[ SHOWGSD-L ] Addicted to numbers and the Futurity Calendar
- From: lindenhillgsd@xxxxxxxxxxx (Lindenhill German Shepherds)
- To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 01 Dec 2004 15:26:51 +0000
Attached are some thoughts regarding the Futurity/Maturity Season I have sent
to the board along with the graphs and data supporting the ideas. Please feel
free to express yourself on either side of the issue.
M
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Following a thought regarding specialty show dates, I would like you all to
take a peek at the following charts. Several conclusions can be derived
AKC rule changes have allowed clubs to hold back to back shows. This appears to
have resulted in a convergence for the much desired multi show weekends during
the 2nd quarter when the Futurity/Maturities are held. A near 30% increase in
an already congested time period.
With this much competition for the "entries" during that quarter, clubs will
find it even more difficult to get large entries if they are not coupled with a
Futurity. I would even suggest the Futurities would suffer as well.
I would imagine even the handlers are loosing money, going to fewer shows(of
course they can compensate with rate hikes).
The other component I need to mention, is the afford-ability factor. Much
easier to use disposable income for this hobby of ours when it is spread out
over six months(or longer). As I'm sure you have experienced, Futurities are 2
- 3 times the expense of a normal specialty weekend.
Looking at the big picture, I would suggest there is a "condensation of the
quality factor" occurring as well. Our best animals are competing for the
highest honors heavily during these three months. Which makes it even more
difficult for the animals of slightly lower/lesser quality(although still
deserving) to win at all. This works against new folks in the breed,
particularly since they tend not to have top quality animals.
A fair criticism of this line of thinking would be that the months July and
august may not be preferred based on weather for the majority of the states. I
would counter with, that some of the most northern states could hold futurities
during this time period, although not desirous. Certainly late August and
September would be very acceptable.
I would suggest that the board consider expanding the Futurity season to
include the third quarter which I believe would spread these shows back out.
This of course would take some thought on how to overhaul the current system
and how dates are selected. The Parent Club may want to take a bit more control
of the dates, until the balance is restored in the show calendar. I believe the
PC club needs to have a serious discussion, and perhaps take corrective action,
and assist with the overall specialty show calendar. I think the sport will
continue to degrade to just the hard-core folks.(we may be close to that now)
I would gladly engage in further discussion for those that have and interest,
shoot me your questions and comments.
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