I have no vested interest in the tourney, but was not convinced by the initial post by Mr. Smith.

Please give us some details about what skin disease is more likely to occur due to livestock fecal matter. I am not saying there isn't, but surely you have some opinion from a dermatologist or some medical literature that tells us about the much higher risk. Crash 99's anecdotal description of respiratory problems after the tourney is also not convincing. Unless you have those same ranchers/exhibitors coming down with the same symptoms, I can't agree with your cause and effect argument.

Cokely's description of cold floors and hard mats did have some logic to it. But is there really any difference between the hard floors/mats of Salina, Oklahoma City State Fairgrounds, or Topeka? What facts show this, if so? Do people dislocate their elbows because of the hard surface of the floor or they way they fell/someone landed on them?

I fear that people are really turned off by the presence of the manure and are reaching for reasons to criticize without evidence to support their arguments. I have no problem with people not liking the site; it is not my favorite location either. But given the fact that many other tournaments, Derby being one of them, have their own real negatives, I don't think there is really an increased risk of anything at the Classic.

Please show me the facts that have been referred to to prove I am wrong and I will be happy to change my mind.