New Show Research Committee Report

June 27, 2008

Dear Members, Exhibitors, and potential new exhibitors and members of SDQHA Shows,

The SDQHA Directors take a strong interest in our South Dakota Quarter Horse Shows. As an organization, we want our shows to appeal to our membership, as well as new potential exhibitors and members.

Many members and exhibitors of SDQHA are not aware that South Dakota Quarter Horse Association has only 2 shows that they “own” or have management rights to. These shows are the Huron Show in June, and the Brookings Show, held this year in May. All other South Dakota shows are managed by outside entities, and control their own shows and the management of those shows.

At our March Board of Directors Meeting, our board discussed our current economy and ways that we could keep our two shows strong during difficult economic times. Much discussion took place on the potential advantages of combining the Huron Show and the Brookings Show.

As a result of the discussions, a committee was formed. The purpose of the committee was to look into the possibility of combining the two existing SDQHA shows for the purpose of;

Reducing transportation costs, stalling costs, and bedding costs associated with traveling to multiple shows by holding 1 larger and more lengthy show.
Adding additional cattle classes for the purpose of expanding our current class offering as well as allowing for additional income from the volume of exhibitors that attend these classes.
Opening up opportunities for other organizations (i.e. reining, roping, cutting, working cow, etc.) to become more involved with SDQHA events.
Reducing the costs of holding 2 shows versus 1.
Creating an event that will, at a minimum, break even on expenses, thus protecting the assets of SDQHA.
Creating a fun event that family’s will enjoy attending year after year.

The New Show Research Committee began meeting April 12, 2008 and finalized their research On May 12th, 2008. The committee compared costs of 3 potential sites. These sites included Huron, Sioux Falls, and Brookings.

A committee tracked the positives and negatives of each potential site. After some investigation, and discussion around the sites, Huron was eliminated from the discussion due to several objectives that the committee felt were more suitably offered through the Brookings and Sioux Falls sites.

As discussion continued, the Sioux Falls site was eliminated due to several factors that the committee felt could be potential problems in the future. These items included;

The cost of the Sioux Falls site continues to go up. Along with the cost of the facility, additional set up costs, clean up costs and adhoc costs which make the facility a larger expense for any show.
In working with the facility, and explaining our committee mission, and the length of our potential show, there were no offers to reduce expenses to make the facility option more cost affective or equal in cost to the Brookings site. These offers could have included reduction of expense for stall set up, additional set up or clean up fees that were being charged by the Sioux Falls site. The lack of these offers made this facility a less desirable option due to costs and manpower that would be needed to cover these duties by utilizing our own people in non-paid/volunteer roles.
The future of the site was also in question. Little is being done to improve the site. It continues to not be well maintained. The committee discussed the issue of starting a large show at this site only to have the site become not available for these types of events, thus causing the need to discontinue or move the event after it had been established. This was considered by the board to be a risk to the longevity of the event.

On May 12th, the committee met at the Brookings Show. The committee discussed in depth what they felt it would take to make the potential new show break even in today’s current economy.

During the discussion, the committee discussed potential risks of starting this type of a show in today’s economy. Some of those factors include;

forecasted costs of fuel
cost of judges
cost of airline travel for judges
cost of facility
future cost of dirt work for the Brookings arena
stalling capacity/limitations in Brookings may not offer enough income potential or space for a growing show.

The committee proposed dates of the new show to be June 15, 2009 through June 21, 2009.

What’s next? Most of the research is complete, however, the opinions of our membership, exhibitors and potential new members/exhibitors is very important in order to make this change. In order to act quickly, we have set up a link at our website to gain your feedback of this proposal. We appreciate your feedback as your opinion weighs heavily on our decision to move forward.

Here’s how you can provide your feedback…….

SDQHA Members & SDQHYA Members-
Please leave comments on this blog thread. Your comments can be left anonymously or with an email address. This is an open blog so comments posted can be read by anyone. You may also email or call anyone on the committee directly. Their email addresses and phone numbers are at the end of this blog. Things to consider in your comments are the questions below. We also welcome any other comments.

Do you believe that this show is a benefit to you?
Do you see a longer show as a cost savings?
How many days of showing would make this beneficial?
Would you attend?
Why or why not?


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Neighboring states and friends we also value your input.

We appreciate all of our friends from neighboring states that attend our South Dakota Shows. When it comes to roping events and reining, we have appreciated the fact that your attendance at Dr. Christensen’s Sioux Falls Show in April has made it a great show for everyone trying to gain points. In South Dakota, we would like to offer additional roping events, cattle events and reining events, and this venue offers that possibility. Please leave comments on this blog thread. Your comments can be left anonymously or with an email address. This is an open blog so comments posted can be read by anyone. You may also email or call a committee member directly. Their emails and phone numbers are listed at the end of this post. Things to consider in your comments are the questions below. We also welcome any other comments.


Would this be an event that you would/could support?
How many days of showing would make this show a benefit?
Are there any major events in your area that would conflict with these dates? (June 15, 2009 through June 21, 2009)
If these dates are a conflict, are there other dates that we should consider?


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Potential new exhibitors and members we also value your input. Please leave your comments on this blog thread. Things to consider in your comments are the questions below.

If you have never attended one of our South Dakota Shows or been a member of SDQHA, would this be an event that would bring you our way?
What things do you look for in the shows that you attend?
What would bring you our way?

On behalf of the New Show Research Committee, we appreciate everyone’s speedy input. Your ideas will pave the way for our future SDQHA shows. Please contact any of us with any questions or comments you may have regarding this proposal.

We look forward to getting the feedback by August 1, 2008, so that we can make plans for our 2009 shows.

Sincerely,

The New Show Research Committee

Jim Hootman (605) 368-5826 email- jhoo721874@aol.com
Mike Clites (605)-690-1279 email -weqh@brookings.net
Rhonda Nussbaum (605) 359-9911 email- rhonda.nussbaum@citi.com
Shawn Jaacks (605) 351-8007 email- sjaacks@cedaramerican.com
Misty Schaunaman (605) 226-5927 email- schauncm@nvc.net
Janet Hansen (605) 223-9949 email- jpslider@msn.com
Dean Johnson (605) 456-1176 email- drywellranch@sdplainswb.com
JD Lauing (605) 962-6372 email- lauing@venturecomm.net