Ridecamp: Re: [RC] [RC] $3/mile and no food????

People will vote with their feet and their wallets. The sky isn't the limit
on what the RM can charge. If the price is above what the market will bear,
there won't be enough entries. Simple economics.

Regarding the comparison of endurance fees to dog sports: a field dog test
costs $45 - $55 to enter with all of what Lynne's friend said applying to
"scratching". AND you only get to run the whole test if you don't get DQ'd
-- the smallest details can DQ the participant. It really encourages
bringing an animal that's prepared so you don't pay $50 for one attempt at a
retrieve. >g< We recently made a $100 donation in entry fees to the club
that put on the competition because our dog had a temporary unresolvable
issue. Meals are always extra and sometimes non-existant. Port-a-johns?
What, are ya nuts? Just look out for poison ivy.

The comparison between dog sports and horse sports is a fair one. The
overhead is the same with most people buying or renting a vehicle just to
transport their dogs and some convert horse trailers -- there are
specialized dog trailers too. Many travel cross-country and stay in hotels.

We get so much more bang for the buck for our entry fees if only because of
the attentions of the ride vet. And at least we get a completion award.
Hopefully if the ride is more costly, the completion award is nicer.

Deanna (Ohio)
(endurance and CTR Barbie has nothin' over agility and field trial Ken when
it comes to competition expenses)
-----------------------------------------
>>Hi Lynne,
     I don't think most endurance riders realize HOW generous most
ride refund (and entry) policies are.  I sure didn't until I started
competing in dog agility.  Strictly enforced entry dates that close
at least two to three weeks before the event.  After the entry date
closes there are no refunds for any reasons...lameness, death in
family, bitch in season (ahh dog sports, the only venue where no one
bats an eye when someone says "bitch").  No exceptions as it is not
the trial secretary or sponsoring club who makes this cut off but the
governing agility organization.  Dog competitors don't seem to mind
and look at it as a donation to the club.  Too bad more endurance
riders don't feel more like this - I guess they just don't realize
the amount of work and the amount of financial risk a ride manager
takes.<<


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