So what can be done to make Dressage more affordable?

[lenapesadie]

Even more good info! Thank you for sharing!

[sparkygrace]

There probably are differences. I know the local show charged a little more for entries than some others. They had better prizes, though. The Oregon Dressage Society has a “league” show series, which is more affordable. There are year-end awards and a league championship show, but I think that show has not happened for a few years. There are also plenty of schooling shows with good judges, which is a low-key, more relaxed way to compete. I wrote a long response way upthread about what we do locally.

[lenapesadie]

There is a relatively active schooling show series here too.

I honestly think that rated show costs reflect the cost to produce a rated show. I’m enjoying investigating my hypothesis.

[sparkygrace]

It’s good to investigate! The reality is: licensed dressage shows are expensive to run and expensive to enter. If you are happy showing in a "B’ league show, or a schooling show, find some fulfillment in the experience. Make a connection with other competitors. I have met some very wonderful people at lower-level shows. I’ve also seen the snobbery from some people at licensed shows.

[lenapesadie]

Agree agree. It is what it is! I’m blessed to have a horse at all and that’s plenty enough for me.

But I really like facts so hence the number gathering.

[SillyHorse]

A big problem with somehow keeping the results of schooling shows is that unless the shows are all run according to some standard, the scores are meaningless when compared with each other. Our series is run using USEF rules for essentially everything but attire, and we do use some “L” grads to judge. Scores earned at these shows can’t be compared with scores earned at, for instance, a schooling show held at a barn, using a local trainer without a judge’s license as judge, and without USEF rules for saddlery and equipment. There’s nothing wrong with the latter type of show, but you can’t lump together scores from shows that have different rules.

[lenapesadie]

Good post!

[sparkygrace]

Oh, I agree. Schooling shows are just for the experience. Conditions and judges vary. I even judged one once and I have not gone through a program. It was teeny, tiny, show though.

[SillyHorse]

USDF actually has a Regional Schooling Show Awards program.

USDF, Your Connection to the American Dressage Community

It’s been discussed on this forum.

New Idea from the USDF - Schooling Show Regional Rankings/Awards

I really like this idea. It’s great for the folks who can’t afford recognized shows and pros who want to get the kinks out of young horses in a cheaper venue than a recognized show. They are looking for feedback and you can email them at kwright@usdf.org One of my suggestions will be to hold the L program grad accountable to a standard. Currently, they aren’t being held accountable for breaking rules, bad behavior, etc. Any complaints are put on file but not addressed.

[AnastasiaBeaverhousen]

Thanks for posting that link, Sillyhorse. I wasnt aware. It seems to be a good program that may be a way for amateurs to show without breaking the bank.

Thanks for the research that was posted. I had been wondering for a while about the actual costs of putting on a rated show.

I had the experience many years ago of volunteering at both local hunter/jumper and dressage shows and it seemed to me that although the hunter/jumper shows were ostensibly more technical and complicated , it was actually the dressage shows that proved to be more difficult.

YMMV.

[Casey09]

It is interesting to think about the differences between Europe and the US. I am so naive that I had no idea until a saddle fitter mentioned that at home they went to shows all of the time and they were really inexpensive to do. I was in shock. I had confessed that I get so nervous it’s not really very fun, and she said that made sense because you’ve put a lot of money in and may not get to do too many. Part of the nerves for me is just worry about the horse acting up in a different place, but I thought it was fascinating that it is so different. I’m not saying that could be done here - dressage isn’t terribly popular in my area.

[Manni01]

But I am not sure how successful it is… When I left, my GMO was not doing it… maybe that changed since then

[SolarFlare]

@Piaffe11

I wish my area had more schooling shows, but it is my understanding that if a judge who is rated with our overarching organization judges at a schooling show that was not registered with the overarching organization - they are stripped of their judge status. Not helpful keeping costs down

I think in another thread you mentioned you’re in Ontario? I run a dressage schooling show series, and the EC rules changed a few years ago so that unsanctioned shows can use certified judges. Judges need to be either Recorded or Basic status only. Once they earn Medium status, they can no longer judge at unsanctioned shows (I know this for sure, because one of my booked judges got promoted to Medium status and I had to remove and replace him )

[SillyHorse]

@jlm0305

We have a local show series that gives out its own medals! I think it’s a really awesome program, especially for people like me who aren’t interested in showing in USDF rated shows and just want to have fun at local shows.

You have the opportunity to earn Bronze, Silver, and Gold medals at each level over the course of the show season. You have to show at three different shows, and earn six scores above 60% for Bronze, five above 68% for Silver, and four above 73% for Gold. I think this is so great for those who don’t have the means to get a fancy horse or trainer that can help them through the higher levels necessary for USDF medals. For me personally, I like going to shows, but I’ll never go above first level; I simply don’t have the talent or means. But my OTTB and I can do Intro and Training, and this program provides a goal for us to strive for!

We may be in the same area! If so, let me point out that you can earn scores over multiple years on different horses, just like the USDF medals.

From my GMO’s website:

• Riders can earn any medal in any order.
• Scores count for the rider- you can ride any horse to earn the scores.
• You can ride any test in that level to count for the medals
• Your scores will continue to count over the years. You do not have to earn your medal in one
year.

[xQHDQ]

The more volunteers, the cheaper a show can be. My GMO’s rated shows have often had to hire temp people (no horse experience) to do things like gate keeping and running because we often don’t get enough volunteers (at something like $20/h). Show management is a hard job, so that gets outsourced too. If that could be done by volunteers, it would make shows cheaper. Facility rental is what it is, but if we need to hire people for set up and take down, that adds expenses, versus members helping out.
Just having volunteers work behind the scenes to secure sponsorship or layout prize lists, etc, would help.
Even if the show didn’t cost less to enter, these things may allow for better awards or cash back or something that would be a bigger incentive to enter.

[eightpondfarm]

Volunteer gatekeepers…huh. Should be plenty available…

[SillyHorse]

@xQHDQ

The more volunteers, the cheaper a show can be. My GMO’s rated shows have often had to hire temp people (no horse experience) to do things like gate keeping and running because we often don’t get enough volunteers (at something like $20/h). Show management is a hard job, so that gets outsourced too. If that could be done by volunteers, it would make shows cheaper. Facility rental is what it is, but if we need to hire people for set up and take down, that adds expenses, versus members helping out.
Just having volunteers work behind the scenes to secure sponsorship or layout prize lists, etc, would help.
Even if the show didn’t cost less to enter, these things may allow for better awards or cash back or something that would be a bigger incentive to enter.

See, this is the point where I would say, “People, if you want a show, you have to help us make it possible by giving a few hours of your time. If we don’t have enough volunteers, there will be no show.”

[Piaffe11]

@SolarFlare

I think in another thread you mentioned you’re in Ontario? I run a dressage schooling show series, and the EC rules changed a few years ago so that unsanctioned shows can use certified judges. Judges need to be either Recorded or Basic status only. Once they earn Medium status, they can no longer judge at unsanctioned shows (I know this for sure, because one of my booked judges got promoted to Medium status and I had to remove and replace him )

But doesn’t that seem silly to you? It does to me. Only basic/lower status judges can go to schooling shows? My coach is a higher status judge and wants to go out and share her knowledge, but is restricted due to this. It just feels like another money grab, which EC is very good at.

[Equibrit]

I think the question should be; How do we create an affordable alternative to “expensive” dressage.
(USEF found they had to deal with the NSBA at WEC.)

[SolarFlare]

@Piaffe11

But doesn’t that seem silly to you? It does to me. Only basic/lower status judges can go to schooling shows? My coach is a higher status judge and wants to go out and share her knowledge, but is restricted due to this. It just feels like another money grab, which EC is very good at.

We offer W-T, Training, and First Level divisions (plus a TOC class). Recorded and Basic judges are perfect for our needs. There just isn’t enough demand for higher levels at a schooling show to require a Medium + judge, and I don’t see the value in getting a Medium + judge for a grassroots show. What feedback is a high-level judge going to give a W-T rider just starting off in dressage that they can’t get from a Recorded/Basic judge?

At the same time, when we were planning this series, one of our must-haves was certified judges. I think it adds a level of confidence for riders that their tests will be judged according to standards, with someone who’s gone through some sort of process to ensure they have some competence/knowledge (rather than Joe Schmoe down the road judging).

It’s certainly better than a few years ago, when certified judges were banned from judging any unsanctioned shows. I even looked into getting sanctioned, but it just wasn’t worth the time, effort, and money to do so.