This year, the planets have aligned for me to do one week of Thermal, which I realize is vastly “cheaper” (that’s a hard way to describe it) than WEF. I am in between jobs so I have the time off. My husband will be in the desert for work anyway, so our young kids and grandparents are making the trip as well. Daycare problem solved. We are shipping in late in the week (Thurs.) and am only showing Friday-Sunday, which thankfully worked out class-wise.
No grooms, no tack stall splits (If you hear me yell, I’ve been kicked in the head trying to tack mare up in her stall, but I digress…), staying in a house that was prearranged for my husband’s job (FREE!), bringing our own hay and bedding and doing all of our own care/feeding/mucking. We are also bringing our own golf cart and I do all my own warm-ups so no pro rides. Our barn is taking a handful of horses, so it will be kind of like an adventure. I’m the only amateur, the rest are juniors who have great horsemanship skills. I will pay for a braider as I can’t even do my own hair, let alone a mane and tail --let’s be honest. So, I’m basically only paying stabling, fees, braiding and classes.
I realize that I’m lucky to have the time to do so this year and am looking forward to it! It’s not inexpensive by any means, but my bill is going to be a whole lot less than it could be.
[QUOTE=ynl063w;7945698]
Yes, thank you. Your term “on the cusp” is right on the mark here. Those who are below the cusp need not apply when it comes to this question.[/QUOTE]
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]
[QUOTE=DMK;79443291]. Shipped my horse down there myself (actually a friend and I split the trip)
2. I had a decent bank of FF miles saved up for weekends when flights were expensive (but mostly affordable), also I live in Atlanta, so I could also drive down some weekends when work permitted - on those weekends I would drive as far as I could on Thursday after work, stay at a hotel that was close to WPB but yet MUCH cheaper and get to WEF early Friday then drive home Sunday after my classes.
3. I paid for the stall in November, I put the rest of the show bill on a credit card weekly (this was before things were really expensive so it was pretty manageable) and I paid my trainer weekly. And then I didn’t show for about 3 months after as I paid off my credit card and made sure my savings account was restored to a happy place.
4. Most of all, I had a wonderful trainer who very graciously took care of my horse M-Thurs and only billed me for day care those days and I took care of my horse while I was there.
5. I bought my own feed so it wasn’t full full daycare.
6. I still had friends/contacts in SFL so on the off weeks like jumper week, I shipped him to my old farm so he could have some R&R - good for him and good for my wallet.
7. My horse was doing the adults and pre greens, and the rule I worked with back then (and as long as I showed) is no more than 3 divisions over 2 weeks and then a week off (so if he needed 2 weeks of pre greens I skipped a week of adults). But this was also when WEF didn’t have warm up classes and humpty bjillion divisions like buried crossrails, so you know, you did your division and that. was. it. So in addition to being how a horse show should be (thumps cane and growls “git off mah lawn kids”) it was also more affordable. I too can succomb to the Friday division and warm up class if it is available (LOL I just don’t think it should be available).[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Nickelodian;7944747]I am hesitant to share my numbers exactly, but 4 weeks in welly world is budgeted under 5 figures for me.
I did 3 weeks last year and came in under budget.[/QUOTE]
It looks to me as though winter circuits have certainly been done on a budget, although not by everyone on the planet who ever dreamed of doing it. OMG wait, life isn’t equally awesome for everyone who was ever born, and sometimes you just really can’t get everything that you ever wanted simply because it would be awesome for you? WAIT WHAT, WHO EVER KNEW???
I honestly wouldn’t care if I was looked down on for showing that way – I’d just do my best in the ring. But maybe it’s not allowed?
You won’t be “looked down on.” Unfortunately, you’ll still be charged. Those who do not rent a stall generally get charged a haul-in or a grounds fee - for instance, at HITS it’s $25. Last time I did a HITS show, I stayed at a friend’s farm nearby and still had to pay $50. At WEF, I think it’s $50/week. Horse shows have made a point to make sure that they get every dime they can.
ynl, I only made the point in my original post because it seems like sometimes, the horse show world is somewhat in dreamland. That’s why my very first question - which wasn’t answered - was “what constitutes a ‘strict budget’ in this case?” Most of us - just by the virtue of being upwardly mobile enough to ride or afford a horse show - are not on a true strict budget in the sense that the heating bill will go unpaid if Dobbin throws a shoe. Certainly not those that regularly do the “A” shows.
It also seems reasonable that one of COTH’s very long-term staffers, who posed the question in terms of crowd-sourcing for an article, would likely know that it’s possible to braid your own horse. We’ve had this question before repeatedly and the answers are extremely similar. Braid your own, bring your own shavings, cook for yourself, sleep in a tent on the sidewalk - it’s kind of the basics for traveling to ANY horse show (or anywhere) on a budget. If you’ve been on COTH since '03, it’s likely you’ve seen them before. Repeatedly.
Those who are below the cusp need not apply when it comes to this question.
And this? I think this is why the question needs to be redirected to make the industry seem more inclusive, not less. I’d love to see some decent discourse on what constitutes a realistic budget and what it takes to get there, rather than a veiled suggestion that if you can’t afford to participate, your perspective isn’t valid.
[QUOTE=Trixie;7945730]
You won’t be “looked down on.” Unfortunately, you’ll still be charged. Those who do not rent a stall generally get charged a haul-in or a grounds fee - for instance, at HITS it’s $25. Last time I did a HITS show, I stayed at a friend’s farm nearby and still had to pay $50. At WEF, I think it’s $50/week. Horse shows have made a point to make sure that they get every dime they can.
ynl, I only made the point in my original post because it seems like sometimes, the horse show world is somewhat in dreamland. That’s why my very first question - which wasn’t answered - was “what constitutes a ‘strict budget’ in this case?” Most of us - just by the virtue of being upwardly mobile enough to ride or afford a horse show - are not on a true strict budget in the sense that the heating bill will go unpaid if Dobbin throws a shoe. Certainly not those that regularly do the “A” shows.
It also seems reasonable that one of COTH’s very long-term staffers, who posed the question in terms of crowd-sourcing for an article, would likely know that it’s possible to braid your own horse. We’ve had this question before repeatedly and the answers are extremely similar. Braid your own, bring your own shavings, cook for yourself, sleep in a tent on the sidewalk - it’s kind of the basics for traveling to ANY horse show (or anywhere) on a budget. If you’ve been on COTH since '03, it’s likely you’ve seen them before. Repeatedly. [/QUOTE]
Trixie, I get your point. Really I do. But your point is a completely different topic than the one brought up here. And just because it has been discussed here on the forum countless times doesn’t mean it doesn’t have it’s place in an article in the magazine.
When I read the original question on this thread, I didn’t think of the term “strict budget” as “small budget” or “no budget”, I just thought of it as, “I am going to do a winter circuit, and I have X number of dollars within which to do it; how am I going to make that work?”. It’s obviously not going to be a small amount of money; strict =/= small; it means that is what I have, and I need to find a way for that to be enough money to get me and my horse through the circuit comfortably without exceeding the dollar amount that I have set for myself. “Strict” is in the budget of the beholder. If you don’t have the initial budget to even consider the possibility of even getting there, you’re really wasting your time and energy thinking about it at all.
I’d love to live on a private beach somewhere where I don’t have to work and I have a private yacht to take me out to sea wherever I want to go, as well as access to private jet if I have a reason to go anywhere else for whatever reason I might dream up. Should those who can afford that lifestyle have some decent discourse on what constitutes a realistic budget and what it takes to get there, rather than a veiled suggestion that if I can’t afford to participate, my perspective isn’t valid? Should any of them feel sorry for me that I can’t afford to live that way?
Seriously, life just isn’t equal for everyone. Some people will always seem better off than you perceive yourself to be, but be careful about that assumption. It is not likely to be true in every way in life. And there is much more to life than horse shows.
Having been to both WEF and Thermal, I did not find WEF to be any more expensive than Thermal. At least at WEF there is a possibility of winning some prize money. Thermal you can win the class and be lucky to cover the entry fee!
I took a pony to WEF for 3 weeks in 2012. I found the bills to be reasonable, all things considered. I had a weekly stall on the grounds and was on a “strict budget”, in the sense that I had a dollar amount in mind. I made a point not to buy anything extra. One division a week, limit the amount of schooling in the ring (charged by the # of times you walk in the gate). The tack stall and feed/bedding splits were on par with any other show on the West Coast. What kills you is the trainer fees, hauling, hotels, flights, etc. Again, you would be paying that all elsewhere.
I am from Seattle. The show bills at our local facility cost more!!! I worked for a top trainer for almost five years. I’ve seen the office statements from all over the country.
Wait, you mean life isn’t fair? Why has no one told me this? Breaking news!
I think there’s room for all sorts of discourse on this topic and I appreciate all of the points of view on this thread - from Nick’s tales of how she makes it work to those who are pointing out that the amount of time or money required make it hard to do on any kind of budget, particularly because of outrageous up charging and fees.
But apparently since I cant afford WEF I’m not even allowed to post on this thread. Good to know!
[QUOTE=ynl063w;7945757]
Trixie, I get your point. Really I do.
When I read the original question on this thread, I didn’t think of the term “strict budget” as “small budget” or “no budget”, I just thought of it as, “I am going to do a winter circuit, and I have X number of dollars within which to do it; how am I going to make that work?”. It’s obviously not going to be a small amount of money; strict =/= small; it means that is what I have, and I need to find a way for that to be enough money to get me and my horse through the circuit comfortably without exceeding the dollar amount that I have set for myself. “Strict” is in the budget of the beholder. If you don’t have the initial budget to even consider the possibility of even getting there, you’re really wasting your time and energy thinking about it at all.[/QUOTE]
True! There is no reason to consider economics if the winter circuits are well beyond what you can afford, and certainly no reason to resent the fact that others can afford the expense.
I am really surprised at the resentment shown by many people here, to a simple question.
I love food. I would love to go to France and enjoy the food…
I would love to go to Ireland and ride a fat, slow cob over stone walls and across green fields.
(I have no desire whatsoever to show at WEF)
My financial circumstances will never be such that those experiences will be possible. However I can (and do) cook excellent french food myself. No, I cannot get unpasteurized Camembert, darn it …
I don’t feel dissatisfied and/or excluded when I see articles about riding in Ireland, or restaurant hopping in France and how to keep costs down while doing so.
I enjoy the photos and the descriptions of experiences shared by people who have done these things and who have ENJOYED them. The people I am referring to are NOT the very wealthy, who can do anything at their whim, but those who have tried hard and saved to make it happen.
I think these are the people who are being asked for advice.
I did Indio the last year it was there and then Thermal the first year it was there. I think that’s a bit less expensive than Florida for someone who is a couple of hours drive away (so greater LA, OC, or SD area) as you can drive out for a long weekend, then drive back, work part/all of the week, then rinse and repeat. In other words, no plane costs and less hotel cost than being there seven days a week.
The first year I did two back-to-back weeks and vowed never to do that again. I was pretty tired by the end of it. I have the kind of job where you actually have to be there and there really isn’t any such thing as a personal day off. The first year I traded with someone, which meant I got to teach any extra class or two of theirs to pay them back. The next year I ditched the faculty flex day that was conveniently scheduled on Thursday and took a dock in pay so that I didn’t have to drive out on Thursday afternoon.
The trainer was pretty good about doing limited schooling the first year and not braiding both ends of the horse for those rounds and doing very limited schooling the second year. I shared a hotel room with a friend.
I’m glad I got to do it, but I’m not sure I’d do it again. Besides, one needs a sound, rideable horse, right?
The question was asking for “tips” on how to trim costs, aimed at people who can possibly (and want to) show at WEF and other winter circuits.
I am surprised to read such negative posts in response to the OP’s question.
Of course winter circuits are above most people’s budgets.
However, there are people that desire to show at WEF that may be on the cusp financially that perhaps have a special horse this year or a junior rider who’s dream they are trying to fulfill this one time, and they may be able to afford their trip IF they have advice from people who have experience at WEF and other winter circuits. :)[/QUOTE]
Exactly. I’m sure that there are lots of parents who would like tips on how to afford to get a kid a pony. Period. Who think that the people who have a horse and show are WEALTHY. Because they can’t even afford a $xxx pony kicked out in someone’s dumpy backyard facility.
So I read the original post to mean that there are riders on the cusp of being able to afford WEF and want to go to WEF, and how to do that and stick to a budget?
My stepdaughter just spent 10 months traveling the world. Who can afford that, right? Well, she worked hard and lived very frugally for a few years, then did a ton of research on how to live abroad as cheaply as possible (wwoofing, hostels, backpacking, camping) and did it. She actually wanted to do a full year, but it just was not in the budget or visa permits. But she’s happy with her accomplishments and had the experience of a lifetime.
So yeah, even a working amateur can maybe target WEF for every other year, or every third year, therefore saving up $$$$ and vacation time, and knock that one off the bucket list.
[QUOTE=Trixie;7945730]
And this? I think this is why the question needs to be redirected to make the industry seem more inclusive, not less. [/QUOTE]
But to be fair, while that is a good point, and one I think is critical for the long term success of the industry, it just wasn’t the question asked.
And I think it is perfectly fine to have an elite competition that probably isn’t affordable for the masses. You still need reasonable building blocks to get there, though. And that seems to be missing from USHJA’s thought process. And for me, the depressing part is that WEF is starting to not be that elite competition outside a few divisions and the FEI classes. It’s just more expensive because it is long in duration and stuff is pricey in Palm Beach in winter (who knew?). If I was to travel $1,000 miles in another colder direction from my house and could magically find 12 continuous weeks of showing, it’s not like I would save a ton of money over WEF except maybe in hotel costs.
But recent costs aside, exactly WHEN in the history of this industry was it financially feasible for the average person who showed to drop everything and show on the road for 5+ weeks? Or was it that we just never really had that option until recently? WEF used to be 6 shows over 8 weeks and then Littlewood popped up but it was only 2 weeks before hand and had limited participation and general disdain as compared to Gene’s show. Then the whole thing morphed into this giant showapalooza (and HITS had to play catch up) and next thing you know, your trainer isn’t in FL for 4 weeks, but 4 months.
But it’s not like that is how it always was. Your barn went down there for a few weeks, not a few months. January on the showgrounds looked like a ghost town and March was a vast wasteland. So while everyone talks about how the sport has moved out of the reaches of the average person, part of that is the sheer duration of the thing (ditto for the whole Lake Placid to Vermont extravaganza). The people who are down there for the entire time are spending a chunk of change, no doubt. But what about the people who go for 2 weeks or 4 weeks? What is their cost structure? Can that be managed on a budget? And is it worth it? To some I am sure it is, others may feel like the cost of 2 weeks in winter in SFL = 3+ shows in summer someplace else.
But after the 5 degree windchill I felt last night at the barn, I can see the impulse spend of 2 weeks in SFL in February. You must admit, it is seductive!
[QUOTE=ybiaw;7946035]
Cold here today, too. High’s only supposed to get 68-ish. Brrrrr!!![/QUOTE]
OMG! You poor thing only 68!!! Shut up before I teleport down there and beat you :lol:
But yes, unless this business invention idea I have brewing in the back of mind, or SO becomes an executive at this company. The only “WEF” I’m gonna get close to showing to “on a budget” will be with my model horses.
My trainer told me I should try to get down to FL this winter, which caused me to laugh so hard I hurt myself. I actually have the horse (which is why he suggested it), but I don’t have the money or the inclination.
Trixie is right about the fact that this has already been done to death- braid yourself, ship yourself, stay with a friend, do self-care, bring your own food, meet your trainer at the ring, etc. etc.
I don’t think there is any magical formula for making it affordable/practically feasible for most of us, so it’s a matter of making it only sort of stupid-expensive, versus REALLY stupid-expensive.
Instead of Florida, which is simply too far and really just not my thing, I’m taking my jumper to Aiken for a week in February. I’ve already written that week off into my spring syllabi, so there is the job part taken care of- if I had a 9-5 job this might be a lot harder to finagle. I’m driving him down there myself, staying at a rented house with a bunch of other people, and boarding with a BN eventer (which, I have learned, is automatically WAAAAAY cheaper than renting a stall from a H/J trainer), doing self-care.
While most of my friends will be off doing an event I am going to go to the PSJ show that weekend to do the jumpers (so, no braiding needed, although I can do that in a pinch). My trainer won’t be there, but I’ll have a friend with me to help set fences and hold my horse as needed. I can tie my horse to my trailer all day long, so I don’t need a stall or a third pair of hands. <---- this is how I would organize Florida, if I could/wanted to go. The only difference is that I would meet a trainer I sometimes work with at the ring because the $takes would be higher.
Fact is its an expensive sport. You can work to make it not so expensive but its not going to be cheap. EVER.
Maybe the article should be on…how did we get to this place? I have always wondered how we all got brainwashed into paying some of the expenses and fees we do.
DMK makes an excellent point about the length of the circuit. It is very much in the Wellington Equestrian Partners’ interest to find ways to ensure competitors can afford that marathon slog, especially now that they have to feed Tryon and Colorado as well. Once you get down to the merely rich as opposed to what GHM gleefully calls the Superrich, helpful how-to articles can make the difference between a half-filled division and a worthwhile class. This customer found a handy solution:
Others keep the string afloat by debt restructuring, i.e. making the tradespeople wait up to six months for payment. Your vet, blacksmith and groundskeeper will happily take the hit since the fear factor from the 2008 recession is still well in force among the hoi polloi. Also threatening to sue them for some imagined slight is also very effective and can sometimes mitigate the debt altogether. There are all sorts of ways to stretch that $50,000.
