I tried to write a year in review thing, but I just couldn't organize it. I either had too much to say or not enough. Maybe for tomorrow ...
Instead, or until another day, this post is about my 2011 show season. Frankly, it was all over the map, and I mean that both literally and figuratively. I drove as far north as Clovis (two and a half hours) and as far south and west as Ventura County, another two and a half hours. I drove east to Tehachapi (an hour or so), and I was even able to stay right here in Bakersfield. I did one Ride-a-Test, two schooling shows, five 1-star shows, and two triple-rated shows. I did my best to get out of my comfort zone by hitting different venues and riding my tests with no reader. I started the year at Introductory B and finished the season at Training Level, Test One. At the final show of the year, I was encouraged by CDS's president to ditch the Intro classes and work through Training Level to First Level by summer. It was a great, first complete show season.
I thought long and hard, twelve months long in fact, about what to count as an expense for the season. In my first post on this topic, I was going to list only show-specific costs. I decided to expand the list by including the actual costs of attending the show as well as the lessons. I couldn't have shown without the lessons so they have to count. I am excluding the purchase of my new saddle and the purchase price of Sydney. I use the saddle daily and it wasn't purchased exclusively for showing. I simply needed a better piece of equipment much like gloves, girths, or half chaps. I also can't count Sydney as he wasn't purchased exclusively for showing either. There is also the fact that he didn't even show this year, unless you count the Ride-a-Test I did with him.
There were many other expenses I incurred over this year, but I am not counting them since they happen whether you show or not. I spent a small fortune on truck and trailer maintenance, board, feed, bedding, farrier work, chiropractic work, vet bills, and Adequan. Those things are just the cost of horse ownership.
So, what did it cost for an adult amateur owner to train and show her own horse in 2011?
Drum roll please ... $2,834.
Show premiums were $789. I spent approximately $546.35 on gas to and from shows. My show tack/grooming expenses came to $178.65 My membership fees to USEF were $55 and to CDS/USDF were $70. I took thirty-three lessons which cost $1,195. Here's a show by show breakdown:
Total for Show # 1 (schooling in Ojai) ... $250.76
$65.00 - Show premium for two tests
$110 - gas
$68.76 - Tekna bridle (it's my every day bridle, but I also use it for shows)
$7.00 - lunch
Total for Show # 2 (Triple-Rated in Bakersfield) ... $191.89
$82.00 - Show premium for two tests
$0 - gas: since the show is only minutes from the barn, I am not counting gas expenses. I have driven MUCH farther for lessons.
$24.95 - EQ Body Wash: this is the best stuff. Had to have it.
$84.94 - Roma Sheepskin Show Pad - used exclusively for showing.
$0 - lunch: I brought some Gatorade and snacks from the 'fridge. I didn't even eat them at the show. I waited until I got home!
Total for Show #3 (1 Star-Rated in Tehachapi) ... $136.00
$87 - Show Premium for two tests
$49 - Gas
$0 - lunch: I just brought some stuff from the 'fridge
Total for Show #4 (schooling in Moorpark) ... $187.83
$70 - Show premium for two tests
$117.83 - Gas
$0 - lunch: I really just like to eat whatever's in the 'fridge!
Total for Show #5 (1 Star-Rated in Tehachapi) ... $136.00
$87 - Show Premium for two tests
$49 - Gas
$0 - lunch: more stuff from the 'fridge
Total for Show #6 (1 Star-Rated in Tehachapi) ... $129.00
$87 - Show Premium for two tests
$42 - Gas
$0 - lunch: more stuff from the 'fridge
Total for Show #7 (1Star-Rated in Tehachapi) ... $146
$87 - Show Premium for two tests
$50 - Gas
$9 - chips and deli sandwiches for Taz's mom and myself
Total for Show #8 (the Ride-a-Test) ... $37.58
$25 - Fee for two tests
$12.58 - Gas
$0 - lunch: I made a peanut butter sandwich to eat once I was back at the barn
Total for Show #9 (3 Star-Rated in Clovis) ... $226.14
$122 - Show Premium for Two Tests
$101.14 - Gas
$3.00 - show snack, I packed a lunch
Total for Show #10 (1 Star-Rated in Bakersfield) ... $171.80
$77 - Show Premium for Two Tests
$14.80 - Gas
$80 - Clinic with Peggy Klump (Show Judge/Clinician)
Is $2,800 a lot? I think so. I mean it's a mortgage payment. And when I add this amount to what I spend on daily upkeep, it becomes a much larger number. Showing is not as cheap as I thought it would be. I feel as though I got my money's worth though, and I am looking forward to the 2012 show season.
Does anyone feel like sharing their expenses? I have a feeling my costs were fairly cheap since I didn't do very many triple-rated shows. I'd like to know what the "average" adult amateur spends ....
Instead, or until another day, this post is about my 2011 show season. Frankly, it was all over the map, and I mean that both literally and figuratively. I drove as far north as Clovis (two and a half hours) and as far south and west as Ventura County, another two and a half hours. I drove east to Tehachapi (an hour or so), and I was even able to stay right here in Bakersfield. I did one Ride-a-Test, two schooling shows, five 1-star shows, and two triple-rated shows. I did my best to get out of my comfort zone by hitting different venues and riding my tests with no reader. I started the year at Introductory B and finished the season at Training Level, Test One. At the final show of the year, I was encouraged by CDS's president to ditch the Intro classes and work through Training Level to First Level by summer. It was a great, first complete show season.
I thought long and hard, twelve months long in fact, about what to count as an expense for the season. In my first post on this topic, I was going to list only show-specific costs. I decided to expand the list by including the actual costs of attending the show as well as the lessons. I couldn't have shown without the lessons so they have to count. I am excluding the purchase of my new saddle and the purchase price of Sydney. I use the saddle daily and it wasn't purchased exclusively for showing. I simply needed a better piece of equipment much like gloves, girths, or half chaps. I also can't count Sydney as he wasn't purchased exclusively for showing either. There is also the fact that he didn't even show this year, unless you count the Ride-a-Test I did with him.
There were many other expenses I incurred over this year, but I am not counting them since they happen whether you show or not. I spent a small fortune on truck and trailer maintenance, board, feed, bedding, farrier work, chiropractic work, vet bills, and Adequan. Those things are just the cost of horse ownership.
So, what did it cost for an adult amateur owner to train and show her own horse in 2011?
Drum roll please ... $2,834.
Show premiums were $789. I spent approximately $546.35 on gas to and from shows. My show tack/grooming expenses came to $178.65 My membership fees to USEF were $55 and to CDS/USDF were $70. I took thirty-three lessons which cost $1,195. Here's a show by show breakdown:
Total for Show # 1 (schooling in Ojai) ... $250.76
$65.00 - Show premium for two tests
$110 - gas
$68.76 - Tekna bridle (it's my every day bridle, but I also use it for shows)
$7.00 - lunch
Total for Show # 2 (Triple-Rated in Bakersfield) ... $191.89
$82.00 - Show premium for two tests
$0 - gas: since the show is only minutes from the barn, I am not counting gas expenses. I have driven MUCH farther for lessons.
$24.95 - EQ Body Wash: this is the best stuff. Had to have it.
$84.94 - Roma Sheepskin Show Pad - used exclusively for showing.
$0 - lunch: I brought some Gatorade and snacks from the 'fridge. I didn't even eat them at the show. I waited until I got home!
Total for Show #3 (1 Star-Rated in Tehachapi) ... $136.00
$87 - Show Premium for two tests
$49 - Gas
$0 - lunch: I just brought some stuff from the 'fridge
Total for Show #4 (schooling in Moorpark) ... $187.83
$70 - Show premium for two tests
$117.83 - Gas
$0 - lunch: I really just like to eat whatever's in the 'fridge!
Total for Show #5 (1 Star-Rated in Tehachapi) ... $136.00
$87 - Show Premium for two tests
$49 - Gas
$0 - lunch: more stuff from the 'fridge
Total for Show #6 (1 Star-Rated in Tehachapi) ... $129.00
$87 - Show Premium for two tests
$42 - Gas
$0 - lunch: more stuff from the 'fridge
Total for Show #7 (1Star-Rated in Tehachapi) ... $146
$87 - Show Premium for two tests
$50 - Gas
$9 - chips and deli sandwiches for Taz's mom and myself
Total for Show #8 (the Ride-a-Test) ... $37.58
$25 - Fee for two tests
$12.58 - Gas
$0 - lunch: I made a peanut butter sandwich to eat once I was back at the barn
Total for Show #9 (3 Star-Rated in Clovis) ... $226.14
$122 - Show Premium for Two Tests
$101.14 - Gas
$3.00 - show snack, I packed a lunch
Total for Show #10 (1 Star-Rated in Bakersfield) ... $171.80
$77 - Show Premium for Two Tests
$14.80 - Gas
$80 - Clinic with Peggy Klump (Show Judge/Clinician)
Is $2,800 a lot? I think so. I mean it's a mortgage payment. And when I add this amount to what I spend on daily upkeep, it becomes a much larger number. Showing is not as cheap as I thought it would be. I feel as though I got my money's worth though, and I am looking forward to the 2012 show season.
Does anyone feel like sharing their expenses? I have a feeling my costs were fairly cheap since I didn't do very many triple-rated shows. I'd like to know what the "average" adult amateur spends ....
