In a message dated 9/15/2007 11:38:01 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, marhaven@xxxxxxx writes: Hi Christine; I'm not sure I understand your reasoning in increasing Futurities. Are you saying we will have a sudden influx of participating Breeders and Exhibitors that we did not normally have before because of less Futurities available to and a further distance to travel? I don't see any other way it will increase Futurities except to attract new people and how can that be, if we send them three or four States away? We take away the more local Futurities from the more local people and add about 10 more hours of driving and it will INCREASE the Futurities? Not sure what I am missing here. I can't answer for Christine, but here is how I see decreasing the number of futurities: 1. Cost Factor--Fewer Judges (5 verses 9), probably larger entries at the 5 futurities (not particularly larger overall entries). More money for the hosting club (larger entries produce larger revenue) With small entries for some clubs, I can't see them even breaking even. Savings on Ribbons, Trophies etc. (I know they are paid by Purina at present but maybe not forever). 2. Distance: People who normally enter the futurity/maturity are not usually hindered by distance. The fancy usually goes where the Judge is best for the dog--no matter. Example Winner in one of the California Futurities was from St. Louis, North West Maturity winner from ST. Louis, Virginia Futurity from Atlanta. I'm not sure about new people because I am having a hard time locating them, and I know that's part of the problem and that needs to be a separate discussion. First we need to get them interested in Confirmation so they will breed, nominate litters and enter futurities. JMHO Peg ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2007. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - www.showgsd.org ============================================================================