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How Come it Costs
so Much to Show a Goat?
by Judy Starbuck
[Webmasters note: As a comparison, AKC dog
shows typically charge $15-30 per class. Horse shows vary
greatly but a typical show would charge $30-$150 per class with
stall fees of $20-75.]
Most people are unaware
of the expenses involved in putting on a show. All you know is
that it costs from $5 to $7 a day to show your goat. That seems
like a lot. If you know what is involved, you might be more
prepared to chip in and help, or at least not think entry costs
are high. The figures given are guidelines. There are no set
show costs other than sanction fees, and even they vary if you
pay late. I will tell you what it normally costs our VPGA club.
I talked to show chairpersons around the country, and our costs
are comparable.
The first thing to do is
find a place to hold the show. Most likely it will cost from
$300 to $800 for a two-day show. Hopefully, this includes a
covered arena and sawdust in the ring. Straw bedding in
California has run about $4 to $6 per bale, and 25 bales are
needed to bed 100 goats.
Insurance is sometimes
included in the show ground rental, but don’t count on it. Our
club pays $400/year. It may be available on a per-event basis
for your facility. This may cost up to $500 for a weekend; the
average is about $200 or more per event.
Now you need a couple of
judges. If you’re worried about how much it will cost to fly in
the judges, contact a travel agent and ask for fares from the
judge’s location to the show location. VPGA travel records
averaged $350 for an out-of-state judge and about $100 for an
in-state judge. There are motel rooms (about $45/night) and
meals (roughly $25/day), usually two days. Other expenses for
the judge might include parking or bus to the airport,
baby/goat/house sitter, and possibly a car rental, as well as
the judging fee.
A fee? Several years ago
the Judges Training Committee recommended that judges charge a
fee of $50 for less than 100 goats and $100 for over 100 goats
to help offset their expenses. The fee is payment for the time
and work required to judge a show. If the fee is a hardship,
discuss it with the judge when s/he agrees to judge your show.
To avoid confusion, you should have written agreements with
your judges.
Sanction your show as
early as possible. Fees go up from time to time.
Procrastinating will cost you extra.
Now it is time to order
ribbons and trophies. This is one area where you can go all out
and spend lots of money or economize, depending on your budget
and ability, and make trophies. We average about $450 for
ribbons and trophies for a 2-day show.
Don’t forget to figure
the cost of printing and mailing entry forms. They average
about 40 cents each, and 200 will cost $80. Printing an average
size show book (optional) should cost about $65 for 100 copies.
OK, let’s see how much
this 2-day show will cost:
| |
Low |
High |
| Show Grounds |
$250 |
$500 |
| Straw Bedding |
0 |
$125 |
| Insurance |
0 |
$250 |
| Judge's Airfare |
$100 |
$450 |
| Judge's Motel |
0 |
$180 |
| Judge's Food |
$35 |
$100 |
| Judge's Fee |
0 |
$200 |
| Ribbons/trophies |
$100 |
$450 |
| Sanction Fee |
$180 |
$260 |
| Totals |
$655 |
$2515 |
The totals should give a
good idea of average costs. As you can see, something has to be
done to raise money if the show is going to be self-supporting.
Entry fees for 100 goats at $5/goat will only be $1,000, if
they are entered both days. Sponsors and a good raffle are
needed to break even. A show is a lot of work. Good planning is
a must, but can be done. We do it all the time, and so do many
other clubs and individuals around the country.
I hope this helps you
understand why show entry fees seem high. Remember the cost in
time and money that goes into putting on the show. And,
potential show chairpersons, please don’t let this scare you.
There are lots of ways to cut corners and raise money to help
offset your expenses. You can do it!
Excerpts from:
Kinne, Maxine, ed.
Pygmy Goats: Best of Memo
3
(1988-1996)
National Pygmy Goat Association: pp 166
This document is for
informational purposes only and is in no way intended to be a
substitute for medical consultation with a qualified veterinary
professional. The information provided through this document is
not meant to be used in the diagnosis or treatment of a health
problem or disease, nor should it be construed as such.
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