It’s FRIDAY! Time for the weekend! And time for another contestant in the EN Blogger Finals. Tonight’s episode features Jessica Keating, who is here to give us her perspective on the topic “Money in Eventing.” Enjoy Jessica’s previous contest work by viewing it here. Critique and vote in the poll below.
Money in Eventing
At this year’s AEC’s, the distribution* of competitors was as follows:
3.8% – Advanced
5.3% – Intermediate
11.7% – Preliminary
20.9% – Training
31.4% – Novice
26.9% – Beginner Novice
*Values extrapolated from Chattahoochee Final Scores. Yes, I used the word “extrapolated”
Of the almost 500 entrants, approximately 80% were entered in Beginner Novice through Training. That means that they provided nearly 80% of the entry fees, nearly 80% of the audience for sponsor advertising and nearly 80% of the riders were probably absolutely terrified of the Advanced course and very happily let the 3.8% have a go at it. If you also consider that the lower level competitors probably pay these upper level riders for lessons, training and showing we must consider the very healthy financial backing that is provided at 3’3 and under.
As a lower level competitor I know what I do to fund my very expensive sport: weasel money out of my fianc̩e! Just kidding! Ok Рonly partially kidding. In addition to fleecing funds from my significant other, I have a second job teaching aerobics, I help my trainer at the barn when I can in exchange for lessons, I volunteer at horse trials so I get a free schooling pass and I really only spend money on myself when it involves the horses. Who needs anything other than riding clothes and a saddle, anyway?
In order to get a better picture of what other lower level riders do to sustain their sport, I interviewed some friends and some strangers (thank you!) to find out how they get the most bang for their buck. Ha! I had no idea when I first got the idea to poll some other riders that I would be so affected by the responses. It is amazing to me that we, as a community, will bust our rumps day in and day out just for the chance to compete recreationally. What other sport sees so much commitment, dedication and yes – insanity?
Jamie Carleton, a 16 year old from Connecticut saves her birthday money and plans her show season out carefully with her parents to try and make ends meet,
“We often offer rides to friends so we can split costs. I also attend a lot of (well run) schooling events that offer a true test of the level, as this saves money on entries and still gets my horse and me the experience we need.”
Brianna Caroll Boyle, a 32 year old PR manager and part time grad student calls horseback riding “financially ruinous” in the same breath she admits to taking on freelance PR work to finance her riding,
“My biggest challenge is my fiscally conservative husband, who is (wisely) insisting that I continue to lease and not own a horse right now. In addition to leasing, which slashes costs immensely, I try to purchase most of my tack used. I also scour used clothing and tack sites (Tack of the Day is a fave), hit up tent sales, and spend way more time on eBay and Amazon than is healthy.”
Julia Bitler, a Beginner Novice rider from Debary Fl is a girl after my own heart,
“My mother wanted to buy me an expensive purse. I told her I would rather have an air vest. It’s all about what I make my priorities.”
Crystal Passino, a Consultant from Northern Virginia has a plan of attack (I’m talking bulletized lists, calendars and a five year strategy) for competitions,
“I always hunt for barns within trailering distance from the shows because private facilities are always cheaper than the actual show grounds.”
Kate Wentz, an equine veterinarian from Raleigh, NC saves money by providing all maintenance and care for her horse virtually free. If only my graduate degree had the same payback!
Kate is an avid bargain hunter and, “for the big events I want to attend, I save $20 a week until I have enough saved up to go.”
Jennifer Stout, a 32 year old clinical research coordinator from Durham, NC jokes that “I’m going to start interviewing for a sugar daddy…only I’m not so sure that I’m really joking. ;)” In the meantime she does barn chores, house and pet sitting and runs a concession stand at football games to help finance her three (!!!) ponies.
In the interest of brevity, I cropped out a lot of the content that these ladies shared with me. This is unfortunate, because each of their stories were hilarious, self effacing and effortlessly motivating. You all inspire me. Go Eventing.
