When the Fun Fades: Why Rider Enjoyment HAS TO BE at the Heart of Every Show
“When organizers lose sight of the competitor experience, everything else starts to unravel.”
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I’ve been fortunate over the past few years to compete at a number of big events — the kind of shows that take months of planning, hundreds of volunteer hours, and an entire small village of people to pull off. These are the weekends we circle on the calendar, the ones we plan for, budget for, and dream about. But I’ve also noticed something that’s quietly but steadily changing the tone of our sport: somewhere along the line, some event producers have forgotten who the show is really for.
When organizers lose sight of the competitor experience, everything else starts to unravel.
There’s no denying that running a show is hard work. Between facility logistics, sponsor obligations, scoring systems, insurance, volunteers, and scheduling — it’s a massive juggling act. But when the focus shifts so heavily toward the operational side that the heart of the event — the joy of competition, camaraderie, and community — gets buried under clipboards and checklists, riders feel it.
And when riders stop enjoying themselves, they stop coming back.
At some of the best events I’ve attended, you could tell immediately that the producers understood this balance. They didn’t just run a smooth show — they made it fun. The office staff smiled. The announcer hyped up every rider, not just the top scorers. The schedule ran tight but not stressful. The prizes weren’t just shiny buckles or ribbons, but thoughtful touches that made everyone feel valued — even the ones who didn’t make the finals. These are the shows that build loyalty, community, and excitement.
Office help enjoying themselves at a recent event. Photo by Jenny Black.
Then there are the others — the ones where the atmosphere feels tense before the first horse even enters the arena. The rules are enforced with more frustration than fairness. The schedule is rigid to the point of punishment. The staff is frazzled, riders feel unappreciated, and every interaction feels like checking off a box instead of sharing a weekend celebrating the sport we all love. Those shows may still happen, but they lose their soul. And once that happens, participation starts to slip.
Riders aren’t asking for perfection. We all understand how much work goes into putting on an event. But we do hope for connection — for the feeling that the people running the show actually want us there. That they value our time, our effort, and the horses we bring with us.
The truth is, it’s not just about efficiency. It’s about experience.
Great show producers are the ones who remember that while they’re managing logistics, they’re also managing energy. They set the tone. They create the environment that determines whether competitors drive home proud and excited… or frustrated and ready to skip the next one. When the joy leaves the arena, it doesn’t take long before the trailers stop showing up altogether.
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Horse Nation’s own Marcella Gruchalak adding some fun and hype at a local event while waiting to interview Showcase winners.
So here’s to the event producers who keep the fun alive — who remember that these weekends aren’t just competitions, but celebrations of hard work, partnership, and community. You’re the reason riders come back year after year, not because they have to, but because they want to.
And to those who’ve lost sight of that… maybe it’s time to put down the clipboard, look around, and remember why we started doing this in the first place.
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