Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Showing on a Budget Part 2

I felt like I needed a follow up from yesterday's post because it's really a topic that needs multiple posts.  Heck, maybe a series!  In writing a blog I write my opinion, right?  In 30+ years of riding and showing hunters and jumpers I definitely have opinions.  I believe that foremost you need to do what works for you.  I may not believe in showing my horses in half a dozen classes in one day but if that's what you feel you and your horse need and it works for you then do it.  I'm simply sharing how I make showing work for my horses on my budget.  I have found that the more show experience I can provide them, the more they (and me) can improve.  Meaning attend more shows not ride in more classes.  It's unfortunate that this sport is so expensive because when we can't go show regularly we end up feeling like "I may as well do all these classes while I'm here because I don't know when I can show next" or maybe it takes 3 classes to get your nerves to settle, etc. when all you really need is to just go show more often.  



This is why non rated shows are great.  They are less expensive and a great place to get mileage for the green horse or green rider.  One of the reasons Poppy is as good as she is, is because I took her to non rated shows.  My trainer only attends one local non rated circuit here and only if it doesn't conflict with the rated shows they do.  So in between meeting up with them at the A shows I used to find any non rated show I could find within a 2 hour radius.  I would bribe a friend to come set jumps, drive just for the day, tie Poppy to the trailer, show her in a couple classes, and drive home.  I could do this for under $100.  



This got her great mileage on a cheap budget where now she goes to rated show and feels like a pretty seasoned show horse.  We are at the point where I essentially do a practice class the day before my Classic and that's it.  But it took going to alot of shows to get there.  


I will also do the same plan with Luxxx.  He will need lots of mileage and what better way to get it than at the cheaper shows.  For the one day show where I took the pinto mare I got a stall, shavings, and showed in 3 classes and the show bill was $132.  

Yes, rated shows are more than non rated.  We know this.  But why?  Is one better than the other?  I will plan to do another post on the differences I have found between the two as far as the experience, what you get for your money, and some reasons why they cost more.


***edit: I just want to clarify that when I say show bill I mean the check I wrote to the show office.  So the $132 for the local show excluded fuel for hauling & trainer fees.  Same with those unrated shows I took Poppy too.  Although I don't pay for hauling keep in mind I have a large diesel truck that is expensive and requires maintenance (oil changes are $80+ and don't get me started on tires) as well as a horse trailer that requires the same so is it really saving money not paying for hauling??

8 comments:

  1. I definitely think you're onto something here, and that there are ways to show on a budget. I love that you did as many local, non-rated shows as possible: obviously this works because as you said, Poppy goes to the bigger shows and feels like a Pro! I'm absolutely a fan of one-day shows. Heck, a show is a show to me! :)

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  2. Definitely think non-rated shows are awesome for working on rider show nerves and mileage on a horse for less money. As a junior horse shows made me sick to my stomach. Then I went to college and did IHSA and did up to 6 shows in 3 months, and more was out of my control at those shows then anything else. After one season I stopped being nervous at shows, I still get a little excited but not to the point that it affects my riding or my animals.

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    1. I love showing so I get excited. The big classes get me a little nervous like when I did the $10K class at HITS

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  3. Love non-rated shows. For me, they're just the best option right now and maybe forever. Mine cost considerably more because I go with my trainer and pay for hauling, but I still think a one day show for around $300 for a division and a weekend show for around $500 for two divisions is not a bad way to get miles on your horse in decent company.

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    1. I added an edit to make it more clear. The non rated show costs excluded hauling and trainer fees. This is also why I love jumpers. I can show 2 days at a rated show and spend less than $500 (show office bill injury).

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  4. i pretty much exclusively do non-rated shows, and they still feel like a huge deal to me... but i really like the idea of doing more of them and getting more miles.

    i bought my trailer this summer and didn't really go to anything other than lessons. but why not?? hm... food for thought! thanks for sharing :)

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    1. My point was that people often think that having your own trailer versus hauling is cheaper. I just want people to think about the cost of truck, maintenance, cost of trailer and maintenance before making that assumption.

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  5. Loving this series. There aren't any rated shows near me and I've only ever attended them as a groom, so I'd love to hear the differences between showing rated and non-rated.

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