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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
  
| Just Let Me Run - 2016-12-14 1:27 PM I look for quality ground, an office that is easy to work with, decent warm up space, and a show that runs efficiently. In that order.
This plus the ability to pre enter and pay the day of the race. | |
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 Straight Shooter
Posts: 5725
Location: SW North Dakota | Thank you for caring!! Here are my OPINIONS...
Ground... crucial/dealbreaker
Exhibitions... plenty of time, run efficiently (we've had good luck pre- selling 15 in a 20 minute block, leaving 3-5 open in each slot for "day-of" people. That way people know what time they need to be there for their time block/exhibition)
Warm up area... ample space, decent ground. As long as I have the space, even grass is good with me!
Concessions
Fees/Office .... please suggest amount- BBR has a good fee/payout schedule, I use this for even the little races. for no added money, I don't think fees should be higher than $25-$30 with only a $5 office fee. 80% payout. I agree that FRIENDLY staff is SOOO important and welcome- sets the mood for the whole race.
Fees Late- none if there is no added money. Not more than $10/RIDER per, IMO. This is just a fee for the hassle of paperwork on show day. If it's not much hassle, DON'T charge much!
Entry Fee- Use a % of added money to determine fee. I think Payout % is equally important- or more. What % of my fees to I have a chance to win back?
Parking- VERY important. There are some races that have great qualities that I might not enter because the parking sucks... especially if it's a 2 day deal where I want to take my LQ.
Efficiency of Staff- SUCH an important peice of the puzzle. If your staff doesn't want to be there, why would the contestants. This is your first impression most of the time. If it's awesome, usually people have a good time and want to come back.
Courteousness of Staff- see above. Pick people who WANT to be there. Keep the crabby staff away from people!
Prizes.... preferred- Any, as long as they are QUALITY for the budget.
Entertainment- don't we make our own? I'd trade a FAST paced barrel race over a dog and pony show anyday. Get us in and out quick! :)
Videography/Photography- A good photographer is fun, but doesn't make or break my decision on whether to go to the race or not. Don't hire a crazy one!
Divisional race, 4D or 5D- Depends on entries. Money gets too watered down with a low-number 5D. Figure it out so the smallest check still wins their EF back (or close)
Payback %- 75% at the lowest (just my opinion)
Drag after every 5........ depends on the ground. Usually yes, but some arenas stay consistant after 7 or 8 runs and makes the barrel race go WAY faster.
Bathrooms- No biggie. I can 1,2 or 3 in my trailer in an emergency.
Other events, poles, quads, etc
Kid friendly playgrounds away from horse areas- a kid corral would have been a big bonus when my kids were little, but again, not a make-or-break deal.
Seating- Not a biggie to me
Announcers- money well spent. High energy, list the draw OFTEN to keep the race moving along fast. Another thing that leaves a lasting impression on the overall experience of the event.
Music or Not- ABSOLUTELY! High energy at the right volume. You'll see people dancing in the stands!
Rules- BBR has a good set of rules. Make sure they are followed exactly the same for everyone!
Hookups- nice, but not a dealbreaker
Covered or outside pen- covered is good as long as it's great ground, dust is under control and big enough. I love outside, but it makes scheduling harder.
Vendors- fun, but not needed.
How you would prefer to receive info, text, FB or both or Text is great, but more labor intensive. FB works as long as there is service and everyone knows where to find the latest updates! | |
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 Scooters Savior
Location: "Si Fi" Ville | I appreciate you guys so much! This is very very important to us! We want to provide a top notch experience and the board wants to see what is important to you and matters most and adjust their priorities according to what you desire. | |
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 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| skye - 2016-12-14 3:14 PM
I'll agree with what has been said. However, ground is very important that the ground crew know how to make and keep that ground safe. I too like ground that is fast. It just seems the horse can show more ability and fun to clock. The ground crew need to know that ground and keep it consistant through out the race. Also, a drag is a drag when the tractors have the arena to groom, a set is the group of 5 riders runing now. Don't make it confusing! 
Depends what region you're from I guess. I've never heard it called a set. | |
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 Veteran
Posts: 285
Location: Murphy NC | I prioritize races based on added money first, friendliness of staff second, facilities and concessions third. If it is a series I will try to run the whole series if the prizes are tack or saddles. A plus for me is being able to pre enter exhibitions and roll times. I like the buy backs that some races offer too. This is a draw for me.
How important are the following, please offer comments.
Ground I'm not super picky...but prefer medium depth and I despise a hard pan underneath the dirt
Exhibitions I like to run exhibitions...It's a bummer for me if I get there and they are all sold out as soon as the books open. If I can preenter exhibitions this is a BIG draw for me.
Warm up area Of course I like a warm up area...but I can make do with most anything...this isn't a deal breaker for me.
Concessions If there are good concessions at a particular race this will attract me even if the added money isnt great lol
Fees/Office .... please suggest amount $10 or less
Fees Late I hate late fees...but under $15 won't turn me away if the added money is good
Entry Fee EF should be under $60 IMO, but should never be more than about 6-7% of the guaranteed added money
Parking Not a priority for me as long as there is enough
Efficiency of Staff Important, I like a fast moving race
Courteousness of Staff VERY IMPORTANT!!
Prizes.... preferred I prefer tack, but most importantly QUALITY is the key for whatever you award
Entertainment I've never been to a race with any entertainment, but that would be a draw for me.
Videography/Photography I've been known to follow photographers lol. If T&Z photography (Georgia) is going to be at a race I will prioritize that race over others.
Divisional race, 4D or 5D I prefer 5D, but am not turned off by 4D
Payback % 75% or more
Drag after every 5........ As long as its at least every ten or so I'm OK with it.
Bathrooms I prefer real bathrooms with running water, but not above using a port a potty
Other events, poles, quads, etc What is quads? Not important to me as long as they run after barrels
Kid friendly playgrounds away from horse areas This is a HUGE draw for me as the mother of a 5 year old
Seating We carry chairs in our trailer in case of no seating
Announcers I think it is important that they announce the rider name & draw number when calling out the riders, this helps me keep up with where the show is at and when I need to get on my horse. I find that a lot of places just call names only.
Music or Not YES!! VERY IMPORTANT!!
Rules Should be posted at the show office.
Hookups Preferred. I will buy stalls even if its not an overnight race, just for the day if they are offered.
Covered or outside pen. I like both, this isn’t a deal breaker for me
Vendors love shows with vendors
How you would prefer to receive info, text, FB or both or ? FB, BHW event postings, where2barrelrace postings
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Veteran
Posts: 276
| Added money and if you do prizes, make them unique and useful.
Run exhibitions for a certain amount of time, but post your start time and don't back off of it.
Do a real draw. It drives me crazy when its basically whoever shows up first, gets to run first.
Either charge an arena fee/office fee separately and pay 100% of entry fee or payback on 70-80% of fees and no extra fees.
Don't pay too many holes. Last hole in the 4D should get your entry fee back. If not, IMO you're paying too many holes. It seems like around my area, it doesn't matter how much added money or how many entries, races pay the same amount because they just keep paying more holes. | |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| Be transparent about your rules and put them on the flyer. How points are accumulated, earning points on more than 1 per division, do points follow the horse the rider or the combo and how you will break ties.
I won't go back somewhere if things just feel inconsistent or made up as they go along.
If you're looking at a series at the same arena or doing multiple day weekends consider some smaller fun awards like most consistent or most inconsistent. | |
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My mind still works
Posts: 8912
| Added money and home cooked food.
I never say ground because what's good for one may suck for another. I've drawn out of one race in 15 years. They learn to stand up. | |
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