Ideas from a rider on a budget for getting back into the competition ring.  

By Abby Stilwell 

Let’s begin by recognizing that horses and “budget friendly” rarely belong in the same sentence. The day-to-day costs of ownership and care are already significant, and once you add travel, entry fees, and competition expenses, the price tag climbs quickly. So how can adult amateurs make competing more attainable? There may not be one clear-cut solution, but there are practical ways to manage expenses, stretch a budget further, and help more adult amateurs find their way back into the ring. 

1. Spend where it counts. 

Take top-quality lessons with a coach who gets you, matches your energy, and helps you reach your goals. Many of us don’t bat an eye about spending hundreds of dollars on new blankets, the latest supplement, or some gorgeous tack, yet the truth is that none of those things are making us (or our horses) any better. If you’re making an investment, it should have a strong correlation with your own growth and improvement. Now here is where the teacher in me shines through a little — DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Between lessons, we need to remember to train with a plan and put the skills our coach is teaching us into action. 

With my friend, Sheilah, after our final rounds at the Blue Sky Classic Horse Show, Edmonton, AB. 

2. Choose competitions and venues that are the right fit for you and your goals. 

Be picky. Identify shows that are going to be a positive experience, taking into consideration things like footing, stabling options, number of rings, show fees, volume of competitors, and availability of a coach (ideally your own coach). Additionally, consider if you need to be attending rated shows or if you can gain similar show-miles and experiences attending local or lower-level competitions. I recently made a last-minute decision to change divisions at a show, recognizing that I didn’t need to be competing in an Equestrian Canada Gold 3’0 Hunter ring after taking the winter off and only jumping twice before heading there. I saved myself some money by competing in the 0.9m Jumpers (AEF Wildrose Sanctioned) instead and was still able to learn lots and have a great time. Don’t get me wrong, we would all love to be showing at Spruce Meadows, Thermal, and Thunderbird for multiple weeks every year, but for many of us, we need to thoughtfully identify other options that won’t result in the bank repossessing our homes. 

3. Travel and accommodation are a lighter hit when you split the cost with a group.  

For myself, living in the north, attending competitions almost always means travelling, and with the cost of fuel (and everything else) it helps if you’re not going alone. Attending competitions as a barn family or with a friend can really help. Splitting fuel costs, groceries, and getting an Airbnb can save you hundreds of dollars. At the most recent show I attended with a group of lovely ladies from the barn I’m fortunate to ride at, we rented a nice five-bedroom house that cost us just $195 each for four nights. Had I gone to this show alone, that would not have been the case — you can’t even get a hotel for one night at that price!  

4. Soak up as much “free” as you can!  

You’re paying to be at a show, so use it as a learning opportunity even when you’re not in the saddle. Listen and watch other coaches, observe the warm-up ring, network with other equestrians, and find as many opportunities as you can to take in the entire experience. If I remind myself that I paid $950 in show fees for a grand total of seven minutes in the competition ring…it’s depressing. Whereas, if I use this show as an opportunity to learn and connect for 12-15 hours a day, I’m getting much more bang for my buck. Also, remember that things like ringside bottles of water, the pancake breakfast, competitors’ supper, wash racks, and other amenities are built into your fees — enjoy!

Our barn family sits together watching the grand prix ring on a chilly afternoon.  

5. Make a plan.  

There’s nothing worse than spending your hard-earned dollars to go into the ring unprepared; we’ve probably all done it a time or two and it feels defeating and wasteful. After one year of going crazy and attending more shows than my bank account allowed, I realized that it’s much more effective to map out the show season. My best advice is to look at your budget, identify the competitions you’d like to attend, and then set goals that you’ll work toward, ensuring you’re ready to be competitive. 

If you’ve read this far hoping for a discount code or some magical trick to make showing completely affordable, you’re disappointed. Competing your horse will likely always be an expensive endeavour, but if we’re intentional and mindful, at least those dollars will stretch a little further. Besides, the ultimate goal for most of us isn’t those fancy red ribbons. It’s the moments. The memories. The opportunities to test ourselves and the bond we share with our equine partner. 

More from North Country Equestrian with Abby Stilwell

Main Photo: Me with my coach, Lynn Macyk, after winning a class.