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Even with a CDS/USDF/USEF show, I managed to cut my expenses way back for the month of May. Whew! And since the show was local, I didn't need to put any gas in my truck. Last month I spent more than $175 just in gas for the guzzler. I also worked hard not to buy any tack or gear this month. I wasn't completely successful, but at least I kept that spending under a hundred bucks. One last comment - my coworkers brought up the Romney thing. They know I ride and asked if I wasn't shocked at what Mrs. Romney spends. My answer was this: I expect to spend $25,000 this year. Does that make me a bad person? Some hobbies are more expensive than others. Some people make more money than others. I don't think it's appropriate to pick on people just because they have more money than I do.  5/31/2012 12:36:12 am
I agree, horses are VERY expensive. I try to rationalize that I could be smoking two packs of cigarettes a day, eating out at restaurants a couple of times a week, and going to a gym with a personal trainer. And then, I could be traveling and buying jewelry and clothes and going to a fancy hair stylist and...but I choose to have my horses.
lytha
5/31/2012 05:04:58 am
Fantastyk, I have heard there is something called a pedicure for humans that is like a hoof trim but somehow ...enjoyable.
Karen
5/31/2012 07:24:25 am
EXACTLY! ALL of my "extra" money is spent on horses. I don't buy fancy clothes (just the basics), I bring my lunch to work every single day, and I drive an economy car. If I ditched the horses, I could travel more often, buy a luxury car, and spend a lot of time at the spa. I like my current choice!
lytha
5/31/2012 05:00:30 am
I asked my man to read your blog tonight. You know we have an endurance/dressage connection, you and me, so I wanted him to understand that, as well as realize the horsekeeping costs around the world.
Karen
5/31/2012 07:22:24 am
Lytha, I agree with FV - horses are part hobby, part lifestyle choice. BUT, its worth remembering that there is a whole spectrum of horse costs as well - from the backyard to the full-service box stalls. In college I had my horse at a co-op stables and was able to support my horse by working 2 to 3 part-time jobs. Now, I did have to clean his stall every day and feed the horses a few times a week, but if a "starving student" can do it, anyone can do it (albeit passion is required!).
Karen
5/31/2012 07:27:25 am
Sarah - that's one reason i am writing this series. Some people think that horses are too expensive. If the Romneys listed their costs, we would all be overwhelmed at the price. I just want to show that a "regular' person with a "regular" salary (I am a teacher) CAN train and show their horses. I spend a lot more than some people, but I also spend a a whole lot less than others.
hammerhorses
6/1/2012 05:37:54 am
Well, all things considered (aka: not riding, just maintaining), we spent a measley $320 on our ponies this past month and that included teeth floating, annual vaccinations, hoof trims and feed. All of our fencing is correct and they are mostly eating pasture at this point (gotta love the pacific northwest rainey green spring! plus their daily grain and supplements)
Karen
6/1/2012 05:43:12 am
Having your horses on your own pasture cuts down the cost of owning for sure! I spend $750 on just board and my trailer. That was 50% of last month's bill! Comments are closed.
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About the Writer and RiderI am a lifelong rider.
I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010. Welcome to my dressage journey. 
Photo by Lori Ovanessian
About Speedy GSpeedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)
About IzzyIzzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at Second Level. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
October 2020
Bakersfield Dressage approved!
FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
I love her stuff!
National Rider Awards
Lapel Pin
State Rider Awards
Ruby Rider Award, 2018
State Horse Awards
3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018
Working Towards:
CDS Sapphire Rider Award Third Level: 63.514% Third Level: 62.105% Fourth Level: Fourth Level: 2021 Show Season
Show Rating (***) CDS/USDF/USEF (*) CDS (s) Schooling (c) Clinic (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic (Q) Must Qualify 2021 Pending …
5/16-17 El Sueño (***) 5/23 TMC (*) 6/12-13 SB (***) OR 6/19-20 El Sueño (***) 6/27 TMC (*) 7/3-4 Burbank (***) OR 7/17-18 El Sueño (***) 7/25 TMC (*) 8/14-15 RAAC (Q) (***) 8/29 TMC (*) 2021 Completed … 10/24-25 SCEC (***) 11/7-11/8 SB (***) 4/10-11 SCEC (***) 2021 Qualifying Scores
Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) 2nd Level Qualifying 3 Scores/2 Judges/60%: Score 1: 60.610% Bhathal Score 2: Score 3: CDS Championship 2nd Level Qualifying 5 Scores/4 Judges/61%: Score 1: Score 2: Score 3: Score 4: Score 5: Stuff I ReadBy Topic
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