I came across the following statement in one of the dog papers the other day, and must say I was taken aback by it.
“The Secretary of the AKC has issued a stark warning to exhibitors over the pond, give better entries to shows or lose them.
In an echo of the UK show scene, Jim Crowley has said that with conformation dog show entries declining across all club types, the AKC has begun a study to determine if the increase in the number of shows has been a cause of, or factor, in declining entries.”
We are in the midst of an economic crisis, and with many people facing home evictions, after losing their employment, and us dog show enthusiasts (well not in Ireland – yet) are being told to enter more shows or they will be lost.
The cost of entering dog shows these days has risen quite substantially, look at the IKC Celtic Winners show in 2 weeks time €20.00 for every dog entered, this is on top of spiralling fuel prices, with people travelling from the four corners of Ireland to attend. You could guestimate that the cost to an average exhibitor in Ireland is between, €100 to €150 per show, correct me if I am wrong.
What do we get in return ? Maybe we should turn the tables ! …I know at the only Crufts qualifying show in Ireland for my breed /group, where entry fee’s are similar to the IKC Celtic winners show, you don’t even get a place card.
There have been some rumblings on Facebook about prize money being offered at shows, with a lot of the non IKC shows offering some tasty pots.
The Rough Collie Club Of Ireland, are offering some prize money at their open show today, and the Munster Agricultural Society, have offered over €540 in prize money at their open show on the 19-06-11 (Subject to IKC confirmation)
Maybe we should vote with our feet / entries, and only support the societies / dog breed clubs that give something back to us the exhibitor, whom without us, there wouldn’t be a show in the first place.
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