Ruth
Junior Member
Rosie, forever my Angel
Posts: 80
|
Post by Ruth on Apr 27, 2007 19:46:49 GMT
SHIRES Can you believe that the biggest one day agricultural show in the country has this year decided that Shires will not be at the show. One local family, who have, like my family, supported the show for many generations, offered to bring their shires and working shire machinery for free, as an attraction. They were turned down and told that the public wanted to see more in-hand pony classes. I, like many, am horrified that this has happened. Surely the Shire, along with cattle, sheep, pigs etc are the basis of the Agriculturao Shows of years gone by. Shires are a massive attraction. Just what are they doing Forgot to say, this is the St.Stythians (Stithians) Show. Wasn't sure where to post this, not 100% appropriate to a showing forum, so please move if needed. Thanks.
|
|
|
Post by medwinatswpa on Apr 27, 2007 20:44:25 GMT
Bath & West have messed about with the M&M ridden classes for the last few years. Numbers have dropped dramatically from the days when we had our breed only classes. But I agree how can you have an agricultural show without the very equines that are the basis of agriculture and have been for hundreds of years! They will be having ridden tractor classes soon to judge
|
|
|
Post by langwedh stud on Apr 27, 2007 23:16:00 GMT
But they have only added 1 extra in hand pony class, there isn't even a barren class for the riding ponies in hand, but there is one for the hunter ponies in hand, bit unfair don't you think!!
|
|
|
Post by medwinatswpa on Apr 28, 2007 8:40:18 GMT
Bath & West said to me that they made more money from the stands than they do from the equine exhibits and wished to turn more ground over to trade stands. They feel that people go to buy not to watch and watching is not profit making.
|
|
|
Post by titch on Apr 28, 2007 9:28:26 GMT
What a load of rubbish. If there were no horse classes for showjumping or showing they would lose loads of people who come especially to watch these. The horses draw in many people and i am glad Bath and West have finally separated the m&m's!!! At least they have done one god thing. I agree it's a shame about the heavy horses at Stithians.
|
|
|
Post by medwinatswpa on Apr 28, 2007 9:49:38 GMT
I rang B&W when they grouped all the individual breeds classes into just two - large and small and asked them why they had done it. Reply was "Well it is a PUK qualifier you know!"
As I pointed out I could go to a whole range of local shows every weekend and pay a quarter of the entry fee to do a PUK class - I go to my local county show to do my breed class.
Just shows that the organisers are out of touch with showing I think
|
|