This weekend Zone 5 will be hosting a benefit show at Orari, between Christchurch and Timaru. Unlike a typical show which is hosted by a single club, this is a show hosted by all Zone 5 clubs to raise funds so that we can put on the best possible NZDAC later in the year.
The benefit show will be the second largest agility show ever held in the South Island (excluding national events), and it will require a team effort from lots of people to make it a success.
Who’s Running This Thing?
Zone 5 covers the bottom half of the South Island, from the Rangitata River south. This includes all members of South Canterbury, North Otago, Otago, Taieri, Queenstown and Southland clubs. If you live within this area, you are helping to run the show!
The jobs roster will be published later this week, and will include everyone from these clubs who has entered. On top of doing the specific jobs you are assigned, please step in to build courses, help pack up at the end of the weekend etc, just as you would at your own club’s show. The workload should be shared as evenly as possible across all Zone 5 competitors.
The canteen is also a shared responsibility. If you have time to do some home baking before the show, that would be fantastic. Otherwise, you can make a cash contribution towards the cost of purchasing the other items that we’ll need.
If you live north of the Rangitata River, you are in Zone 4 and you are not required to chip in – but all assistance will be greatly appreciated. We have already received several kind offers of help from among your ranks – thank you for your support!
How Will the Show Make Money?
The organising committee has done what we can to keep costs to a minimum, and we have received some fantastic donations from the agility community. We’re also offering more classes than a typical show so that we can maximise the income we get from entries, and will earn some more through raffles and catering on the day.
One special feature of benefit shows is that the judges typically don’t charge back any expenses for their travel. We have a large panel of judges, which means that you get the opportunity to run a variety of course styles, and they get the chance to run their own dogs during the weekend as well. Please remember to be extra nice to all of our judges and thank them for their efforts!
What Will the Money Be Used For?
Venues that are large enough to hold an NZDAC don’t come cheap. There are also plenty of hidden costs associated with hosting hundreds of people for four days. While the entry fees will be higher than for a normal event, they won’t cover everything. Every zone fundraises so that they can put on the best possible event without pricing it beyond competitors’ reach, and this year it is our turn.
The organising committee has been looking at prices for portaloos recently. These are surprisingly expensive, especially as we want to splurge and get the fancy “flappy” loos where you can’t see what everybody else had for breakfast. If you want to excrete in luxury this Labour Weekend, please give us a hand and help to make our benefit show the best it possibly can be!