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How to Run a Horse Show? ...and Why !
Monday, February 27th, 2006
by Peter Imran Winton, CEO of Asiapromote and Show Director, FEI World Cup Jumping Final 2006
Every year around the world thousands of companies, groups, associations, federations, committees, societies, governments, for all sorts of reasons, go a little mad and organize upwards of 5000 horse shows of all sorts of standards and sizes and importance. In England during the season there are about 100 per week! And that story gets duplicated all over Europe and America and well, just about anywhere the sport has any hold at all.
If you contemplate that at each competition there will be at least 200 horses jumping or dressaging then it’s not too difficult to do the maths. Over 1 million equestrian horses around the world competing for glory, national honour and oh yes..money. That’s one million riders, one million saddles, 4 million horse shoes, one million owners, one million sponsors. Think what it takes to care for the horses and the team around them. Vets, blacksmiths, saddlers, grooms, trainers, coaches, riders, managers, horse feed – they eat a lot of very specialized mixtures – no paddock grass for this lot, they’re athletes remember. The list is endless: footing experts, course designers, judges, stewards and even horse dentists.
In short this is a huge industry with big exposure and a massive public following. And I’m not even starting on the racing industry
Why this obsessive interest in bringing out the horse sport? Well frankly it just happens to be one of the most breathtakingly exciting sports there is. Once you’ve tasted the action and watched the best there’s no escape. You’ll be there next time, then you’ll start scanning Astro and TV3 for coverage of the world’s top events, then you’ll adopt your favorite riders and horses and be really miffed when they don’t win and over the top when they do. And soon, before you can say Jack Nicklaus those golf clubs have been pushed to the back of the cupboard and you’re on your way to Kiara or STC or Taman Equine for that first riding lesson. And the whole family, for a change, is doing something together.
But lets get back to those shows. Of the 5000 odd total, there are around 400 serious international events classified just like the Michelin star system. 5 star for the biggest and most serious down to 1 star for the less powerful on the international circuit. Of the 400 international events there are only 15 5-stars and yes one of them is in Kuala Lumpur, the only one anywhere in Asia.
And here’s the rub. It takes more to organize the KL event than any other in the world. And it’s expensive. The airlines make a fortune. How they could be losing money escapes me! 150 horses flying business class (that means two to a pallet rather than the normal three) from around the globe to KL and back. 400 riders, officials, media. The organizer has to foot the bill. The logistics operation is a nightmare.
Then there’s the extra entertainment. Man can not live by jumping alone. So Siti will be booked, and Reshmono, and Camelia, and Mawi and Jackie etc etc plus that big overseas act (still a surprise) and the MC’s and announcers. And the horse extravaganza and the volunteers and workers who make it all happen on the five days and nights. Hundreds of helpers and contractors, thousand of problems to work through. Television lighting, (the event is going live around the world) sound, the protocol of VIP’s and VVIP’s. Are the sponsors getting their money’s worth? Supremely important. Are the public loving it? Are the caterers supplying great food for everyone? Are the overseas tourists thrilling to the event and to KL and Malaysia? Is the expo area full of eager shoppers and happy traders? That carnival outside, all those TV celebrities, is it all under control? Is it really one of the best events in the world?
Then that relief, that monster sensation when it all succeeds and everyone has been enthused and entertained.
Like I said, you need to be a little mad, a little horse mad. But there’s also the bonus of doing the country and the sport a lot of good. Sponsors getting global exposure. Malaysia in the world limelight. And the enthralled faces of the children of all ages agog at the beauty and wonder and power and grace of those incredible horses. Maybe it’s worth it just for that.
Held
over five exciting days of intense, top-level showjumping competitions
and an array of other exciting events and activities, the FEI World Cup
Final 2006 is set to keep you entertained throughout!
The
event will be held at the Putra Stadium, National Sports Complex, Kuala
Lumpur, the home of the 1998 Commonwealth Games. This purpose-built
ultra modern sporting facility has proved to be the perfect indoor
venue as seen in the 2003 and 2004 KL Grand Prix CSI 5*.
Visitors will experience not only exciting showjumping competitions, but
also electrifying performances and exhilarating activities that will
appeal to equestrian fans and sports enthusiasts alike as well as
families from near and far. With our theme ‘The Pinnacle of Power &
Grace ’, the organisers have a few surprises lined up to amuse and entertain our
visitors of all ages.
Every year around the world thousands of companies, groups, associations, federations, committees, societies, governments, for all sorts of reasons, go a little mad and organize upwards of 5000 horse shows of all sorts of standards and sizes and importance. In England during the season there are about 100 per week! And that story gets duplicated all over Europe and America and well, just about anywhere the sport has any hold at all.