Running Colt Eliminator as stage 1 What do you think?

[Thomas Porter]

The Double Down format is going to run the "Eliminator" as the first stage of main match. Have seen some clubs do this too. Don't think I like it like that. What do other shooters think about running it that way? Liked running it as a "warmup" run before main match started. At Amarillo it was run after stage 1 started anyway.

[Kelli Shryock]

I think it should be seperate from the main match. I like to go for broke on the Eliminator, a five or six stage match I maybe more conservative to try and stay clean. Do like going for broke though.

Craig Shryock

[Scott Allison]

That idea stinks.

[Jim Ed]

not spending $$ for a run I dont get...

[Jerry Moore]

It appears to be a money saving format for CMSA, not time saving. I think they have missed the point of why most folks sign up for the eliminator, which is to get a run in before the main match, to get rid of their and their horse's jitters, and get used to the arena. It's for fun. Most folks like to let loose and run for all they got and hope for the best, not really expecting anything. I think it should be run the day before the main match starts, as it has always been done ( until recently) For 90% of us it ain't about winning money.
Most merchandisers sell certain products at or below cost to get people to come into their stores,( a lead item) expecting more customers and knowing they will spend money on other things while they are in the store. The eliminator to me is a" lead item", something fun, something affordable, it gets folks excited and draws them in, without that or something like that to entice folks to one of the big shoots there is nothing to separate it from every other shoot we do. Why would you pay $80 - $120 for 1 maybe 2 stages if you really don't think you got a shot at winning. Chad, Charlie, Rock, John, Kenda, Natalie,Tammy, etc. they could fall off, maybe????
You end up paying for 2 runs you don't get, one of the eliminators, and with a 5 stage match, one there.
They have been trying to "fix" the eliminator for the past couple of years, but it wasn't broken, until they started "fixing" it.
With that said CMSA events are still an excellent value compared to other horse events, and I'll still go to the events that I can afford to go to, just won't enter the eliminator.

[Connie Ricketts]

I do NOT like that idea. I am a 4 so, I pay $80.00 to run At least one run before the main match in the eliminator. What if I miss a balloon on the first stage of the main match/ 1st eliminator stage, that most likely will take me out of the 2nd stage of the eliminator and I will have "donated" my $80.00 for nothing. At least if I get to run the 1st eliminator stage, without it being combined with the 1st main match stage, and miss a balloon, I would have at least gotten the chance to run and extra stage. I did not like it when they combined 4, 5, and 6 all together either. That is not fair for the 4s to run against the 6s OR a level 1 to run against the level 3s. That change was not good, now this...If we have to run the eliminator LATE the night before the main match starts, that is FINE with me. When we go to a shoot, that is what we want to do is shoot !!!

[R.D. King]

Foremost in all CMSA publications is the idea of fairness of competition. Classes exist to place skill levels with skill levels. Someone, somewhere had an old fashion idea that a gender split was necessary in order to maintain fairness and someone else had enough wisdom to create senior classes. So, how is it now justifed as a level playing field to group seniors with younger atheletes and 1,2 and 3 in the same division, then, continue with gender splits? It really looks like a means of enlarging the cash pot for certain people.

[shirley visnoski]

I don't like the concept and will not enter the eliminator if it is part of stage 1. Like others, I have used the eliminator to get my horse used to the arena (sometimes the only way you could get in once the banners and balloon setters area was set up) and get a practice run in. It has also allowed me to try to speed things up and see what happens without giving up my event chances. I always thought of it as giving my money away, but felt the benefit I got from it was worthwhile. Not anymore!.

[R.D. King]

Hi Shirley:

I realize that all horses are different, but I've had success settling my horse by allowing her access to the arena the night before. This mare has always been a handful when it comes to arenas. A light would turn on in her head the second she stepped into one and the rodeo was on. I started allowing her to lead around the arena the night before, just to look it over. Then, after each run I'd dismount before exiting. Now she's ten times the mounter shooter I am, because she waits for me and I don't have to use her up in a "practice" run.

[Donnie]

I don't like using the first stage of the match as the first stage of the eliminator. If I'm going to pay to be in the eliminator, I want to run all stage of the eliminator seperately. I'm like Thomas in that I like using the first stage of the eliminator BEFORE the main match starts as a warm up or a "blow-out" stage. I can run it without fear of missing and screwing up the match. My girls like having the elimator before the match starts to help them calm their first run jitters. I won't be signing up for the eliminator anymore where the first stage of a match is also the first stage of the eliminator.

[Jim Huff]

Wow there sure seems to be a concensus here. Is any one in favor of this? I don't know if CMSA is monitoring these boards but someone needs to point this one out. I don't have a dog in this hunt because one I'm not going to any of these "Big" shoots abd two I stopped donating my entry fee to the eliminator a couple years ago, but I'm amazed at how many folks are talking about not going to these shoots as a result of the new format!

[Dottie McDonald Linville]

I see that Brady has added a blog post on WSH about this very subject. I would be interested in reading your thoughts after you read his intrepuation on the subject. That is if you want to share.

[Thomas Porter]

Bradys new blog addressed the "Double Down" format. It explains it very well & answers common questions. It only mentions the Eliminator as an example of past changes. On this forum we are voicing opinions on current changes in the way the "Colt Eliminator" is run at big matches.