The "Best in the West" Show

[Pasogirlz]

What if there was a show out West...say in Las Vegas, and this show was being promoted as The PASO event of the year outside of Nationals. Let's say for arguements sake this show was in late July and promised some modest purses comparable to Asheville.

Would you go?

What classes would you like to see there?

How would you like to see it promoted?

Any ideas for this type of show IF one were to exist? comments?

[Terry Wallace]

I'm thinking that would be about the HOTTEST time you could have one there..... it would be like 110 degrees outside.... I don't think I would go. I DO like Las Vegas.... I don't know about horse facilities though..maybe Phoenix or Scottsdale would have better facilities with all the Arab horse folks there...but again, the end of July would be incredibly hot....hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk...I guarantee....!

A show in the west would be better in early spring or late fall. I know I'd think twice about hauling horses a thousand miles in that kind of heat.

Here is a question...for you people on the east coast...Florida, Carolinas,. etc.... How far do you average travelling to shows? Are most of your shows an hour away, two hours away? Just trying to get a feel for "convenience of showing" east of the Mississippi. For me, I have a real hard time justifying a $700+ show weekend...(that would include fuel, entry, hotel room, food, etc)...

[Pasogirlz]

Terry- Lets say the show was in a brand new state of the art covered, Air conditioned barn and arena? One that was backed up to a huge hotel, so you would never have to step foot outside the a/c if you didn't want to?

[Terry Wallace]

O.K... lets "say" that.... lets "say" whatever you want! BUT.... I'd advise you to study that market very carefully lest no one attended and your show ran in the red....

Now....just exactly "what" show would it be, that would attract enough competitors to make it truly be "The event for Pasos" if not Nationals? I mean.... are you trying to attract people from Florida to drive horses all the way to Las Vegas?

Of course we here in the west would like to see a "regional nationals" ...because we don't want to drive all the way to Perry, any more than Floridians want to drive to Las Vegas...

I guess I'd advise you to be very carefull that there would be enough entries to support such an endeavor. Out here...it is tough to get enough Paso Finos to even have a show....

Sooo..anyway...all that aside...if you want to dream...dream BIG.
So...if we had a regional nationals would I attend? Yes...I believe I would.
Would I support it, yes.... How would I support it....probably with donations.

[Pasogirlz]

[quote="

Sooo..anyway...all that aside...if you want to dream...dream BIG.
So...if we had a regional nationals would I attend? Yes...I believe I would.
Would I support it, yes.... How would I support it....probably with donations.[/quote]

Terry- Glad to hear you would support the show if/when it were to come about. ;-) You just never know...it might be closer down the road than you think.

But the reason I'm asking these questions is to see if what you WOULD make the effort to go for. What would make you WANT to go for? Etc.

Would you take horses?

Would you travel just to watch?

[Terry Wallace]

Would I take horses...no, not likely.
Would I go to watch...yes, very likely.
What would attract me to go there.....horses, a Paso Fino Sale/auction and vendors. Mostly I would go to take photos and video. IF there were a horse sale, then yes, I'd likely take horses to SELL. BUT...it would need to be a well organized catalog sale...that was well advertised...and NOT like the sales at Nationals.

It would need a good six months, if not more, of good advertising to get people unfamiliar with Paso Finos...which would be *most* of the west...to want to attend. It would take a lot of planning and advertising dollars to pull off a profitable show...IMO

[Pasogirlz]

Great input Terry. Just what I was looking for.

Anyone else?

Here is the chance for all of you who complain about ALL the shows being in FLA. Tell me what you'd want for your BIG show out WEST. 8-)

[CarolU]

Yep, I'd go and I'd take horses. From here (and Terry's route wouldn't be much different) you'd just plan to drive the last 3-hour stretch at night. Then it won't be so hot. You unload inside and park outside, but the hotel, arena, and stalls are all RIGHT THERE! As are a half dozen 4-star resturants, entertainment, gambling (if you care to) and an awesome arena. No reason to step outside again until it's time to load up and go home.

We discussed the possibility of this show ever since we saw the ads for the facility - it's awesome! Doing it with California, it should draw a lot of horses.

If the breed is ever to take off as a show breed in the west, it has to have an event like this to make owning show horses here worth the cost.

It's time for the breed to grow beyond the SE.

[CarolU]

Actually, we were thinking a late August date would be even better. That way the California horses who were Nationals-bound could show on their way to Florida and Georgia.

Spring doesn't work for northern horses and fall conflicts with Nationals. It's a toughie!!

[Pasogirlz]

I totally agree Carol. It's time Paso Finos made their mark outside of the South East. I also think this would be a great opportunity to draw in some of the tourists who might be in town if it were advertised right. It would be cool to have a restarant do like the one in Colombia where they ride the pasos around while you dine. 8-)

[Trudy]

We would attend. But wouldn't take horses. still a very long drive for us in Midwest. But it sounds great..

[CarolU]

Trudy, if you wanted to bring horses, I could get layover stalls here at the fairgrounds and we could all drive down together!

I'd love for you guys to come! Sounds like an 'event'....:-)

[SandyMM]

Sounds like it could be big enough to warrant a trip with t-shirts...

[CarolU]

Cool Sandy...maybe we can come up with a special shirt for it!!!

Great idea!!!

[Dianne]

I would go for sure..and if I didnt have horses by then I would steal one :lol:
I think you would reach a LOT of people by advertising in one of the bigger horse magazines like Horse and Rider..lots of people buy those mags even if they dont have horses.
For classes I would like to see everything we were not allowed to have at Nationals ;-)

[CarolU]

Actually, we'd have to really look at the schedule to make it a real "horse show" instead of our usual 40 classes of Pleasure, 40 of Performance and 40 of Fino. Spectators die watching that stuff. I die watching it! LOL

[cowboy ed]

so, lori, is the location a closely guarded secret? or is it orleans arena?

i agree, lots of promo is needed to make this work, but i believe it could be done. i might fly out just to watch. cowboy ed

[Pasogirlz]

Right now, I don't know exactly what details have been worked out, but I do know that something special is in the works for the folks out west.

I could probably make a phone call and get an update for ya'll...if you're really interested. ;-)

[cowboy ed]

nah, dont call, JUST KEEP US IN SUSPENSE, OK!!! :lol:

[PasoPerson]

Demos of team penning, pole bending, barrels really hold audiences' interest. And how about ... oh CarolU ... the Largo Race? Don't forget driving and the rest of the specialty classes (costume, trail, western pleasure, versatility).

Have about 15 classes each of Pleasure, Performance and Fino scattered through these other classes.

I think it would be a big hit.

We used to make half our profit from a very easy-to-make show program. It was free to audience, with paid ads inside. Also inside: show schedule, tons and tons of info about Pasos - from where they originated to tying an Indian rope halter & lead. It takes work, but anything to make money does. If anyone decides they wish to try doing a show program, let me know. I'll give you all "the hints".

God bless -
Carolyn

[Pasogirlz]

Carolyn, I had been thinking of the Largo race too. :D

Great ideas so far. Keep'em coming.

[CarolU]

This is a popular area for the Largo Race...we have breeders here who specialize in it. Now, it would up to California to include it in their scheudule. I understand they are doing the show.

[Pasogirlz]

You are correct Carol...it is California getting ready to WOW us all w/an awesome show.

If anyone would like to be involved, or has suggestions, or would like to help out with a sponsorship, contact
George Aguel CPFHAVicePres@aol.com

He is open to suggestions and plans to make this an event for EVERYONE! The Largo Race will be considered, so start getting ppl together to support it.

I am getting the info on the facility soon. George is planning to tour the facility right after this holiday, so hopefully he will have good things to report.

This is IT ppl! This is an opportunity for you all to have the show you have dreamed of. So lets all do our small part to make it a reality. Whether it is doing a farm sponsorship, bringing horses to show, being a vendor, or simply coming as a spectator. Keep the great suggestions coming on what format you would like to see at a show like this.

More plans will be coming as they are made, so stay tuned.

[Pasogirlz]

LAS VEGAS PASO FINO GOLD CUP
Where the Fino Board meets the Strip

The Fino Board meets the Vegas Strip this July as Pasos and their people go for Nevada’s gold at the first Las Vegas Paso Fino Gold Cup Horse Show, California
Paso Fino Horse Association [CPFHA] announced today.


*Told ya'll! ;-)

[Pasogirlz]

CPFHA’s first competitive show at the South Coast Equestrian Complex & Casino on
July 28, 29, and 30 is the first of its kind for Paso owners, trainers,
families, and friends to indulge their passion for Pasos at “the finest indoor
horse facility in the U.S.,” according to George Aguel, CPFHA Vice President.

South Coast Equestrian Center & Casino enjoys a fast-growing reputation for
hosting the most prestigious equestrian events in the world. The immaculate new
facility features a spacious 250’ x 125’ air-conditioned show arena seating
4,400 guests, 1,200 climate controlled stalls, a 100’ x 225 ‘ air-conditioned
Warm Up arena, and a complete drive through for trailers transporting horses.

Show people will enjoy other features, like the tack shop, farrier shop,
veterinarian facility, and South Coast Center’s State-Of-The-Art 4-Plex video,
sound, and public address systems.

After visiting South Coast, Vice President Aguel and other CPFHA members voiced
high praise for the equestrian facility, saying “it’s everything anyone could
need all in one air-conditioned complex.”

The complex also offers 80,000 sq. ft. of exhibit areas, 70,000 sq. ft. of
meeting and banquet space, a Hospitality Bar overlooking the arena, a snack bar,
and concessions.

Equestrian enthusiasts and their families will enjoy South Coast’s
entertainment, dining, and shopping world – all conveniently and thoughtfully
designed in one place.

For South Coast’s guests, the list of affordable luxuries and relaxation venues
include the Center’s 1,635 guest rooms, numerous restaurants, gift shops, a
600-seat bingo parlor, a 300-seat Race and Sports Book, and a 500-seat nightclub
showroom drawing headline entertainers.

Association members find South Coast room rates very reasonable and see this
July event as an exciting opportunity to mix sport and business with family fun.
For many, the Paso Fino Gold Cup will be their first opportunity to see and feel
the neon glitter of Las Vegas.

The overwhelming response to CPFA’s Gold Cup announcement has ranches coast to
coast reserving rooms and equestrian stalls, anticipating this event will be the
Show of Shows in 2006.

CPFHA will also accommodate out of town guests traveling long distances, who
wish to spend pleasurable time in California before the show. The Association
provides facilities for horses, training, and Paso people get-togethers at
various California locations – all less than four hours from Las Vegas.

See you at the Gold Cup!

Questions? For more information, email or call George Aguel cpfhavicepresident@aol.com
– (818) 597.9727, Bob Rains ranchofino@aol.com – (805)640.9160, or Phyllis
Buteyn pbuteyn@dc.rr.com – (760) 345.2518.

[Cindy]

Excellent.....

[CarolU]

I know...sounds great doesn't it? The only problem are the dates (Mile High is the weekend before it, so it doesn't look like many of us in this region will be taking horses)...but I definately plan on going and helping all I can.

I'm hoping we can get dates worked out where it doesn't conflict in the future...would really LOVE a western region championship type show...

We might be able to sell Paso Fino 'show' horses out here eventually! LOL

[Fino1]

"IF"..............I still had horses I'd start making plans NOW to attend BOTH shows!
What an opportunity...............

Judy