By Abby Stilwell 

The rising cost of almost everything in life makes participating in equestrian endeavours such as horse showing an expensive undertaking. Although many of us consider showing to be a measure of success and the culmination of our hard work day-in and day-out, if you’re not rolling in cash, horse showing can feel out of reach. My personal experiences have been in the hunter/jumper and eventing worlds, but I assume other disciplines have similar expenses. My hope in writing this is to give other everyday equestrians some ideas about how to reduce or minimize the costs associated with horse showing. Horse show poor seems a catchy term, but I am using the phrase quite loosely. If you own a horse and your goals align with attending competitions, you already clearly have a certain amount of disposable income because everything associated with horses is costly. 

After attending local and rated shows over the past five years while re-immersing myself into the sport, I have a few insights that may help others like me who are showing on a limited budget. I hope these tips will help you get back into the show ring, too.  

1. Cost-Share  

The number one thing that has made showing a possibility for me is being able to share some of the expenses. Where I live, the closest rated shows are about five hours away, so being able to haul and share the cost of gas with friends is incredibly helpful. We have also found that getting an Airbnb makes a big difference. We can usually get a beautiful house for four to six of us at a fraction of the cost of a hotel, plus the experience is more fun when we’re all together.  

2. Be Overly Prepared  

We all want to get those precious “show miles” for ourselves and our horses, but let’s be honest, paying a few thousand dollars to attend a competition when you’re not competitive is more stressful and disheartening than its worth. I have had this experience a few too many times, when I am excited for an opportunity and end up in over my head. This was an expensive way to learn some valuable lessons and ultimately realize that I wasn’t prepared. 

I recently listened to a podcast with Karl Cook in which he said that equestrians should spend more time reading and investing in their own learning; that you can learn more from a $30 book than in an hour-long lesson at double or triple the cost. Obviously, we all still need lessons and hours in the saddle, but this really made me reflect on my own commitment to acquiring knowledge. Books, articles, and podcasts can be a cost-effective way to acquire knowledge to ensure you’re better prepared to achieve your goals. 

3. Choose Your Venue and Classes Carefully 

My best advice is to use smaller, local, or schooling shows to gain those show miles at a fraction of the cost. Spend money on high quality coaching through lessons and clinics rather than heading off to big, expensive shows. Then, when you’re well-prepared and ready to attend those higher-level competitions, be choosy about where you want to go. 

Things I typically consider are:  

• The distance necessary to travel, for obvious reasons associated with the cost of going down the road.  
• The atmosphere of the show and the professionals who will be there. The “vibe” of a venue makes a big difference to your overall experience (especially as an amateur), and you can learn so much by watching others you look up to and want to emulate. Knowing which professionals will also be in attendance, knowing who to watch in the warm-up ring or visit with and ask questions of, are things I consider.  
• The classes offered and course designers. I want to ensure there are going to be “good fit” classes for me and my horse, and that the courses will be safe and well-designed. At most bigger shows, this isn’t necessarily a concern, but certainly if you’re looking at smaller local or schooling shows, this can be a very necessary consideration.  

Once at the show, you don’t need to enter several classes each day. That’s usually not best for your horse and it costs money every time you enter the ring, so be selective with your classes. When I have only two classes on a given day, I have those two opportunities to do my absolute best. Then when I am not riding, I try to be dedicated to watching and learning from others, especially professionals I look up to. If your coach is comfortable having you join them in the warm-up ring to set fences for others, it can be a great opportunity to get more time together and this provides excellent learning opportunities.  

4. Spend Money Where It Matters   

We all want to look and feel our best, and I admit I can get a little caught up in trying to “keep up with the Joneses.” In my dream world, I would have the most beautiful show clothes and top-of-the-line tack. But if your dollars aren’t unlimited, owning a $10,000 saddle or a $1,500 show jacket isn’t your best use of precious income. It’s still important to have correctly-fitted tack and to look your best, but there are ways to do this without breaking the bank.  

A few cost-saving tips include:  

• Shop consignment. I have saved thousands of dollars doing this and ended up with some incredible high-quality items.  
• Watch for end-of-season or clearance sales. I have scored some great stuff by just waiting for it to go on sale.  
• Sell the tack or riding apparel you don’t need.  
• Take really good care of everything. Tack and apparel that is well cared for will last an incredibly long time, especially if you’ve been able to purchase high-quality items.  
• While at the show, muck your own stall and feed/walk your own horse. Many barns have people hired to do this and it becomes part of “the split,” but it’s always worth advocating that you’d like to do this work yourself.  
• Learn how to braid instead of paying for this service. I have yet to master this skill, but I am working on it! It’s certainly an art.  

Much of what I’ve shared may not be groundbreaking, but I hope it’s still useful to those on a budget, especially if you’re looking to pursue this beautiful passion without breaking the bank or putting additional financial strain on your families. Budget-friendly horse showing is possible, you just have to be strategic with your priorities.  

More from North Country Equestrian with Abby Stilwell

Photos are courtesy of Abby Stilwell.