$100 entry fee for club trial? WTF??

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by HOT Mal on 14 June 2010 - 18:06

A friend forwarded a flyer for a USA Schutzhund trial in Southern California. It's on a home field at the club owner/whatever's house, which is kind of a crappy field. The judge is being flown in, so that cost is big, plus any motel accomodations and judge's fees. Knowing this club, they just find free tracking, wherever. Their trophies are usually cheap generic trophies.

The entry fee is $100 for Schutzhund dogs. $75 for BHs and TR and OBs. Lunch and beverages for sale.

Really, WTF?? Other clubs in that area have charged up to $75 for entries, but that's when they pay big money to have a tracking field plowed for the benefit of the entrants and they're flying in a judge and offering really nice trophies. Some even have to pay to rent the field for the trial.

Who can afford this sport anymore? Usually clubs hope to break even or lose only a little bit of money. Or are willing to lose a lot of money. Charging this amount sounds like a "Fuck You" to me. No wonder the club atmosphere sucks in Southern California. I feel sorry for you people.

by NoCurs on 14 June 2010 - 18:06

We held a club trial this weekend (WDA) and charged $50 for SCH and I think it was $30 for B, etc. Our judge (Doug Deacon) drove down, we didn't have to pay for fields and we don't go crazy on trophies because most of us know that they end up collecting dust anyway.

I guess you could call our trials "Poorboy Trials" cuz that's what they are! But we think it is important to keep the price reasonable.

Might I add, I REALLY agree with that, as my nick name is "Trial in a Truck" and as WDA allows 3 dogs to be entered per handler, well, that's what I enter! : ) So that can really add up. I entered a FH, SchH II and TR 1. (Just to brag, yes, I passed all three, not bad for an old fat broad with a cane!)

I can safetly say I would NOT enter a trial which charged $100!

by zdog on 14 June 2010 - 18:06

and some do it to keep competitors away. easier to pass off suspect shit as passable if nobody else is there to watch it. Do you think club members are paying 100 bucks an entry? They might be, but I doubt it.

by SchHBabe on 14 June 2010 - 18:06

Prices for trials (like dogs) just keep going up and up... despite the economy it seems. We just had our first club trial and I deliberately priced our entry fees about $10 cheaper than the other clubs in our region. We want to keep this affordable! SchH is not a cheap hobby to begin with - no reason to make it worse.

But there's no rule against what they're doing in So Cal. You can't stop clubs from charging outrageous fees anymore than you can stop showline breeders from charging $5000 for a puppy. As long as the people will pay the money...

It is a plausible explanation that the club is trying to keep out "outside" entries but that's a tough one to prove!

by zdog on 14 June 2010 - 19:06

all you gotta do is look at the results. all club members and only club members in the trial, and high scores across the board and since you've seen or worked them you know these dogs weren't capable of those scores on their best day with all the planets and stars aligned.

Of course it's tough to prove, but it's not tough to know what's going on.

by Wolfinbok on 14 June 2010 - 20:06

Very good topic,

If 50 dogs compete at a trial, and you charge $50.00 entry
that's $2500. which should cover the cost. Only 25 dogs than you may have to
charge a little more but not a $100.00. The food concession helps pay to.

More and more people are turned away because so many complications, there
should be free trials without any certification given as well. All you need is a
pretty good dog person that has competed. But if you bring in a judge do it
right don't cut corners, pay what is necessary.

by LAVK-9 on 14 June 2010 - 20:06

What do you expect it's California.Everything costs more.

by HOT Mal on 14 June 2010 - 20:06

Is doggie dancing big in Cali? Friend needs a new hobby.

by HOT Mal on 14 June 2010 - 20:06

"What do you expect it's California.Everything costs more."

But if other clubs that have to PAY for the field, tracking, trophies, the judge, etc., can do it cheaper, WHY can't this one put on a trial on their own field with free tracking for the same amount?

by YogieBear on 14 June 2010 - 20:06

I wouldn't have really thought about a club charging an amount to try to keep people out. $100 doesn't seem unreasonable. Wouldn't keep me from trialing my dog if I really wanted to trial my dog.

With the economy the way it is - prices do keep going up. Most everyone has to fly judges in and then put them up, feed them, etc. whether the club members have to pay the same as outsiders - that is up to the club as well. We mainly have club members that participate in our trials - that is the hole purpose of having the trial anyway -if we are lucky we would have the entire trial filled with our club members. So it wouldn't really be economic to charge a small amount to our members and then not cover the cost of the trial itself...The members would have to cough up the additional funds to cover the cost anyway....

The quality of the field doesn't factor in on the entry fee in my book - but the cost associated with the trial itself.. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. If you don't like the fee's and think it is a FYou then don't enter. Move on to another club. With that attitude you would be a pain in the butt anyway...

Just my opinion.

YogieBear

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