Not really what we were talking about. I am not talking totally about the big shows but the circuit events. Used to be so much chatter coming up to the Easterns, Westerns, Centrals, Northerns, Southerns, now not so much. Used to be MOST showed up to these events leading up to Provincials, now, not as much. There are the die hards, but seems lately alot of these are getting quiet.
Could be just me, but I am hearing this chatter around the world. One dynamic that keeps coming up is tougher times. One THOUGHT I had and dont kill me on this it is just a thought, is to create a Provincial Circuit Medallion, that all Circuit events use, buy them all at once, which will possibly allow the decrease in the cost of a circuit event transfering to possibly less entry fee. Could possibly get it down to $15 per arm, with the OAA still getting $5. I am not talking about larger events or circuit sanctioned events, simply the big 5 leading up to provincials.
Also promoters setting up a menu with the venue with special prices for the pullers that day.
Personally I dont have an issue with the costs of going to an event, that is me, but I know many do. It can turn into between $100-$200 really fast. Not everyone has it to drop anymore. Or if it comes down to a Circuit tournament or a bigger event the circuit gets dropped off the plans. The circuit is supposed to be the road to the worlds. That road has many paths now with no clear cut route.
Supermatches, round robins, large money events, multiple elimination, ALL AWESOME in different ways, but all detracting from the path. Is it time to drop the path??? After putting on a few events myself and seeing the work, time, money, commitment that many people put into it, it breaks my heart when turnout is low. It can be taken personally even though I know that is not the intent. Many things come into play, but other events is one of the factors. Again personally I would pull every other weekend if I could. I love it!!! But not everyone can so selections are made.
Where has the banter gone??? Did too many get there panties in a bunch??? I used to love Milnes rants, Gobby's quick barbs, Manjin's witty shananigans. Made for a lot of fun between and leading up to events, now Crickets.
Again, do not get me wrong, I LOVE the big events. I have missed very few. I have only missed one Arm Melter, and I have a lifetime entry. I was elated with the Quebec Enduro, I was at MGC in all aspects (Round Robin, Pro's) even when I didnt belong there, (still dont, LOL), Mark's monumental Woodstock Womens Round Robins and Supermatches, I have hit Harley Pulls, county fairs, promotion fundraisers, Toronto Show, driven 10+ hours, and will do it all again.
And by all this I am in no way saying it is dying in Ontario. But sometimes adjustments can be made. Sometimes we stare at something so long, and a solution is simpler than we make it. Sometimes outside the box isnt the correct method, sometimes the box is the problem. Am I making sense?? We are blessed with an incredible Highearchy with Eric and crew as leading the way, they are very open to ideas and great proponents to making this sport better in Ontario, we are very blessed to have them.
Just looking and tossing ideas around. Also with Ashley's question about women in the sport? How can this be addressed. I am trying the triple elimination again this year, seemed to go well last year, to create more pulling for the ones that do attend. How do we promote ourselves? More Novice events? More fairs? I dont really know the answer, just trying to get the banter and thought process up and running again.
You can kill me later, but for now, lets hear what we can do, NOT what is wrong, but what is RIGHT and how to make it better.
Guy
