[irideazip]

I wouldn't know b/c we havent even shown this year so far....and likely will not. No money!!

ETA: don't forget to let me know when you go o the trial out here where you can rent the horses. It sounds like SOOOO much fun!!

[dancer]

I haven't noticed it at our open shows, but there was a huge drop in entries at Appaloosa yth. world and nationals in Mississippi.

[Berlunz]

Well the closest circuit to me has actually shot up dramatically in entrants. I think its 2 fold-1 people dont want to drive farther to go to other shows so they just decided to come back to the local ones and give them another try.
-2. My instructor is the show director for english and western shows and seeing as the management has changed, so has the show atmosphere/participants. In just 1 western show this year we had more entrants than double all our english entrants combined last year. Its certainly been an improvement to have people running it who care more about putting in classes for groups of people who need them, as opposed to people putting in random made up classes so they can win easily since no one else would use the class.. and then never show up...

The ones that are a lil bigger and farther away, well they shot up in western but have plummeted in english (so far this year anyways).

[AQHA Hunter]

The USDF dressage show here was as busy as last year, but then most of the competitors have $$$$$ horses, and are willing to spend the extra on gas to get them to competitions.

However, I know my interest in competing is dwindling, in large part due to expense. At most, I might take my horse to one local show this fall, and if we do show next year, it will be locally only (within 30 miles of our home barn).

[dancer]

At App. nationals/yth. most of the big trainers with big money were there, but many of the average horse owners were the ones that didn't necessarily come.

[wpisawesome]

I think the open type shows are still doing well. I show the paint circuit and I think it has probably dropped some. Around her the quarter horse open shows are a big hit.

[Nixxy373]

I haven't seen it a huge amount around here, but less people are starting to show. Our turnover rate from just riding lessons to kids leasing and showing is a lot slower, and not due to levels. I think it's just a financial strain to make that push.

[horseyfrk145]

Around here they have all been as full as ever! The recognized shows for sure, but even the schooling shows are filling up like normal! That's all on the eventing circuit, btw.

[TravelingGirl]

I keep thinking we won't see a difference in our competitions either this fall. People prepare for YEARS to compete....you wouldn't think gas prices would deter them. I think people might compete closer to home....maybe we'll see different breeds than we have in the past, but still pretty full.

We have a specialty dog show planned for the 2nd weekend in August and those entries are down close to 40% BUT people really don't have any reason to travel to a specialty show when they can go to an all-breed show close to home.

Oh well, we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

[honeydoozy]

I have seen a major decrease in participation in both rated AND schooling dressage shows in our area. It's kind of a shame, and it will be interesting to see how the year-end championships play out as a result.