| I think you do weigh up a number of factors when planning your calendar for the year - fuel costs, travelling time, number of arrows shot, record status or not etc. I do enter quite a lot of shoots, and must admit to a preference for the record status York Rose and FITA stars, and I still harbor hopes of getting my 1200 rose badge at some stage. I also just like the atmosphere at these events. HOWEVER, there are also times when I welcome a nice relaxed shoot, perhaps with shorter distances and not too many arrows to get through, especially if it's close by (therefore don't have to get up at the crack of dawn!). This is often the case after several weeks of bigger tournaments when I perhaps have a slight case of "tournament fatigue" - the smaller shoots seem to recharge my batteries. I can also see the value of these shoots for archers just starting out on their competitive career.
Fuel cost is definately an issue for me this year though, and I guess it must be for others too. I do hope that all the shoots on the calendar survive as perhaps this is what the reduced entry scenario is down to.  |