Criticism & Coffee: Turning Horse Show Feedback Into Growth
Even the best-run shows get complaints (and usually before you’ve even finished your morning coffee). Here’s why taking feedback in stride — and turning it into growth — is the real mark of a great event producer.
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If you’ve ever helped run a horse show, you already know that feedback is like horse hair — it gets everywhere, whether you asked for it or not. You can plan the perfect weekend: beautiful weather, smooth classes, smiling volunteers, prizes that sparkle in the sunlight — and still someone’s going to mention on Facebook that the food truck ran out of nachos or the announcer mispronounced their horse’s name. It’s inevitable.
I’ve been on both sides of the arena on this one — the competitor who had constructive criticism to offer and the board member who was receiving it. And here’s the thing — how you handle that feedback, especially the not-so-glowing kind — matters more than anything else you did all weekend. Because while ribbons fade and arena dust settles, professionalism and willingness to improve are what really make an event stand out. And competitors want to know they’re being heard.
The Post-Show Reality Check
The Monday after a show is when it all hits. The trailer’s still half-unpacked, your phone’s still blowing up, and someone’s already sent a four-paragraph email about the gate order. It’s tempting to shrug it off and focus on what went right — because a lot did go right. But the best producers know that even good shows can get better.
Constructive criticism isn’t punishment; it’s progress. The trick is to sift through the noise, find the useful nuggets, and turn them into next year’s improvements. Maybe that means reworking the schedule, clarifying stall assignments, or setting up better signage. Every event has room to grow, and the willingness to do that is what separates “fine” shows from fantastic ones.
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Listen Without Getting Defensive
When someone critiques your event, it’s easy to take it personally — after all, you poured your time, money, and caffeine supply into making it happen. But most competitors aren’t trying to attack you; they just want to feel heard.
Responding professionally and calmly goes a long way. Even a simple, “Thanks for your feedback, we’ll take that into consideration,” shows maturity and leadership. It tells riders that their opinions matter — even if you can’t change everything overnight.
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The Professional Approach
Running a show is like riding a hot-blooded horse: you can’t control every move, but you can control your reaction. Taking feedback in stride doesn’t mean ignoring it; it means acknowledging it, evaluating it, and communicating about it.
If riders mention that warm-up times were confusing, tweak them next year. If people loved your volunteers, shout them out publicly. The more you show that feedback turns into action, the more loyalty and respect your event earns.
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Create a Culture of Growth
The best shows don’t just happen — they evolve. They improve because the people behind them are humble enough to listen. They understand that when competitors feel heard, they come back. And when they come back, they bring friends.
A culture of growth doesn’t mean everything’s up for debate, but it does mean creating space for honest communication. When people trust that their input matters, they’ll offer it more thoughtfully — and that’s how events thrive year after year.
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Let’s face it: you can’t please everyone. (If you could, someone would’ve figured that out long ago.) But you can earn respect by being approachable, responsive, and open to learning.
So take a deep breath, read the comments with grace, and remember — the best event producers aren’t the ones who get it perfect. They’re the ones who care enough to keep getting better. And to those who can’t handle the constructive feedback, maybe find a role in the event that still lets you contribute but shields you from some of the more pointed comments.
And hey, next time someone emails you about the porta-potty placement, just smile and think, “That’s one more chance to improve.”
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