Entry fees has the price of them put you off competing as much?

[NIKKI1974]

When i first started competing entry fees were £3.50 or £4 a class and the bigger shows £8 ,i cant believe some of the entry fees now and the shows that used to have twenty or thirty horses competing in them now seem to only have four or five. Some classes i went to watch last year only had one horse in such a shame when you turn up and have nothing to compete against.I would rather come third or fourth in a line up of thirty horses than 1st or second in a class of four.Does the price of the entry put you off competing .

 

[Saf]

Hi
For me its cost and size of classes, my local show has so many entries I find I now can't be bothered to wait 3 hrs between classes

 

[catembi]

I compete bsja & bd & sometimes do 1 class instead of 2 to save money & time. I also take into account diesel & tend to go to the nearer venue, & how many people are likely to be there. Can't be bothered with massive classes - all the hanging around with little chance of placing.

 

[NIKKI1974]

just out of curiousity does anyone know how much the classes at the hickstead derby cost roughly to enter .i dont show jump so out of touch with this aspect,but the prize money in these classes is quite good too isnt it?!

 

[MagicMelon]

Yeah, Im surprised by the drop in entries nowadays. Which may well be due to cost. If your a keen competitor then I dont think it puts you off, but I think it definately stops a lot of lower level out-for-fun competitors bothering.

Entry fees are crazily expensive in all disiplines. I dont mind paying more for BE and BSJA though as they are generally a lot better organised and you can get prize money. I hate paying £8 for a little unaffiliated SJ class or £30 for an ODE which are often horrifically organised / badly designed courses and no chance of prizes!

 

[Baggybreeches]

As I am bringing on ex-racers to hopefully event, I like to go to do a BN, but a 95cm/105cm unaff does the same job. At £7 or £8 per class would probably only do one class with each horse, but theres usually somewhere local with decent sized clear round they do 2 for £10, I still get to jump the boys with a show atmosphere but i doesnt make me broke!

I cant remember the last time I won a rosette, but I did get to jump off a couple of weeks ago!

 

[rrose]

yes, it used to be resonable but now its just bloody ridiculous. this means i dont compete as much

 

[SpruceRI]

Yes prices have rocketed in some disciplines. I'm taking my youngster inhand showing tomorrow - don't know why now I've looked at the price: £12 for 1 class, £3 late entry fee and £3 first aid/arena party?? Arena party, for inhand showing??

 

[Merlotmonster]

Having organised shows for my local riding club, we have had to put prices up. If we actually break even its a miracle and many times we have run at a loss. First aid costs up to £350 for the day, we have to pay for the cost of the arena, course builder, judges etc and thats before we know if anyone is going to turn up.