Savannahs village school have come up with wanting to hold a companion dog show to raise money for the Blue Peter appeal, would they have to apply for a licence and have insurances

Yes

do you know how you would go about organising a companion dog show, and do you know anything about them, i am new to all this show stuff!

You need to apply to the KC for a licence and also have insurance (like any event)  Is a companion show a good way to raise money?  Don't forget about all the costs of licence, insurence, rosettes or will you get them sponserd?

Roxanne

Hi, we held one 3 years ago in aid of our DNA reasearch fund raising.  We made over £300 profit from
it, so I would say it is definetly a good way to raise money.  The licence does not cost a lot, and you may find that the schools insurance already covers events, or a small fee may extend the cover to suit.  Make sure they get it well advertised, local press, ads in pet shops, and schedules available at local open shows and training classes. Also the date chosern can have a big effect on the profit line - dont clash with any local  show!  Rosettes are a biggish expense - we cut this cost a lot by cadging a whole load which people had won (cat show ones are particularly impressive) and then getting just centres re-printed with our details, and gluing them in.  Ok, so they did not all match, but we got the sets sorted out for classes pretty well, and everyone got a very big rosette.  We only had to buy the BIS, RBIS BPIS  ones, and the middles.  Or you could try to get local business to sponsor the orsettes for various different classes.  Also write to lots of pet food companies, we got loads of prizes, also ring numbers, ring tape and prize cards, all for free from various companies.  We ran a points system competition, on top of the BIS award, so there was rosettes and prizes for the most p;oint wins, this encouraged people to enter lots of classes, and also give the novelty class entrants a chance for something on top of the class prizes.

Hope some of thyis helps,
bye
Gwen

I organised a companion show last year in conjunction with a lot of other dog events (displays, stalls, Good Citizen, microchipping down stays, etc etc etc) at a Dog Day.

We had to have insurance which was about £70 - this was the lowest quote, the rest were around the £110 mark, as they are a school they may be covered for events though.  Rosettes were just under £50 and we cadged prizes for the classes.  Local business are often willing to sponsor a class with money for rosettes and goods.

Make sure you have enough people to staff it - minimum of two taking entries plus someone to cover breaks, a couple of "runners" are also useful (especially if it is a hot day and drinks are needed) and stewards.  Plus people to set up and take down the rings. 

Thanks ever one, I have to go up the school tomorrow to see the head. you have given me a start I will get on to the Kennel Club in the morning before I go so she can see what outlay there will be to start out, should get sponsers quickly for the rosette', and I can get Friskie and winalot dog food and treats, as my son is a driver for them, mybe a good place to start to get freebie's

for our companion show my dad sends out 'begging' letters to lots of dog related companies and most will reply and send out some prizes, even if it is just 10 samples!  Also for their benifit we put their logo on the schedual so people can see who's sponserd.

Good point, Ice Queen, very important to promote your sponsors. 

Cobby dog are very good at handing out the free ring numbers etc, as are Eukanuba, but you often have to be very much in advance with Eukanuba, as they have a 'show quota" and dont send outmore stuff once this has been met!  Skinners are great too, and sent out loads of 15 kg prizes for BIS etc.  And dont forget your local Pedigree rep - they can get hold of lots of stuff for you!
bye
Gwen