Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Fair warning, I am NOT tracking my pony dollars in 2013. I do not consider my husband and I to be in any shape or form well off. We work very hard, are careful with our money, and go without some things in order to have other things. With that said, the amount I spend on a hobby is frightening. There are American families (and even more non-American families) who live on less than what I've spent this year. That doesn't mean I am going to give up my horses, but I just don't want to know in such exquisite detail how much money this whole thing costs me. I was discussing this blog series with one of my colleagues the other day. He pointed out that I shouldn't feel so bad as even he knows that I don't do a lot of things so that I can do this. He pointed out that Hubby and I don't eat out a lot, go to the movies, shop for clothing or jewelry, buy new cars, etc. He was right of course, but still ...
Happily, I was able to keep September's expenditures to a pretty low number. This might be the least I've spent in a month all year. We got a small pay cut this school year (2.73%) which means I have a little less spending money to toss around right now. There's also the distinct, and very real, possibility that California's kids will go to school up to 20 fewer days next year. If that happens, my pay will be cut by more than 10%. There are several propositions on the November ballot that are designed to temporarily "fix" public school funding, but most Californians are mistrustful of our legislature and their ability to correctly handle our state's finances. We shall see. For now, I am just going to ride, take lessons, attend clinics, and start showing again in the spring like I've been doing. As someone once told me, there's no point in borrowing trouble from tomorrow.
Interesting to me that CA is thinking of shortening the amount of school days as a way to cut the budget. Indiana has went thru budget cuts the past few years - I work as an admin. asst. at an alternative high school. Our school district, and those around us went thru staff cuts and programs being eliminated.
Karen
9/30/2012 10:40:45 pm
Kelly - this year alone, if things don't go the right way during the election, our year has been shortened by 5 days, hence the pay cut. There is the possibility that the days will be reinstated, but we just don't know. Many people believe that our Governor, who is in his second term, is using kids as a sort of hostage. People are very emotionally attached to the issue and are more likely to vote with the governor out of fear of "hurting" their kids. We shall see.
Angela
9/30/2012 02:05:22 pm
I also work (part-time) for the sole purpose to own 2 horses (and 2 donkeys), take lessons, and support my dressage HOBBY, which seems more like a way of life than just a mere hobby...that's a whole other blog ...I know...
Karen
9/30/2012 10:41:51 pm
I am sharing, but I am cringing as I do so. I'll be glad when 2013 rolls around if only to stop the accounting. :0)
Sharon T
10/1/2012 12:20:04 am
I believe we all make choice to be able to include our hobbies in our lives. Yes, horses are an expensive hobby - but so is sailing, golf, cars, big game hunting and various other hobbies. I appreciate your braveness in showing your expenses related to your horses. I wasn't under any illusions that you had a money tree.
Karen
10/1/2012 02:34:39 pm
Sharon - thanks for sharing. We have one dog and while we don't show him (HAHAHA), he isn't cheap. I imagine that showing dogs can probably get pretty pricey. You don't have board, but I am sure you have some pretty steep expenses. Like horses, dogs still require vet care (wormers, flea and tick stuff, etc.). None of that is cheap. 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. 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.
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 the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
National Rider AwardsState Rider Awards
State Horse Awards
Working Towards:
CDS Sapphire Rider Award Third Level: 63.514% Third Level: 62.105% Fourth Level: Fourth Level: 2023 Show Season
Show Rating (***) CDS/USDF/USEF (*) CDS (s) Schooling (c) Clinic (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic 2023 Show Schedule
TBD 2023 Completed … Pending 2023 Qualifying Scores
Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) Qualifying Training Level 3 Scores/2 Judges/60%: Score 1: Score 2: Score 3: Archives
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