What is killing recognized dressage shows?

[Manni01]

germany does not support horse breeding. Officially they support riding horses because it’s considered a sport because the Grundgesetz states that Sport is important for the well being of the citizen. the FN does not pay taxes because of that and they do get financial aid.
IMO it might be ok concerning the top sport, but other then that it’s a joke and IMO they should pay taxes… because the average rider is not supported at all….

So if you buy a young horse the breeder did not get any support unless he does it for business and can deduct the sales tax ( but then he has to pay taxes on his profits…)

I do believe prices for feed (hay and grain) are more affordable in Germany… I bought a foal from a breeder and payed 80 euro per month to him to have it raised… ( no farrier and vaccinations and deworming included)

[ThreeFigs]

Let me guess – an Arabian?

[enjoytheride]

Yep.

I will say that I have friends on the same breed and they score well at recognized open shows against other more “traditional” dressage breeds, but having multiple verbal comments from a judge kind of draws the “there’s no such thing as breed bias” statement into the light. It makes me feel like when my horse is naughty or doesn’t halt square due to poop it’s due to their breed, but when they score well it’s in spite of their breed.

It’s aggravating because when you experience things like breed bias or railbirds people tell you that it isn’t real.

[Equibrit]

Places like these;

https://www.baysg.bayern.de/zentren/schwaiganger/253573/index.php

https://www.die-deutschen-landgestuete.de/gestuete.html

Deutsches Olympiade-Komitee für Reiterei u. Bundesstützpunkt | FN

[atl_hunter]

You should consider a sponsorship drive - that is how the stock breeds get all the fun swag.

I competed in a H/J benefit show last weekend. There was a $20 gift certificate for a liquor store for amateurs winning first in any class. I ended up with $80 in liquor gift cards, which was amazing. The division awards were giant silver platters - haven’t seen anything like that since the 80’s. But…there were all kinds of sponsors.

All those stock breed giant checks, saddles and trailers come from sponsors. The sponsors are generally national equestrian brands or wealthy patrons.

[2tempe]

@Mander

That’s just to enter. Trailering at my barn will be about $80, coaching fees ($100/day), tack stalls (~$100), lodging (it’s far enough away from home to be very inconvenient to drive back and forth) and other miscellaneous expenses.

I made a trainer switch some years ago for a variety of reasons and I have never had one regret. BUT my biggest surprise was that he does not charge for coaching at shows!!! Who knew? It made me love him even more…

[pluvinel]

@Equibrit

Places like these;

https://www.baysg.bayern.de/zentren/schwaiganger/253573/index.php

https://www.die-deutschen-landgestuete.de/gestuete.html

Deutsche Reiterliche Vereinigung

Deutsches Olympiade-Komitee für Reiterei u. Bundesstützpunkt | FN

Betreuung und Trainingsstätte der Spitzenpferdesportler - DOKR und Bundesstützpunkt in Warendorf: Informationen und Lehrgangspläne

As the former owner of a “pink paper” Hanoverian, I am very familiar with the history of the various WB registries. They date back to the times when horses were working animals. The German city-states had the state studs standing high quality stallions to provide a service for the local farmer/breeder to bring his mares. The consequence is that the govt could then requisition the horses in times of war. Each registry focused on producing a horse with qualities that were suitable for certain jobs…from heavier horses for heavier pulling to lighter riding horses. After WWII, as horses became obsolete for transportation or as work animals, those WB registries, repurposed and marketed their hoses as sport horses.

In modern times, the WB registries just provide umbrella organizations for the selection of breeding animals to meet the modern stated breed objectives.

Some great history in the book, The Hanoverian.

The DOKR is the German Olympic Committee and focuses on the highest level competitors equivalent in the US of the “High Performance” division of the USEF.

[HorsesinHaiti]

Chicago vs the WV turnpike, I see why they prefer the Turnpike!

[Escada]

Firstly, the expense. When the majority of Americans are trying to make ends meet, showing just doesn’t make it into the budget. Most shows require you to get a stall instead of showing out of your trailer and that can easily put you over $500 per day.

Secondly, the atmosphere (sometimes). When I evented, the community really helped each other at shows. Dressage seems, forgive me, more uptight.

The judging is all over the place as well. I once got a “0” on a movement that I started late (after the letter) but did accomplish. I’ve got the film to prove it.

A friend in Europe shows for about 50 Euros a day by doing two classes and trailering in.

I think insurance costs have a lot to do with the price of shows as well.

[Escada]

Per my friend in Germany, I’d stay you are spot on. She’s in a nice barn with an indoor, 1/2 day turn out and everyone cleans there own stalls. Everything but vet, farrier and lessons is about 400 euro.

[Escada]

Ridiculous!