Eventing costs UK vs. USA

[Squeak]

All the courses local to us don’t allow unaffiliated events until after the BE ones have taken place. Many of the unaffiliated are the week or two after making use of the fact that the course is still flagged, arenas are still set up, xc fences are built and in place.
I was under the impression that this was the case countrywide, where BE and unaffiliated both run at the same venue

But does this not make it a bit tit for tat - neither the affiliated or unaffiliated would necessarily be worth it on their own for these events. It's the fact they can run two events with one set up that makes it viable so they're both essentially supporting each other.

 

[MagicMelon]

Having gone to watch events in Florida quite regularly as a kid, I definately got the feeling competing and even just owning horses in general was for the rich there. No idea what I was watching but they were normally with multiple rings (all surfaced) with working hunters jumping tiny (like 2'3) in one ring and then next door was top level showjumping with Olympic jumpers. Either way, even down to the low working hunter riders - they all seemed to have very expensive setups! BUT they had amazing facilities to compete at, incredible stabling, several large surfaced rings etc. Im sure you have those down south in the UK but up here in NE Scotland, just two rings (one to warm up, one to compete in) is very much the norm. So I guess you pay more for more amazing venues?

I used to be shocked by the for sale pages there too, horses were much more expensive than here even for just bog standard Riding Club types. That was years ago though, things may have changed!

 

[SibeliusMB]

Having gone to watch events in Florida quite regularly as a kid, I definately got the feeling competing and even just owning horses in general was for the rich there. No idea what I was watching but they were normally with multiple rings (all surfaced) with working hunters jumping tiny (like 2'3) in one ring and then next door was top level showjumping with Olympic jumpers. Either way, even down to the low working hunter riders - they all seemed to have very expensive setups! BUT they had amazing facilities to compete at, incredible stabling, several large surfaced rings etc. Im sure you have those down south in the UK but up here in NE Scotland, just two rings (one to warm up, one to compete in) is very much the norm. So I guess you pay more for more amazing venues?

I used to be shocked by the for sale pages there too, horses were much more expensive than here even for just bog standard Riding Club types. That was years ago though, things may have changed!

NOPE!!

Horse prices for anything useful in the show ring have gone up. Those riding club types, the average looking 3' amateur/children's hunter type that isn't spectacularly competitive is easily going for $40K+ these days ,and most anything with decent breeding jumping 3'6"/1.15m+ is high fives/low sixes...lots more for something well bred with a good show record. Long term competitive leases (loans) are also five figures. It's insane. Been insane for awhile, but it's even more insane now. Granted, there are much more affordable horses available as well, but that's what people are paying to play in rated world. There are still local/grassroots shows and circuits, but the big rated/affilliated shows have all moved to the multiple ring format you described in Florida...show parks. Makes for a very fun time, but not cheap.

 

[BunnyDog]

NOPE!!

Horse prices for anything useful in the show ring have gone up. Those riding club types, the average looking 3' amateur/children's hunter type that isn't spectacularly competitive is easily going for $40K+ these days ,and most anything with decent breeding jumping 3'6"/1.15m+ is high fives/low sixes...lots more for something well bred with a good show record. Long term competitive leases (loans) are also five figures. It's insane. Been insane for awhile, but it's even more insane now. Granted, there are much more affordable horses available as well, but that's what people are paying to play in rated world. There are still local/grassroots shows and circuits, but the big rated/affilliated shows have all moved to the multiple ring format you described in Florida...show parks. Makes for a very fun time, but not cheap.

So a close friend just sold her 14 yr old Black (Yes, color matters) Wb dressage horse. Has gone through and is still competitive at PSG. But will also take young teenagers 3rd level with no issues. Safe around and with children on it's back. Sold to first people who tried it, on the day after the first ad hit FB, with 5 more who were waiting to be next in line. 6 figures.

Crazy land.

Em

 

[Aussieventer]

Never complaining about Aus prices ever again

When I entered Willinga Park Cci2*-S I paid $813 AU…. Entering events at SIEC and Wallaby Hill are up there as well. Lucky I have only one horse competing now so don’t feel too guilty entering the special events. Stabling really is the killer though….most short format FEI events I can budget around $400 entries.

 

[Lyle]

When I entered Willinga Park Cci2*-S I paid $813 AU…. Entering events at SIEC and Wallaby Hill are up there as well. Lucky I have only one horse competing now so don’t feel too guilty entering the special events. Stabling really is the killer though….most short format FEI events I can budget around $400 entries.

Oh absolutely, 3DEs are in a different ballpark. I have (not very) fond memories of the upper level prices at Melbourne Int 3DE.

In comparison to a short format, such as Wandin international, to run short format CCI2* it's about $120 entry fee plus $25 camping/BYO yard. Very different compared to say, the costs at Carolina International.

 

[Aussieventer]

Oh absolutely, 3DEs are in a different ballpark. I have (not very) fond memories of the upper level prices at Melbourne Int 3DE.

In comparison to a short format, such as Wandin international, to run short format CCI2* it's about $120 entry fee plus $25 camping/BYO yard. Very different compared to say, the costs at Carolina International.

Wow that’s cheap! NSW must be the more expensive state. My last entry for a short format with no camping or yards was $357.. the prices I quoted above were for short format… lucky to get change from 1k for a 3DE.
Carolina is a whole new world of pricey though. The under $250 entries in NSW without camping/yards are getting fewer though. ‘Destination’ ODE’s are definitely starting to happen here.

 

[Aussieventer]

Double post