how do you justify the cost of eventing?

[Gamebird]

I'm very much a head in sand kinda girl

No idea how I justify it, I just do!!

Ditto! Am running two this season and it's extremely expensive - Lincoln this weekend was >£200. I am stabling as one runs on the Fri and one on the Sat but I figured it was cheaper than the fuel to go twice and would save me 5hrs driving. March/April are always hardest as I like to get a few runs in early then space them out a bit.

 

[HotToTrot]

T

Also, the thought of spending £100 on something else, like clothes, shoes, a night out, food etc makes me even more queasy!

I think I could just about manage to stomach it....!!

 

[Ali16]

I think I could just about manage to stomach it....!!

Hehe... Maybe I'm just tight Well, to give you an idea - I just totted up the cost of my outfit that I am wearing at work today, in comparison to what I will wear for my lessons later on:

Work: 2 x tops, both from Sainsburys = £10; Trousers from charity shop = £4; Shoes from New Look = £7

Total for work outfit = £21

Riding: T shirt from Joules = £35; Breeches from HKM = £45; Ariat boots & gaiters (discounted!) = £120

Total for riding outfit = £200

(Even my underwear for riding is more expensive)

But its all soooo worth it

 

[HotToTrot]

Hehe... Maybe I'm just tight Well, to give you an idea - I just totted up the cost of my outfit that I am wearing at work today, in comparison to what I will wear for my lessons later on:

Work: 2 x tops, both from Sainsburys = £10; Trousers from charity shop = £4; Shoes from New Look = £7

Total for work outfit = £21

Riding: T shirt from Joules = £35; Breeches from HKM = £45; Ariat boots & gaiters (discounted!) = £120

Total for riding outfit = £200

(Even my underwear for riding is more expensive)

But its all soooo worth it

See, you're all making me feel bad. I am the other way round!

Before work today I rode in:

Derby House own jods (about £15)
My old school games artex tshirt (I'm 31...)
A fleece passed on to me by my grandmother (who died ten years ago)
Boots and hat - I had to buy those (gnashes teeth)

At work, I am in Hobbs, Dune and Jigsaw!

And Coast comes up before BDWP in my most visited websites.

I am a bad person. And I clearly look like a tramp when I ride.

 

[Ali16]

See, you're all making me feel bad. I am the other way round!

Before work today I rode in:

Derby House own jods (about £15)
My old school games artex tshirt (I'm 31...)
A fleece passed on to me by my grandmother (who died ten years ago)
Boots and hat - I had to buy those (gnashes teeth)

At work, I am in Hobbs, Dune and Jigsaw!

And Coast comes up before BDWP in my most visited websites.

I am a bad person. And I clearly look like a tramp when I ride.

I'm sure you don't look like a tramp... just different priorities and different tastes. That's what makes the world go round

I dread to think how much us eventers are actually worth when we're sitting on board our horses in the XC warm up (all the gear incl. air jackets etc). But it's SO worth it.

PS - didn't even think about the hat - that's another £120 on top of what I wear to ride in

 

[Saratoga]

PS - didn't even think about the hat - that's another £120 on top of what I wear to ride in

And if you're anything like me you won't just have one hat....

 

[kirstyhen]

Ali16 - when I rotted up how much my jumping tack cost me (bridle, breastplate, saddle, stud guard and boots) I realised it had cost more than the horse

I prefer the Saratoga and Gamebird 'head in sand' approach personally! But I don't spend my wages on anything other than horses and bills, so I guess that's my justification!

 

[HotToTrot]

I'm sure you don't look like a tramp... just different priorities and different tastes. That's what makes the world go round

I dread to think how much us eventers are actually worth when we're sitting on board our horses in the XC warm up (all the gear incl. air jackets etc). But it's SO worth it.

PS - didn't even think about the hat - that's another £120 on top of what I wear to ride in

Ha, it is worth it. I know - terrifying, isn't it!

 

[Ali16]

Ali16 - when I rotted up how much my jumping tack cost me (bridle, breastplate, saddle, stud guard and boots) I realised it had cost more than the horse

Yep! So often the case.. silly isn't it

Saratoga - One for each discipline plus top and tails Oh well... you only live once and you might as well look good.

 

[Firewell]

See, you're all making me feel bad. I am the other way round!

Before work today I rode in:

Derby House own jods (about £15)
My old school games artex tshirt (I'm 31...)
A fleece passed on to me by my grandmother (who died ten years ago)
Boots and hat - I had to buy those (gnashes teeth)

At work, I am in Hobbs, Dune and Jigsaw!

And Coast comes up before BDWP in my most visited websites.

I am a bad person. And I clearly look like a tramp when I ride.

I'm the same as you. I have a handbag that I paid £1,200 for . Saying that I got so fed up last summer of being sniggered at in my riding jumper that i'd had since I was 14 which was full of holes that I went to countrywide in the sale and splurged on jules. Generally though I wear the topshop vest tops and H&M hoodies down at the yard and the nice clothes out and about on the town.

I do spend most of my spare cash on my horse though, even just going to a BD comp I worked out costs me with entry, lorry hire and fuel close to £100. Thats why I usually only go out once or twice a month with the horse it just gets stupid otherwise and I do like to be able to go to the hairdresser for my hair and the odd nice thing for myself.

I always find it a struggle getting the balance between my ambitions with my horse and not going crazy so I have time for other things very hard!!

 

[Lucyad]

I would love to do a BE 80T or maybe at a push a 90 (intro) class.....however there are not many close to me, and the cost puts me off terribly - I can't really justify spending that much on one competition. There is certainly no point in me registering for one or 2 events per year. I am happy just doing unaffiliated - and at that generally the disciplines at separate competitions.

 

[HotToTrot]

I'm the same as you. I have a handbag that I paid £1,200 for . Saying that I got so fed up last summer of being sniggered at in my riding jumper that i'd had since I was 14 which was full of holes that I went to countrywide in the sale and splurged on jules. Generally though I wear the topshop vest tops and H&M hoodies down at the yard and the nice clothes out and about on the town.

I do spend most of my spare cash on my horse though, even just going to a BD comp I worked out costs me with entry, lorry hire and fuel close to £100. Thats why I usually only go out once or twice a month with the horse it just gets stupid otherwise and I do like to be able to go to the hairdresser for my hair and the odd nice thing for myself.

I always find it a struggle getting the balance between my ambitions with my horse and not going crazy so I have time for other things very hard!!

Tee hee! Agreed. I would love to look nice on a horse, but my husband would definitely divorce me if I spent money on riding clothes when I have scores of scruffy tshirts and fleeces to be used up. I need to create a situation where they all get mysteriously destroyed.....

 

[hoorayhenry]

save 5% on fuel at Sainsbury's via a gift card bought through the memebrship benefits website. for me that's around £20 a month, £240 a yr. membership paid for

i"m a full member but have only just seen these discounts, how do they work. and how do I receive them. Any help with petrol is needed.

Amber x

 

[Ali16]

Tee hee! Agreed. I would love to look nice on a horse, but my husband would definitely divorce me if I spent money on riding clothes when I have scores of scruffy tshirts and fleeces to be used up. I need to create a situation where they all get mysteriously destroyed.....

All mine are recycled as dog blankets - 'But she LIKES the smell of my clothes... especially when I'm away at work all day'

 

[HotToTrot]

All mine are recycled as dog blankets - 'But she LIKES the smell of my clothes... especially when I'm away at work all day'

Could I borrow your dog? I was thinking along the lines of "horse has turned real vicious lately. Look at this huge hole that she tore in my fleece with her teeth." I cycle a lot, so there must be scope to permanently destroy a few tops on my bike. Oh - what about I had to use one as a bandage to stop a small child from bleeding to death?

 

[Ali16]

Could I borrow your dog? I was thinking along the lines of "horse has turned real vicious lately. Look at this huge hole that she tore in my fleece with her teeth." I cycle a lot, so there must be scope to permanently destroy a few tops on my bike. Oh - what about I had to use one as a bandage to stop a small child from bleeding to death?

Definately scope with the bike thing. And the child one too. My OH would tell me to sell the horse if I told him he'd started biting me though...

We have four dogs... take your pick!

 

[aregona]

hehehe, im stinging with money in every way, its easy to be when you dont have any!! My jods off ebay, £3.12, jacket i won whilst showjumping etc etc.....

what would be really good is a website that people can post on where they are planning to go and how much room they have in their lorry to pick up someone on route. (i know technically its not allowed but head in sand on that one!)

plus i have decided to break it down, pay membership, then pay entries and then on the day pay fuel and start fee....it doesnt seem so expensive then but i have to agree...where on earth does the money the events make go???

 

[TheoryX1]

Well I dont event, but my daughter lives, eats and sleeps it. It helps having a sponsor, plus I am one of those very lucky people who gets paid quite a lot of dosh to do my job, so I can afford it. On top of that I dont smoke, dont really drink, recycle all my clothes via ebay (fabulous, you can get designer stuff dead cheap) and work extremely hard at what I do as a job. I dont need to justify it for her, she is my only daughter, and although she is being a spoilt brat over a broken eventer, she is worth the cost.

On top of that I love my eventing days out with her.

 

[SpottedCat]

what would be really good is a website that people can post on where they are planning to go and how much room they have in their lorry to pick up someone on route. (i know technically its not allowed but head in sand on that one!)

Complete myth that it isn't allowed. Splitting fuel costs is not, and has never been, hire and reward.

 

[Rosiefan]

....
On top of that I love my eventing days out with her.

This is it really. It's a major part of our social life - well mine anyway - the time spent at events and other gatherings with eventing friends.

 

[sabel]

I am another head in the sand person I'm afraid. I competed in my first ever BE event last weekend and loved it! I have been wanting to do this all my life and have taken the decision that it is now or never.
I have a part time job that fits in around my two children (9 and 7) but means I don't get paid during school holidays. I don't ever buy clothes for myself, most of my riding gear is either ancient or from Ebay/sales etc.
I did think about doing unaff events over BE courses but to be honest the entry fees are still around £60, fuel costs the same etc so decided to just go for it and affiliate.
So I'm trying not to think about the costs too much and just thinking about doing what I've always wanted to do, I'm now the wrong side of 40 and lost my mum to cancer when she was in her 40's so I just think, live your life!

 

[ArcticFox]

I justify it because I love it

I love bathing the hoss, plaiting, getting up early on a show day, being there competing. My aim for each comp is to do well, have fun and have a happy horse loaded up to come home at the end of the day.

The only thing I don't really like is cleaning tack!

Hoping to get a horsebox soon so it will be even better as I can take my dog, hubby and friends and basically have even more fun

 

[aregona]

Sorted! Lift sharing is on the cards. I have a 4 horse lorry and only event 2 at a time

 

[LEC]

I feel that you have one life and you have to live it! But saying that I had a quiet year last year as bought a house with OH and had to get all the additional stuff that goes with it.
My OH is pretty supportive as long as the fridge is full!
I do try and cut costs where I can - birthdays and Christmas are always cash, everything comes from ebay, horse was a freebie and I do a lot of work for my trainer and have not paid for a lesson with her in months!

 

[LittleGreyMare]

I haven't even thought about registering yet this year!! With a foal due and a new house I think eventing may have to go on the back burner for a bit - not sure I will have the money.

In a 'normal' year though I event 6-8 times and don't worry too much about the cost, but am more and more trying to go to local events!

 

[now_loves_mares]

Ha ha, finally glad to hear of someone who's logic matches mine- anytime Mr FigJam has muttered about the £££ aspect of my horse-addiction, I inform him I don't smoke, buy handbags/shoes and don't have a crack cocaine/heroin addiction, so actually I'm saving him money!

But everyone should have at least ONE really nice Handbag

I've never dared add up how much eventing costs - best not to know . The trick though is not to stop! I've not been for a while now, so seem to manage to fritter the equivalent of entry fees on other stuff. If you just keep eventing, it just becomes a part of your monthly budget. <twisted logic> I also find that in winter it's more expensive to keep my horses (haylage and bedding costs primarily) so they kind of even each other out.

 

[Lolo]

It says something that a lot of justifications are "At least I'm not doing some form of illegal drug!"...

 

[aregona]

That's what I just told my dad....."better than me being a crack addict!"

 

[now_loves_mares]

That's what I just told my dad....."better than me being a crack addict!"

I don't think my Dad would agree . I am now <cough cough> somewhere in my late 30s. Pretty much all my life he's either been towing me about, he has built me one trailer and done at least 3 lorry conversions, welded by ancient landrover back together many a time (he's a mechanic). I have a lovely field shelter he has built. He's kicked my butt, wiped my tears, and even (slightly depressing bit) buried my much beloved eventer, which I think he found pretty hard. But right now, he has spent every single weekend for at least the last year putting the body of my lorry on a new chassis. He bl00dy hates horses now

I am convinced that if at the age of 16 I'd told him I was giving up horses to start injecting myself with hard drugs, he'd have enthusiastically applauded and thought how easy his life was going to become

 

[siennamum]

We are having a run at Howick, solely because my son is desperate to event, and his horse has been on & off games for a couple of years, so it's now or never (or until he can afford to pay for himself)

He is doing the PC section, I am pleased with the training ticket idea, £10 is more palatable than £37.

£65 entry is fine, but because I have no living in the lorry we have to pay full wack to get across the bridge which is a pain. Anyway, he will go without something and have to do some serious chores to pay me back which I will enjoy.

I am not sure whether finances will stand any more runs this year, we may just do unaff. I agree with the poster who said it was a ridiculous amount of money to change, can't get my head around why it has to be so expensive tbh. Becomes a very elitist sport, which is a ridiculous concept given that the best news I've had all week is that my best friend has put on a load of weight and is giving me a bagful of outgrown clothes!!!