Hello all!
We’re crowdsourcing here for a Chronicle article and looking for your input.
If you show at a winter circuit and do so with a strict budget, how do you make it work? What DIY or money-saving tips have you found make it possible to swing showing in the sun?
Thanks! Molly
I posted on your Facebook thread, but basically, the concept of “showing on a budget” to head down to Florida for one of the circuits is ludicrous. So I’m not sure what you’re going for here. What exactly is a “strict budget” in this case?
There are certainly ways to save some money – do you own braiding, groom for yourself and others, do your own cooking, sleep in your car or something while bathing in the wash stall. Hey, you can even borrow your horse’s Mane & Tail and combine expenses!!
…but we’re still talking about nickels and dimes in comparison to the true cost of showing at “A” shows, when you add in the fees, training, stall rental cost, fuel, oh, and fees, and fees, and fees.
The bottom line is that any rated horse show is very expensive. And if we’re talking a complete circuit, say, ten or so shows at HITS, we’re looking at roughly half of the median household income in the U.S., give or take some money. Every time I think about attending a rated show, I basically budget a number that is close to a large chunk of my monthly housing expenses – and we’re talking locally for me, where I can get in my horse trailer and be at Upperville in under an hour, doing my own grooming and cooking and stabling. In my 30s, and making more money annually than these median households for a family of me and a cat (and two horses), this kind of expenditure is not feasible and will not be for the foreseeable future – it’s an occasional treat and that is it.
The better question might be “how do we make horse showing more accessible to average families?” or “how do we make horse showing more inclusive?” rather than pretending that if you eat nothing but ramen noodles for a while and do your own braiding, you can totally manage to swing heading down south to show in the sun.
I slept in my truck with a flysheet over the windows back in 91 in order to show at WEF with GHM. I would do it again today ,if I had the horse!
[QUOTE=Trixie;7943466]
I posted on your Facebook thread, but basically, the concept of “showing on a budget” to head down to Florida for one of the circuits is ludicrous. So I’m not sure what you’re going for here. What exactly is a “strict budget” in this case?
There are certainly ways to save some money – do you own braiding, groom for yourself and others, do your own cooking, sleep in your car or something while bathing in the wash stall. Hey, you can even borrow your horse’s Mane & Tail and combine expenses!!
…but we’re still talking about nickels and dimes in comparison to the true cost of showing at “A” shows, when you add in the fees, training, stall rental cost, fuel, oh, and fees, and fees, and fees.
The bottom line is that any rated horse show is very expensive. And if we’re talking a complete circuit, say, ten or so shows at HITS, we’re looking at roughly half of the median household income in the U.S., give or take some money. Every time I think about attending a rated show, I basically budget a number that is close to a large chunk of my monthly housing expenses – and we’re talking locally for me, where I can get in my horse trailer and be at Upperville in under an hour, doing my own grooming and cooking and stabling. In my 30s, and making more money annually than these median households for a family of me and a cat (and two horses), this kind of expenditure is not feasible and will not be for the foreseeable future – it’s an occasional treat and that is it.
The better question might be “how do we make horse showing more accessible to average families?” or “how do we make horse showing more inclusive?” rather than pretending that if you eat nothing but ramen noodles for a while and do your own braiding, you can totally manage to swing heading down south to show in the sun.[/QUOTE]
Very well said. The way we save money is on shipping since we live close to Gulfport and it is $1 a mile for the rest of the year. Wish they had more shows at this wonderful facility -but they don’t…So then we are off to Conyers, Brownland, TX, Tryon, OK, SC, not many AA venues around here, has always baffled me that this great facility is only used 1 time a year
All I know is that I paid for my horse to ship down and he is going to have to find his own ride home!
Have heard good things about USHIP and friends who have used it (and horses arriving safely home). In all seriousness, have been competing in FL for the past 4 years but was shocked when sent the shipping bill this year (all variables being the same on my end…# horses/truck etc).
And to think circuit has not even started… Or let’s not!
I love Trixie’s post so much. I hear ya sister!
[QUOTE=mroades;7943475]
I slept in my truck with a flysheet over the windows back in 91 in order to show at WEF with GHM. I would do it again today ,if I had the horse![/QUOTE]
I was going to say, “And by budget, you mean you and the horse sleep on the trailer and share Top Ramen?”
[QUOTE=Trixie;7943466]
I posted on your Facebook thread, but basically, the concept of “showing on a budget” to head down to Florida for one of the circuits is ludicrous. So I’m not sure what you’re going for here. What exactly is a “strict budget” in this case?
L just called bc she can’t login. Then she called again and said that we needed to take our laptops tomorrow because they were our phones. I told her that we would have to back into the wireless and she was a B about it and was like well we don’t have a choice. Well I am the only one who knows how to do it. She doesn’t want to learn how to do anything herself. I can’t stand the sound of her voice. I’m ready to shoot myself just to get out.
There are certainly ways to save some money – do you own braiding, groom for yourself and others, do your own cooking, sleep in your car or something while bathing in the wash stall. Hey, you can even borrow your horse’s Mane & Tail and combine expenses!!
…but we’re still talking about nickels and dimes in comparison to the true cost of showing at “A” shows, when you add in the fees, training, stall rental cost, fuel, oh, and fees, and fees, and fees.
The bottom line is that any rated horse show is very expensive. And if we’re talking a complete circuit, say, ten or so shows at HITS, we’re looking at roughly half of the median household income in the U.S., give or take some money. Every time I think about attending a rated show, I basically budget a number that is close to a large chunk of my monthly housing expenses – and we’re talking locally for me, where I can get in my horse trailer and be at Upperville in under an hour, doing my own grooming and cooking and stabling. In my 30s, and making more money annually than these median households for a family of me and a cat (and two horses), this kind of expenditure is not feasible and will not be for the foreseeable future – it’s an occasional treat and that is it.
The better question might be “how do we make horse showing more accessible to average families?” or “how do we make horse showing more inclusive?” rather than pretending that if you eat nothing but ramen noodles for a while and do your own braiding, you can totally manage to swing heading down south to show in the sun.[/QUOTE]
Love this post so much! I was waiting for people to reply about how they are doing weeks on their “shoestring budgets” while the rest of us enjoy their yearly showing expense as our annual salary. 
Agreed with Trixie. As far as I’m concerned the winter circuits were designed around the elite. Nothing cheap about the locations and expenses. I could see the average horse person showing a week or two at one of the winter circuits, but I can’t imagine the average person being able to afford to relocate to new location and show 8-12 weeks straight.
That being said, I did show at a local winter show last year. Facility has numerous covered arenas so even with wet weather, they can accommodate a small rated 2-ring show. Show manager runs a two week ‘winter classic’ series for those people who don’t go to Thermal. That being said, I only showed in February because my horse is a head shaker at was the only time of the year he would not head shake and I could ride and show him. (After that show I decided to prematurely retire him due to the HS).
All of the above being said already, there are a couple things we are doing in an effort to allow DD one weekend at Gulfport.
1)the horse she is riding is not hers (she doesn’t have one at the moment), and he is being used by a couple other people during the six weeks of competition so we can split expenses drastically.
2)fortunately for us, there is a military base nearby with a Navy Lodge, and the rooms have kitchenettes. We will be cooking 95% of our own food, and the rooms are cheaper for what you get than staying out in town locally.
3)DD saved her Christmas money from her great grandparents and from her aunt and uncle because she knows if she wants a souvenir or two she will have to buy them.
4)We will be making the looooong drive down the day/night before, and leaving as soon as she is done showing on Sunday for the drive back in order to cut down on number of nights needed to pay for hotel.
5)a friend has absolutely generously offered to let us stay the night at her place on the way back should we get too tired to make the full drive home, saving us hotel money.
6)she knows if I get sick we will not be able to go, but that is a fact of life over the last 3 years so she is used to it by now.
7)She makes great friends wherever she goes so she has people far and wide to keep up with as a young woman. She has learned that she can only benefit from having a wide net of friends. That way if she gets down there and realizes she forgot her gloves or spurs or something, she knows that she has plenty of friends to borrow a pair from so we don’t have to buy a replacement. That seems simple, but it is not - so many competitors are not pleasant to each other, but DD likes to make friends with everyone. After all, you are going to see them at shows all over throughout your career if you stay in horses, so make friends early and make an effort to keep them. She’s loaned out everything from gloves to the jacket off her back and her pony to someone else to show (back when we could afford that) and she would do so again in a heartbeat. That kindness comes back in waves. And she is a truly kind girl.
9)Her trainer will be there for the whole time, but we are only going for one weekend and it will probably be the last weekend. So the money for a few lessons she would have had over that time will also be stored for the trip.
All in all, we have calculated that with staying on base, buying our own food, reducing the number of nights we actually need a hotel, and socking away the money that we would have spent on a weekly lesson, we will come pretty close to being even for the trip. Her grandparents contribute for her lessons and they know we are putting said money aside, so there won’t be any awkward questions from them about going to the show when we get back
As it will likely be the only big show she gets to do this year, we are trying hard to swing it. She works so hard for other people in her time off, I really hope we can make it work out! Everyone deserves to live a dream for one weekend in their lives, for sure.
Oh, and we won’t be looking for gorgeous Lugano diamond earrings in the VIP tent at WEF, although if anyone wants to send me those incredible looking earrings I will accept them graciously, lol!
A similar question would be: how to give Trixie a standing ovation while you are on the floor laughing?
My #1 budget tip for WEF is Netjets. Or hitch a ride on your friend’s jet.
I think that the best advice I would give someone is to discuss actual costs including trainer splits with your trainer ahead of time, and have a good idea of what they are going to be. Especially if you are showing with someone new. You might be pinching pennies, but this does not usually translate to the entire barn. I have heard many people exclaiming in horror over their split bill in the show office (and have wondered a few times how it is possible that their split with a different trainer is four times more than mine. Maybe their horses sleep on Rumpelstiltskin straw?). There is nothing more uncomfortable than watching people pay thousands of dollars to go show with someone and only to end up screaming at them on their cell phone in the show office. Horse shows are supposed to be fun. The apartment offices (Thermal), set-ups, grooming stalls etc. all cost money, and this amount varies from barn to barn. Hotels/rentals are also usually more expensive near the bigger venues, so if you are staying at the Super 8 or in the back of your car to save money, be aware that you will still have to split the bill for trainer/groom accommodations at the Marriott. I have seen people sit down with their show premium and their regular day fees and try to figure how much each week will cost, only to be shocked when they see the bill.
Another ‘hurrah’ for Trixie’s post. I have a very well paying job, but there is no way I can spend 1/2 - 3/4 of my paycheck on attending horse shows in Florida, not to mention the time spent away from my job and spouse. If I was to fly down there to show in the amateur classes on the weekend, then ‘shoestring’ budget is entirely out of the question because I would need a trainer to ride and manage my horse the 4 or 5 other days I am not present. My husband is certainly supportive of my equestrian pursuits, but there is certainly a limit to things, and I would be equally annoyed if he spent that much money on driving around the country with his boat or playing golf.
I went to WEF once as a groom in college and slept in the gooseneck part of a horse trailer on a pile of (clean) horse blankets. This was over 15 years ago. I didn’t ride or show at all because of the expense of having my horse there, even if I was to live in the horse trailer, eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, do my own braiding, etc.
Horse showing in the sun, in my opinion, is not feasible for the large majority of equestrians, no matter how many cost cutting options you take. I might be able to do it in a few years one time if I saved up for it, but I can think of a lot of other things my $35k could be spent on than lining the pockets of horse show offices and $12/bale of hay. I can take a cruise around the world for 180 days for that much!
It is a dream of mine to show at WEF one day; the financial reality of it and real life just don’t seem like it is a wise thing to do.
So, based on the responses here I have honestly been afraid to respond myself, given that I am a person who has chosen to spend my dollars on going to WEF.
For me?
I drive my own horse, take my own hay/grain/shavings, don’t show in any prep classes, no training rides, do my own work when I’m there, stay with a friend, cook my own meals, etc.
Yes, it is pennies on the dollar in the grander scheme, but every penny counts when you’re counting them (hehehe).
There is no way I could do the whole circuit, but all told going to WEF (cost wise) is not that much different for me than any other “A” show I attend. The whole sport is elitist, I’m just choosing to spend my hard earned dollars to jump horses over sticks for fun.
Thank you Trixie!
It’s been years since I showed at WEF, but through fortunate circumstances, I actually managed to “budget” WEF after I moved from Fort Lauderdale to Atlanta. But this was in the late 90’s so take it with a grain of salt.
[QUOTE=Nickelodian;7944109]
So, based on the responses here I have honestly been afraid to respond myself, given that I am a person who has chosen to spend my dollars on going to WEF.
For me?
I drive my own horse, take my own hay/grain/shavings, don’t show in any prep classes, no training rides, do my own work when I’m there, stay with a friend, cook my own meals, etc.
Yes, it is pennies on the dollar in the grander scheme, but every penny counts when you’re counting them (hehehe).
There is no way I could do the whole circuit, but all told going to WEF (cost wise) is not that much different for me than any other “A” show I attend. The whole sport is elitist, I’m just choosing to spend my hard earned dollars to jump horses over sticks for fun.[/QUOTE]
What Nickelodian says goes for Trixie here in the DC Metro area. Pick and choose, do your own work, don’t try for a series. We are fortunate to have Upperville, Culpeper, Middleburg Classic, Loudoun Benefit, Deep Run, Keswick, and the wonderful nearby Maryland shows (among many) but to do it on a budget, a calendar comes out, work and trainer’s schedules are consulted, and a show or shows is aimed for - fingers crossed and the creeks don’t rise.
Trixie did a HITS Culpeper (ONE SHOW) last time at an A show. We hauled out from home, showed day 1, were put up, horse and all, by Elghund and his wonderful wife who live nearby. We hauled back for day 2 and went home, tired by very happy. Trixie has already detailed what proportion of her monthly/annual bills doing this right cost her.
Buy your riding attire used but of excellent quality - don’t feel like you have to be on the cutting edge of what “everyone” is wearing “today”.
Show the winter circuit is not a budgetable item for us. Showing A rated locally is. 
Check airbnb and craigslist for less expensive room options. If you have a pickup truck, you can look into renting a camper for the duration of the show. Or, better yet, buy one off craigslist and then resell it when you get back. You’d probably get a good deal on it now, and selling it in late winter/early spring could even turn you a profit.
Yep - just count me as another who thinks the idea of showing on the FL winter circuit on a budget is absurd.
Chron - I have no suggestions for you, as showing at WEF or any of the big A shows is EONS from what I could possible afford. I don’t even consider it for a moment.
Now Chron - if you want tips on how to attend local shows, or events on a budget, well then I have TONS of tips because I have been doing that for decades.
But the winter circuit?!? Hahahahahaha yeah right - I can’t even dream of affording the entry fees let alone all the rest of it.
There is a reason why This Article shows hoards of well clad ladies and gents, and a Maserati on the lawn - THESE are the types that can afford WEF.
And to quote the photographer:
“I went there with a lot of curiosity and could not have expected such a high level of professionalism, dedication and resources. The equestrian circle of Wellington is not an easily accessible world; it is very much about being elite, both in terms of professionalism and wealth. People in Wellington literally live with horses and travel with them in between major events. Most of them have lived this life since they were 5 years old or so.”
So, based on the responses here I have honestly been afraid to respond myself, given that I am a person who has chosen to spend my dollars on going to WEF.
Nothing against that - there is absolutely nothing about showing horses - whatsoever - that truly makes sense from a financial perspective, unless you’re one of the precious few who actually manages to sell horses for a profit or win high money classes. For most of us, it IS about money vs. enjoyment returns, and many of us decide we get enough enjoyment out of showing to continue paying the outrageous costs.
It’s just that we’ve beaten “horse showing on a budget” to death in a number of other threads, and I’m quite curious about what is supposed to constitute a “strict budget” when referencing the winter circuit in the current era. On a budget compared to WHAT? (or “whom?”)
I’m not trying to be negative - I love showing, too. I’m just pointing out that there’s a very large dichotomy between the average U.S. family budget and being able to afford showing in the sun.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
