My guess is that running it last is hurting your entires as much as the splits and the d's. |
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