Mich:
G11 or, the S90, imo...as you need it sooner than the one SG is pitching;
(the specs on the cam SG is suggesting look amazing, but no available, yet.)

Here's another idea: while "working", GOOG local cam joints that might have
rentals. Go rent a decent DSLR, and wide to med tele lens, and give that
a whorl.

No xpert, and I haven't been to your "shoots", but from eyeballing your pics,
you are faced with a few issues, some which are going to be just "fixed" with
any cam, imo:

-those long shots, even with good telephoto, will often not provide for a cam to
throw the flash photons that far. I've gotten very lucky at ~20 feet, but with
a Canon 40D and add on strobe head.
-ISO is your friend: it only takes 20 seconds to crank up the ISO for those in the barn/shade shots...
get any cam off "auto", go to Aperture priority, and crank the ISO to 400 or 640 or...that increased
"speed" offers you the opportunity to cancel flash and use the speed for hand held, eg 1/30 sec. f/ 8,
no flash, at ISO 400+.

No P&S on the planet, or even DSLR, set to auto, is going to cover the dramatic
dark/light at distance shots, imo. It takes some fiddling...
Not trying to bore you, ;>)

Try a rental; places rent lenses all the time so I think some joint would rent
you a used cam or, one of their demo cams for the day, with decent variable
focal length lens.
GL, mD

PS: all this photo stuff sounds more difficult than it is, when written: like describing
how to drive a manual trans, lol!

Sage advice from mD. Good pictures are more a result of what's behind the camera than what's in the camera. The G11 is a great camera. You won't be happy with it (or any of the other ones recommended here) unless you know how to use the settings and features to your advantage.

Did you go to a store and handle the G11 to make sure you like how it feels in your hands? It's bigger than the SD models and not really pocketable. If you are OK with that and the fact that it's only 5X zoom and only shoots SD video, then it's good choice for you.

I have had similar issues shooting dog shows indoors. They're usually in big buildings with decent lighting but it's always a challenge. As others have recommended, it's all in the settings. Of course you want a camera with the ability to shoot at high ISO with minimal noise and a wide aperture. Crank up the ISO, shoot with a big aperture and be steady, especially when shooting moving objects.

amacman - I hear ya.

mD - You're definitely not boring me! I'm really enjoying the edumuhcation! :yourock:

Ray - There is a Ritz Camera store in the mall. I think I'll head on over there tomorrow and check them out. I've got four pocketable Canons at my disposal (mom & sisters) if ever needed, so I'm fine with the new camera not being pocketable. Thanks!

Yes! Exactly! You would know what I'm talking about! The show arenas are very bright, but a challenge with P&S cameras.

I will study the new manual and surely drive you all crazy with questions and pictures of cows over the next few months.

http://www.probz.com/style_emoticons/default/Camera.gif

Here's one to consider,,,Olympus E-PL1. Sells for $540 with 14-42mm lens for less than $600. You can use other lenses from pani, nikon or leica. Looks like you need a fast lens (f2.8) for that kind of work.
Or you can get a used nikon d40 and get a used prime lens (f1.4) for less than $200. If you use fast lens and shoot from good angles, you may not need flash.

One thing to consider too, M, is that if you're going to use longer shutter speed to let in more light, you may want a monopod. Tripods are, comparatively, a pain to set up and more bulky to carry:

Amazon.com: monopod

I like my Manfrotto 679B.

well MD

with the 580ex II flashes on the DSLR's you can set it up as a master/slave or a remote master flash. You can get a pretty good fill from that. I do that at weddings.

+1 on the Lumix. My P&S and DSLR are both Lumix/Panasonics. The P&S is 4+ years old and still works like new.

In the DSLR world, turn up the ISOs or get faster lenses. Try the Metz flashes. Canon flashes suck IMO.

Stopped by Ritz Camera yesterday to check out the G11 and S90... they do not carry Canons any more. :saad:

I think I'm going to wait for the Lumix LX5.