The Top 10 Hidden Costs of Horse Showing... What No One Tells You Until You Get The Bill
We always joke in my barn when someone is posing with their $2.49 ribbon about what that flimsy piece of poly satin really costs. Forget the actual class fee. It starts waaaaaaaay before that.
Let us not go back to the purchase price of the horse, all the vet and farrier bills, the boarding and training bills, the lessons, the tack, etc….Losing track already, huh? Let us look at the actual costs that you need to plan for when your trainer says those magic words you’ve been sweating and working your rear end off to hear….”I think you are ready to show!” (which is code for “I think you are your horse are ready to be out in public without serious threat of embarrassment.”)
I am always stunned at the costs of showing when I am talking to other trainers, clients, friends who have been down the “show road”. It seems to vary GREATLY from discipline to discipline but here is a list of potentially hidden costs to consider and talk with your dream team about.
#1 Trailering: If you do not own your own trailer you are going to need a ride for your friend….I doubt your car’s back seat is big enough but I have seen pickups with horses standing in the back- no kidding, really. Been to Texas? Trailering is a necessary part of starting down the show path with your horse and you are well served if you can hire this out with a professional hauler- check references and reputation and always ask what kind of trailer they have, send your own hay for short hauls and make sure they will deal with shipping boots or wraps if needed. If you have your own trailer you are not off the hook here expense wise…in fact I am not so sure the upkeep, insurance, tags, fuel, etc on a $70,000 pick up truck(yep, the new ones are really that much) and a suitable and safe trailer are really any cheaper than hiring a professional hauler.
#2 Bedding and Feed: I recently had a client ask me if they had to pay additionally for shavings at a show when they are already paying board at the barn and since the horse was not using the shavings in the stall while they were gone….makes sense right? I could completely understand the question. Most boarding barns are going to have the policy that you board there and if you leave to go to a show they are possibly going to send you with hay from home but not bedding. However….boarding barns may offer to send you with bedding but you have to figure out how to haul it and usually they are going to charge you for it. The alternative, and what most do, is to buy bags from the show and sometimes hay and have them pre-delivered to your stalls so they are there when you get there and are ready to unload which brings me to…..
#3 Day Care: No, this is not the drop-your-horse-of-and-let-them-play-with-their-friends day care but instead the labor fee associated with taking care of your horse in their new home away from home. Most barns will bring a groom and the clients are charged a per day fee for horses to be given feed, water, stalls cleaned, etc….While many prefer to do this themselves don’t be surprised if this is a fee your barn will charge and make sure it is talked about in advance.
#4 Grooming: Again, just because you may pay for this service at home does not mean it is covered at a show. Many barns are going to bring extra help and that fee is divided among the number of horses at the show. This may or may not include braiding or banding or clipping. There may need to be clipping and mane preparation done before you even leave home that you need to do or pay for someone else to do. In my barn of long haired beauties just taking the manes down, washing and re-braiding is several hours per horse before they even leave! Many short mane wearers need manes pulled, thinned or trimmed before they can be braided and while we believe in letting whiskers be most show folks do not so you may have pre-clipping to contend with as well. You may prefer to do this by yourself or be showing on your own and do not have need for a professional groom. Perhaps you have lied through your teeth to your non-horsey spouse and told them this would be fun!!!! A real vacation and an adventure!!!! Or perhaps you have enlisted your best barn friend. Either way I would suggest lots of sparkling or bubbling libations and gourmet snacks as proper motivation and reward. Because at the end of a 16 hour day a good ‘thank you’ may not cut it. (this is where you find out who your true friends are)
#5 Set Up fees: Hmmm. You are wondering…..paid labor to care for horse already….well, above and beyond that is the stabling set up. If you show small shows or show on your own this won’t apply to you. But keep reading. You will be shocked. The first time I went to a really big show was the American Royal in Kansas City when I was a very little girl. Amidst the aisles of gorgeous horses there were chandeliers and running fountains in the barn aisles. And false ceilings. And real grass. And full furniture sets along with the standard curtains, farm banners, stall front plaques, flowers, shrubbery…..stunning. And someone has to set this up and pay for it. Most barns will divide this amongst the number of clients showing but you should be aware of that potential cost as well as if you are going to be asked to buy a certain type of tack trunk, halter, blanket or other gear for your horse to be properly matching your barn.
#6 Show fees: From grounds fees, to stall fees, to drug fees, to membership fees, to mandatory scholarship fees…you need a degree to enter some shows. To make sure you are not over paying, underpaying or paying for the wrong things ask your trainer to sit down with you and go over the do’s and don’ts of filling out your entry forms. Many disciplines have advice/help on their group websites and some local groups will offer social/educational get togethers pre-show season on what to expect. I always strive to win the award for perfect entry that some of our local show management give out(yet to happen….but hey, it is a good goal!)
#7 Coaching, Training, Riding and travel fees: Yes, you are expected to pay your trainer for all of the coaching and training they do at the show. I know, you pay that at home already right? Well most trainers are going to charge you extra for this because they have to leave their existing business at home, pay their assistant and/or extra labor to stay at home and take care of those customers and horses while they are traveling and helping you obtain your goals.
Some will charge per class, some per show. Some will charge one fee for coaching and one fee for riding and yet a different fee for actually showing your horse. You may also be responsible for paying all, or a portion of, the travel and hotel, food, fuel fees.
#8 Prizes: And then there is the prize money, because hopefully you are not like me and actually pick a discipline that offers money instead of just taking it from you. This also must be discussed in advance. Some trainers give all the prize money to the owner, some spilt it and some work on a percentage. Have. It. In. Writing.(You’ve read my other blogs, right?)
#9 Accommodations/Travel: Don’t forget to budget for you! How will you get to show or get around at show? Where will you stay? Meals? Eating out three times daily can get pricey, quickly.
#10 Attire: More about you! Specifically you need to be aware of any special attire outside the norm you will be required to wear. Dress coat? Special shirt? Those fancy custom made Italian show boots that set you back two Christmas’ of asking for? (0h wait, that was me.) Looking your best will make you feel your best and will help you ride your best. (Quick tip-do not wait until show day to try this fancy stuff on for the first time. Trust me.)
So now you are overwhelmed. If you are a rookie. And if you are seasoned show-goer you are chuckling. Because you have been here. And you are remembering the shock after you started to add it all up the first time around. But rookies have no fear. After that first $2.49 blue ribbon gets handed your way you will forget what it really cost you. AND you will sign up to do it again. AND again.