Yesterday I invited readers to share their ideas as to why Region 8 had the most NAMHSA members when the population of the states in that region are much smaller than those of other regions. To refresh your memory, here is the chart of current members:
R1: 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming)
R3: 11 (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah)
R4: 15 Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, North & South Dakota
R5: 19 (Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana)
R6: 20 (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North & South Carolina)
R7: 28 (Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee)
R8: 35 (Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan)
R9: 24 (Delaware, Maryland, D.C., New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia)
R10: 21 (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island)
R11: 5 (Canada)
And here is the state population chart:
- Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Missouri are relatively rural states with exposures to real horses more frequent which helps create interest in them.
- Coupled with that, the Amish, German Baptist, and Mennonite communities expose people to horses and pique interest.
- Proximity to Kentucky and its horse industry influences interest in horses and provides jobs.
- Real horses are cheaper to board away from highly populated areas so more people have the opportunity to own one in these states. (Or to take lessons or lease a horse.)
- Buying land to keep your own horses is cheaper as is hay and grain.
- Less traffic on highways means getting to model horse shows is easier and so people are more willing to travel to them.
- The harness and horse racing culture has roots in these states and people are exposed to horses at county fairs and other racing venues.
- Strong 4-H Horse & Pony programs in all four states provide access to horses along with support in learning about them, caring for them, riding, and more.
- The Indiana High School Rodeo Association and other high school supported equestrian teams foster interest and access to horses.
So from that list, it seems as though exposure or access to real horses may be the beginning point, or at least a big part of it, in influencing a love of horses. And for those who fall in love with horses through that exposure and cannot own a horse, model horses are an affordable alternative.
But is that too simplistic? Possibly. There are some people who seem to be born loving horses. Where does that come from? And how does it translate over to model horses and collecting?
I don't know the answer, but I do think we've hit on some very plausible reasons as to why Region 8 has the most NAMHSA members while having far fewer people to draw from.
If you have any more thoughts or comments, send them my way (horsiemama8@gmail.com). And thanks for the responses that have already been shared with me.
Back to Hoosier shows tomorrow! Stay 'tooned!
Can't forget that Indiana in particular has Stone, which has/had considerable reach. 4-H programs often have model horse shows and seminars, and 4-H is strongest in R8. Trade and industry is also pretty large in the Midwest, there's a reason Indiana is known as "the Crossroads." Perhaps there is just more exposure in local tack shops as it's easier to get models there then California, per say
ReplyDeleteHere's my take on it: Most people don't bother with a NAMHSA membership unless they're holding a show or entering NAN. The only NANs in recent memory were held in Kentucky, which is an easy drive from Region 8. No surprise, Region 8 has a higher membership than far flung areas like California or New York.
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