Eventers.... how do you afford it? and musings...

[BBs]

Having evented in the past and had a 2 year break and switching to dressage.... Im sat here thinking about eventing again next year (possibly).

Now I still love (yes I actually do really enjoy it) dressage and will continue to compete in this discipline, but I want to see if its possibly I can afford to compete in ODE's again.

Now with all the Unaffilated horse trials running at BE venues, it might mean I stick to the unaffiliated route and put what would cost me and pony around £250 in affiliation fees for BE into training instead/fuel/more competitions.
But is there enough unaf ODEs? maybe if I continue to BD with both horses I wont want to run my horse BE once or sometimes twice a month. But then is it worth joining BE? would I be better off just doing the unaffilated route with Twesl/Hambledon/Aston and alike all running alongside their usual BE horse trials....

And another thing... how do you all afford it, competing/training/fuel/livery?

I have a mountain of stuff I still need to sell so that maybe what I use to afford this venture.

But how do you do it? and are ppl still joining BE next year or doing the Unaffiliated route instead?

Just interested in ppls views.

 

[miller]

I don't event and have often wondered the same thing! I work full time, do on call 1 week in 3 24hrs a day, have horses at home (admittedly with a large mortgage), have a decent wage (we'd all like more I know) and certainly couldn't afford it

 

[OskyWoskyPonio]

I'd love to affiliate BE but it's soooo expensive! added on top of that the class fees are often in excess of £50 plus your £10 fee just to start!

Unaffiliated ODEs have got much better especially as like you say they are often run over the same courses

(and they are normally half the price!

)

 

[sillygillyhorse]

Take a look at where your local Pony Clubs are running their horse trials, you will often find that they are using BE courses and are open to all. Entry fees will be considerably lower with no registration fees, you will also get to ride some different dressage tests!

I honestly dont know how people continue to afford to event. Membership fees are high with no guarantees of a run at the events you want along with a very inflexible/non existant refund system.

I no longer have the desire to do any eventing but if I did I would be able to get enough runs round BE courses at unaffiliated events in this part of the world so that would definitely be the route I would take especially if I wished to continue riding affiliated show jumping and or dressage.

 

[millitiger]

i have just this minute updated my costs spreadsheet (yes i am that sad!) and added my eventing in.

reg fees for me and 1 horse = £190
each event= £120 (inc petrol, food etc) 8 events =£960
training/ xc schooling etc= £400

so £1550 each year just to compete in 8 BE events.
so basically £2k of my salary (before tax) goes just on eventing.

horse costs (minus eventing) are £3500, or £4300 of my salary before tax.

v.v.scary!!! hence i have my cost spreadsheet which is updated with every little thing so i can keep track.

 

[monkeybum13]

[ QUOTE ]

Unaffiliated ODEs have got much better especially as like you say they are often run over the same courses

(and they are normally half the price!

)

[/ QUOTE ]

Take West Wilts for example in July they hold an unaff ODE over mini course and then BE90 and BE100 and it costs around £35, It worked out around £100 (inc class tickets) to do the same course affiliated
The Pony Club also hold a ODE around the same courses for around £30 in June

 

[H_J]

Im starting to think, jeez it is expensive but I love it and its all I know (even though I love dressage too) so I will of course continue to do it!!

It will be even more expensive next year as will have 2 to run, good times and bad times!!

Im lucky that I have a routine with parents I pay for my entries they pay for fuel so that helps. My lessons are very cheap, guy I have every week is £8 in a group! And I have someone else once a mth at £20. I do the EHOA clinic at the start of the year and thats about it as far as training goes all year. I have horsey things that I sell when I can i.e I have a few myler bits an old saddle etc that im going to sell now for some winter BSJA money!!

If your going to still BD I would seriously consider just doing the unaff events, as you know they are run just as well, you can usually enter on BDWP which is easy and the jumps etc are all BE standard. Looks like Aston will be running enough at throughout the yr to keep the unaff eventer going in 2010

 

[kick_On]

i'm broke!!!! - but i have to say i do limit the amount of runs i do in season, i'm in two RC so i get brilliant training at £12 or £13 per hour

Do all normal saving stuffing and on DIY with a sharer for hunter and pick up odd other ggs to ride(paid)
I really don't get to bogged down with cost and spent Nov and Dec saving hard!!!!

But if you've turned into dressage diva, you'll gd dressage scores with DC, you'll walk away with cash

 

[SpottedCat]

[ QUOTE ]
i have just this minute updated my costs spreadsheet (yes i am that sad!) and added my eventing in.

reg fees for me and 1 horse = £190
each event= £120 (inc petrol, food etc) 8 events =£960
training/ xc schooling etc= £400

so £1550 each year just to compete in 8 BE events.
so basically £2k of my salary (before tax) goes just on eventing.

horse costs (minus eventing) are £3500, or £4300 of my salary before tax.

v.v.scary!!! hence i have my cost spreadsheet which is updated with every little thing so i can keep track.

[/ QUOTE ]

What you want, is membership (free) on Manage My Horse!

I afford eventing by having an understanding OH who pays for things like holidays, half the mortgage (and a bit more) and bills, etc. I often toy with the idea of giving up (horses and eventing) but never quite manage it basically because I have goals I want to achieve eventing which I haven't done yet. I've just sent off my BD membership though because TBH I have zero motivation doing the incredibly necessary task of taking the horse round miniature unaff showjumping tracks and it is all I can do to be bothered to ride some days. Plus I'd like to see whether new trainer has improved us as much as I think he has....

 

[milliepops]

I'll be BE-ing again next year, can't imagine giving it up TBH. I don't do anything outside my horse- my wages go entirely on her and keeping a roof over my head - I never go out, no holidays, don't buy clothes unless they are cheap at Tesco - etc!

I would make the effort to sell unwanted stuff if you can - I just funded my first 1* by ebaying anything that wasn't nailed down. I also do the legwork for a hunting livery at my yard to fund lessons etc, and get some pocket money for diesel by clipping/plaiting etc. It's a pain doing loads of extra work on top of full time job but I did 9 events this season by scrimping and saving this way. Oh, a bit of prize money early in the season helped too

 

[Gamebird]

BBs - if you're not doing too many events and would (I presume) not be running at Intro would it be cheaper to go on day tickets (either for you or the horse or both). I have found an awful lot less balloting at most events this year especially if you're not doing Intro.

Or could you do a half year membership - dressage for the first half of the season and some unaff events to get back into it then buy a half year membership and do BE for the second half of the season. I've done this a few times with horses that were 'passing through' and didn't merit a full year eventing. Admittedly it would help if BE extended the half year offer to riders too.

I take it that you didn't get any huge bids for your kidney then????

I'd like to answer your question and tell you how I do it but I honestly don't know. I know that it involves a credit card for entries (and fuel) which builds up to scary levels then gets paid off when I sell a horse (don't tell me how wrong that is; I know

). It also involves working all the hours that god sends, eating a lot of porridge, drinking cheap wine and buying all my clothes from ebay. Also riding lots of horses that I should be too sensible to get on in return for money or favours (no NOT that sort

).

 

[rising_promise]

I bought a young horse a year ago. She hadn't done anything before but I bought her with the intention of eventing her. I didn't join BE because I didn't want to waste all that money affiliating when I didn't even know that she'd go XC so I chose to go down the unaff/ day ticket route.

Thankfully, she loved it and I ran her 12 times this season including a 3day. Only 2 of those were on BE day tickets, the rest all unaff.

I'm in the South East so have been round South of England, Borde Hill, Munstead, Brightling, MK- all unaff and Eridge and Firle on a ticket. Plus there are RC qualifiers and champs qualify for.

I help at a BE event at the beginning of the season and have never been balloted when using a ticket.

I'm definitely going to do that again next season as I really can't afford to affiliate her and tbh, there's no point when I can do it for half the price at unaff.

She'll be moving up to PN from Intro next season but there'll still be plenty around.

Like everyone else, I'm constantly broke. I work weekends for extra money (which is depressing when you're nearly 30!) and use my annual leave at my boring office job to work too (but don't tell my boss!) Can't afford much else other than competing and training but I love it and wouldn't swap eventing!!

 

[kit279]

Well, I don't have kids or a mortgage for starters... We're lucky as we rent a yard for not a huge amount from an old friend, we use LPG not diesel (which halves our fuel bill). We don't tend to go on holiday much but if we do we go to my parents in France for skiing etc. So our outgoings are pretty small. We cycle to work, we grow quite a lot of our own food - yadayada. It all sounds a bit 'holier than' but actually we just save money whenever and wherever we can. Both of us work full time as well so that helps.

We also don't run at BE unless we can be competitive - there are so many unaffiliated ODEs around that there's no point. BE is £100 a go, Pony Club is £25. No contest. We will do BE if it's at a venue that doesn't do unaffiliated but that's not too often. BE is very expensive to use as a training ground

 

[kick_On]

Is this why we turn into a bunch of nutters over xc getting our kicks then add alcohol at lorry park

, as we never go out like 'normal people' ??? cos as a breed we're always broke

 

[icestationzebra]

Speak for yourself KO - you might confine your drinking to the lorry park but I most certainly do not!

Anytime, anyplace, anywhere as the Martini ad used to advise. Health and Safety would probably ban sensible advice like that nowadays

 

[Chloe_GHE]

Hhhhhmmmmm how do I afford it?..... *scratches head*

Ok well umm to start I have never had the £ to buy a ready made event horse so buy up cheap exracers left right and centre to try and make them into Tamarillos!

and the odd project gets brought on and sold on which in the past as well as helping with eventing costs has cleared student debt and paid for new cars so that helps.

I only have one set of tack and sell off anything that no longer works for me/my horse on eBay or to other HHOers! this includes things like old ponies thermatex, bits, etc you would be surprised if you list it how much you can get for it on eBay.

For lessons I help out my instructors with work round the yard, riding out, and their websites/PR and get free or cut price lessons in return

For my membership fee I ask for them as a xmas present and that's basically it and a pair of socks every year!

I try to start saving a little entry money fund now in the off season months so I don't miss any early runs bur to lack of funds. I get a quarterly bonus at work which all goes into eventing pot.

My sponsors have been fantastic and have saved me £1000's on kit and feed which would have been an added cost otherwise so I am extreemely grateful to them

Livery fees I get 'mates rates' as it's my mother's business this enables me to keep 2 and a project which otherwise I would only be able to afford to keep one at a private yard

Basically flog stuff on eBay
buy clothes from ASOS in the sale
eat beans
don't go out very much so when you do you are such a lightweight it only takes 2 drinks to get tipsy!

and repair reuse and recycle, don't buy new!

 

[KatB]

LMAO ISZ!

In short BB's, sadly my life revolves around eventing in the summer. I don't go out that often to save money, my horse lives out to save on bedding and hay (and I am lucky in the fact we have excellent grazing) I learn as much as possible from watching people have lessons and riding, and was lucky enough to be able to help someone who very kindly gave me some excellent help on return

. Luckily my lorry is also relatively cheap to run on diesel!! It is difficult though, and I was recently seriously considering BSJAing next season instead....

we will see.

 

[fingers_crossed]

Well having bought a very nice youngster and have him break down due to OCD, i've decided IF I keep riding I shan't be buying anything to event again even tho its what I love doing. While going through med school its not worth the cost , especially having lost 400pounds in entry fees and registration, .And knowing i'll have to sell any horse i buy now just as it gets to a decent level due to my F1 year. No more BE for me

, and as such maybe no more riding !

 

[icestationzebra]

What! Bling a ding ding for you next season?

No way

 

[alwaysbroke]

[ QUOTE ]
cos as a breed we're always broke

[/ QUOTE ]

Did I hear my name mentioned?

Tried to keep OH and daughter BEing for 2 years but had to admit defeat last year, just too expensive.

Daughter wasnt happy, but understood, hopefully this year we will look at more unaffiliated and PC events, but found it quite difficult to find out about them last year, wonder i admin would help out and "sticky" an unaffiliated events post so as we find out about them we can share the info..........

 

[KatB]

Haha! Possibly... although you know what I am like, come February next year, the entries will be filled out again...

 

[FigJam]

I've only started eventing ths year, but am well and truly bitten by the bug! It's something I've always wanted to do but never had the opportunity until now.

I afford it (almost!) by;
- Having a sharer 2 days a week. (this also helps with the keeping fit problem!)
- DIY livery and exchange favours with yard mate. I turn one of her's out in the morning and she brings mine in at night, saving me £7.50 per week in winter.
- Horse lives out in summer.
- Not smoking/drinking/going out ever (no, really!).
- Only buy clothes when I REALLY have to (e.g. when work clothes are needed or jeans fall to bits!), don't buy shoes/belts/handbags!
- Save as much as I can of my weekly "allowance" that I take out to spend on lunch at work etc and stash it away into my horsey account.

I only did unaff stuff and 2 BEs this year (on tickets) but next year I hope to do as many BE events as I can afford/get to. My lovely parents are giving me cash for Christmas so I can register me and horse and with enough left over for a couple of entry fees.

Sadly, up in Scotland we have very few unaff ODEs which run over BE courses. I can only think of one or two.

Unaff XC courses really vary and sadly I learnt the hard way last weekend that the organisation/experience of volunteers can also vary widely.

I'd love more of our BE events to put on unaff events and would support those, but a lot of the Scottish BE events are on private land which does not have "equestrian" as one of it's business priorities, so course is put up once a year and then left until next year.

 

[wench]

I keep on thinking one day I will win something (or at least not get eliminated or come last)... no matter how many thousands of £'s it will cost!

 

[Hesperus]

BB have you found a huge difference switching to dressage?

I'm thinking about it next year but concerned I'll just end up wanting more lessons/clinics/bling and matchy matchy, and competing more often to entertain myself and get my kicks!

One big advantage is that I can go off and do dressage on my own. My biggest stress on top of the finances is finding people to help and come with me. Really hate going eventing on my own.

 

[jennystreek]

it still baffles me as to how people can think that if you own a horse, you must be rich!! Try the complete opposite!!

It was only yesterday that my OH was asking me why I didnt have more savings from last year (I'd just added up all my earnings).... "where did it all go?" he asked....

Slightly scary!! The actual keep of the horses is nothing - they're both at a cheap DIY yard, on rubber matting etc. Its shocking to think that each trip out in the box is £40 in diesel, and then the entry fees on top of that. Must be mad!!

 

[Gamebird]

I am amazed by the number of unaff events that people seem to find that are run over BE courses. Most of our BE courses up here are used once/twice a year for BE events and not at all between. I can think of one (Bishop Burton) that was used for the Riding Club Areas this year and other than that I have never seen an unaff ODE over a BE course!

 

[daisycrazy]

How? By selling each horse on for a lot more than purchased for, to cover the costs of producing and competing it. Generally running no more than one horse at a time. Previously kept them at my mum's so no livery costs but now, ouch, livery doesn't half add up. Not spending anything on any other part of my life! Not buying things for horses or me which we don't need or aren't going to make any significant impact on our performance. Not having lessons very often. Looking after kit so it lasts as long as possible. Buying cheap gloves and jodhpur boots from Tesco since I get through them at a rate of knots whether I spend £££ or £. By having a job that earns enough whilst working from home, at the expense of job security, and by having an OH to contribute 50% to the household bills. Oh, and having a knackered old car and and a functional 10 year old lorry.

Have decided BSJA is much better - you can actually come home with more money than you left with, such that it contributes towards the diesel. And the diesel is a fraction of that required to travel to the average ODE! I'm starting to think a winter of BSJA and teamchasing is much more fun (and cheaper) than a summer of eventing, but then I've lost my bottle for both so it probably doesn't make much difference now!!

 

[monkeybum13]

Move to the south west there's lots!!!!
West Wilts, Stockland Lovell, Pontispool do unaff to name a few and as far as I am aware Broadway ran the RC teams either this year or last year

 

[BBs]

All interesting guys, thank you for your inputs, please keep them coming.
Definitely swaying to the idea of doing the unaffiliated and possibly buying just one or two day tickets.

MissM - The difference I find is that my horses can be a little bit plumper than eventing fit and get away with it.
I can do late entries.
I have more lessons and compete more often.
Have more of a social life.
Can go on my own if necessary.
Win my entry fee back if successful.

I am and have thoroughly enjoyed being a BD member this year. Ive managed to compete more often and if horse breaks then its not a HUGE fee to lose.
I also like the fact I can email a venue to ask if i can get in a late entry for only £2-3 extra.

Before when I evented I either had a lesson or did a competition, couldnt afford both.
This time round I want to be less competitive and just do it as a bit of fun for neddy and me - before i put way too much pressure on myself to do well.

I shall see how the next few sjing lessons and even a xc lesson goes and make my decision then.
Neddy did enjoy eventing before, and we had such fun at the fun ride last weekend Im booking in for another this weekend (subject to weather).
However, neddy could do pretty well in pure dressage too, so Im toyed with the idea, should i stick to what he's bred for and good at or have some fun eventing which we both enjoyed before?

ARGHHHH

Kidney didnt sell GB

maybe the Liver would be a better option?

 

[Gamebird]

[ QUOTE ]

Kidney didnt sell GB

maybe the Liver would be a better option?

[/ QUOTE ]

I hesitate to say that I doubt it would be worth much!