We've been to the Dixie Stampede many times and love it. There's really not a bad seat in the house. Most times when we reserve tickets we request the "North" side because we're from Michigan (since the show is set up as a Civil War style North vs South), but it really doesn't matter, we've had both sides and the show was great every time. The horses are available outside to look at before the show (up to about a 1/2 hour before, I think), and they are all available after the show too, all of the performers stay in the ring to sign autographs and take pictures. We generally book our tickets a day or two in advance and have not had problems.