Can anyone tell me how much WEF cost? Kind off topic but it goes with expensive horse showing topic
[QUOTE=skydy;7439208]
:eek: What happens when you don’t “do well” and it is then NOT “worth it”, to them? 
[/QUOTE]
Then I have to try EXTRA hard to make the next show count.
[QUOTE=Nickelodian;7440041]
Not me. Give me ribbon or give me death![/QUOTE]
Glad I’m not the only one. Actually, I’m more "Give me a picture if you want to make me super happy (even if I have to buy it). but give me a ribbon or give me death.
I’m in the give me ribbon or give me death camp too! (Okay maybe not quite THAT dramatic but I do love my pretty ribbons!) And I do love buying horse show pictures too.
[QUOTE=emilawrence;7440109]
Can anyone tell me how much WEF cost? Kind off topic but it goes with expensive horse showing topic[/QUOTE]
I think it varies so vastly for anyone who you ask this question of, that it’s not a fair question to ask.
The prices for stalls, fees, and divisions are clearly lined out in the prize list. But how much a trainer charges for day care, riding, hauling, set up, etc is all over the board. My WEF experience is certainly much less than someone else’s.
I truly think that one of the dumbest rules the USEF enacted was that you need to give out 7th and 8th place ribbons. I get it if its indoors or a major AA horse show with large numbers in the classes, but for the most part nobody wants them. Every horse show manager in the country has boxes and boxes filled with purple and brown ribbons. I suspect that Hodges Badge Co. lobbied for that rule LOL
[QUOTE=chunky munky;7440339]
I truly think that one of the dumbest rules the USEF enacted was that you need to give out 7th and 8th place ribbons. I get it if its indoors or a major AA horse show with large numbers in the classes, but for the most part nobody wants them. Every horse show manager in the country has boxes and boxes filled with purple and brown ribbons. I suspect that Hodges Badge Co. lobbied for that rule LOL[/QUOTE]
Except that if you wait 20 years, then the purple and blue ribbons look the same 
Hey now! It has been a goal of mine to get a purple ribbon! After many greens and many browns I finally succeed in my last hunter classic (with a score of 78 yay me!!)
[QUOTE=chunky munky;7440339]
I truly think that one of the dumbest rules the USEF enacted was that you need to give out 7th and 8th place ribbons. I get it if its indoors or a major AA horse show with large numbers in the classes, but for the most part nobody wants them. Every horse show manager in the country has boxes and boxes filled with purple and brown ribbons. I suspect that Hodges Badge Co. lobbied for that rule LOL[/QUOTE]
Heh.
(I’m super proud of my ugly brown eventing ribbon, though. I was a fish out of water, but it was fun to bring that home. it was even better to bring home the blue at my next…and last…attempt at eventing. The box has now been checked. )
It is funny how different ribbons mean different things to people. I never care to pick up a 7th or 8th placed ribbon in regular division classes. However, I still have my 8th placed brown ribbon from the first national hunter derby I placed in as it was a big milestone for me and also a large, hard class with a lot of pros and very nice horses.
It would probably be the same sort of deal if I were to place 7th or 8th in a prestigious show such as Devon or Harrisburg. It is hard work getting there and even harder work to earn a ribbon once you do get there.
I’m sort of stunned and terrified to hear that there are A shows that don’t give prize money in a rated division? I hope that is not a new trend:(
That was news to me. Not to sound mercenary but as a show mom, I want it all: prize money, a picture, and a ribbon (of any color.) Lately there are more and more shows without photographers and I can’t take a still photo over fences to save my life:( Video I can do.
But are there lots of A shows without prize money? This is news to me. I’m willing to put up the money for shows if my DD is competitive in that division in that show and has a decent chance of winning some money back. I don’t plan on her winning money, but if she does that helps a great deal and may mean she can do additional shows as has happened over the past several summers.
Over past couple of years I put my foot down about the derbies because they are so expensive and it’s an additional day of braiding too. I wouldn’t let her enter a hunter derby at an A show until she had done some at schooling shows and could be reasonably competitive - and until she could do the high options and get those points. It seems a lot of wealthy people can just let their kids enter everything for the experience, but I’m not going to be the mom paying for the more seasoned rider’s prizes. Does that make sense?
And she pinned in the first hunter derby she did at a local A a few weeks ago at the Atlanta Winter Classic. A purple ribbon! And $125. Both very, very welcome. She won’t let that big purple ribbon out of her sight and took it back to college with her. It was cool. We love horse showing, and I will watch her ride until the cows come home:)
Many of the lower Hunter divisions do not offer much prize money. Even A/Os at smaller rateds can be stingy, entry fees are a bit less though. I remember getting a 5th in 3’ Adults out of over 30 entries and getting, like, 27 bucks- no add backs. Only around a $500 purse to split 5 or 6 ways to start with.
Have to go into the Hunter Classics to get any real payback except a mega circuit show with sponsored stakes in the divisions so there’s 5k to split.
[QUOTE=findeight;7440632]
Many of the lower Hunter divisions do not offer much prize money. Even A/Os at smaller rateds can be stingy, entry fees are a bit less though. I remember getting a 5th in 3’ Adults out of over 30 entries and getting, like, 27 bucks- no add backs. Only around a $500 purse to split 5 or 6 ways to start with.
Have to go into the Hunter Classics to get any real payback except a mega circuit show with sponsored stakes in the divisions so there’s 5k to split.[/QUOTE]
I assumed the person who was stunned at the lack of any prize money at rated shows was referring to nationally rated divisions. Most of the lower hunter divisions aren’t rated at all no matter what the rating of the show that is holding them. The 3’ Adults have never been a national division anywhere, so the lack of decent (or any) prize money is not surprising. As you said, entry fees are consistent with the prize money offered (or not offered).
ETA nevermind - just read the entire post and saw A shows and derbies mentioned, so my assumption might have made an ass of me. Unless it was a 3’ derby.
im not starting any trouble but i was just saying for example. i honestly didnt know how much ribbons cost until you all told me (thanks!) its just how i feel about the whole A circuit now. I have bins full of ribbons and i appreciate every single one of them. I have the top prizes that I have won displayed in my living room. it was just more of a rant and out of frustration because i am going through major riding and showing withdrawl. luckily tomorrow will be warm enough and a day off to go ride my horse that i have missed dearly. barn visits fix my craving for short term but being in the saddle makes everything better!
Purple is my favorite color, so I was tickled when I finally won one at an event! :lol: I’ll always pick up a ribbon, because the horse worked hard for it.
If you want really nice ribbons, go to a dressage show. They must put all the money they save by not needing jump decorations into the ribbon fund, because I won this monster for a 4th place finish in a Training level class at the dressage equivalent of a B show. (Our only recognized dressage show thus far.) Massive, shiny, rosette-y ribbons make the circles worthwhile
[QUOTE=JenEM;7440736]
Purple is my favorite color, so I was ticked when I finally won one at an event! :lol: I’ll always pick up a ribbon, because the horse worked hard for it.
If you want really nice ribbons, go to a dressage show. They must put all the money they save by not needing jump decorations into the ribbon fund, because I won this monster for a 4th place finish in a Training level class at the dressage equivalent of a B show. (Our only recognized dressage show thus far.) Massive, shiny, rosette-y ribbons make the circles worthwhile :D[/QUOTE]
That is lovely! Sigh. Love horse shows! Cute chestnut too.
[QUOTE=Alternative1;7440473]
It is funny how different ribbons mean different things to people. I never care to pick up a 7th or 8th placed ribbon in regular division classes. However, I still have my 8th placed brown ribbon from the first national hunter derby I placed in as it was a big milestone for me and also a large, hard class with a lot of pros and very nice horses.
It would probably be the same sort of deal if I were to place 7th or 8th in a prestigious show such as Devon or Harrisburg. It is hard work getting there and even harder work to earn a ribbon once you do get there.[/QUOTE]
You bet!
I highlighted this section to show how if you really want to show you can make it work.
So get up a little early and pack a lunch and maybe breakfast and dinner also while you are in the kitchen. If the food is too expensive then do something about it yourself instead of complaining. There are plenty of people who bring their own food because of the expense and lack of quality.
That requires planning and preparation and I realize those are not popular qualities these days. But if you really want to show figure out a way. It sounds like you might not enjoy it since you reference the $.90 ribbon as the reward…
We pack our own food and drinks. This saves about $20-40 out of a $700 bill. It’s not exactly the “lack of preparation and planning” - it’s the fact that even if I do pack a couple of sandwiches, wear used clothes, haul my own horse, board out of a backyard entirely self-care, it’s still out of the question for many, no matter how hard you try to make it work.
