The cost of eventing!!

[gerrygiraffe]

I am giving up and moving to S America- I can't even afford to get started. Spent 2 years getting horse ready to compete but I can't afford the entry/affiliation fees/fuel or training- I still live at home too. **sigh**

 

[neverlate]

I can only afford to go to 3 events with my one horse the whole year this year!(but ive got a stallion and ai to pay for too). I only get regular riding lessons over winter when im not competting, I only tax my horsebox on 1st April for 6 months. I always take some one else with me to split fuel cost with. I take my horses shoes off over the winter and so only ride in the school. I budget really carefully and hide everything from my poor boyfriend! He would have a fit if he found out how much I spent on my horse. Even with a well paid job, it is a juggle. I know how you feel, if I couldnt get out id wonder what the point was.

 

[SpruceRI]

I budget until I can budget no more.

Don't have lessons or go to clinics any more.

Now that the fuel costs have risen so much I rarely go out either - not that I did a lot before but now it costs £10 in fuel just to drive to the next town.

I was only supposed to BE for one year as I knew the costs would cripple me, but I enjoy it so much, that here I am 4yrs later still doing it.

But all this budgetting, scrimping and scraping is getting me down and I don't know whether I can carry on much longer.

I houseshare and have no interested parents or family to help, and feel a little financially vulnerable.

But I love Eventing....... sigh....

 

[MagicMelon]

I find it hard too, especially since Ive taken on a new job lately and the pay isnt nearly good enough (hence why Im looking again!). Im very lucky in that my parents sometimes help me out with other things. After forking out for membership renewal for me and 1 horse last month and then enter 2 events (with a 3rd needing entered on Monday) - I have no money until pay day half way through the month!

I very rarely buy new clothes (unless horsey) and dont go out clubbing or anything. I dont mind as its worth it. But agree that eventing IS very expensive and it does stop a lot of people.

 

[tigers_eye]

daisycrazy - I'm in Belgium, has been fairly straightforward to register, although as I'm doing internationals too I've had to register ponies and myself with BE too

. If you want to know about France blackeventer is the person to ask!

 

[LEC]

I have a lovely OH who is incredibly supportive. He pays for everything to do with real life so the majority of my wages can go on the horse. I have also taught him to go and get my number so he pays for the start fee! I also persuaded him to buy the horse.
I also am lucky as my parents live on a farm so have no livery, straw or hay costs.

 

[TGM]

[ QUOTE ]
My lot reckon p2p is less hairy than eventing because if you come off, you're going so fast that even with a rotational fall you end up well in front of the horse - so your OH had better stick with you eventing if he's trying to get rid

[/ QUOTE ] Not always!

Thankfully, in this case the rider got away with concussion and bruising.

 

[Zorrack69]

Not sure its just the cost of competing. It recently hit home to me how much my 'horsey' habbit cost me after my mare was put down.... and it shocked me!

I think I must have been just in denial as I had no idea how costly it all was.

Livery = £35/ wk
Feed & Hayage = £40/ wk (approx)
Shoes = £65 (roughly every 6 weeks)
Insurance = £55/ month

It quite easily adds up to about £300+ a month once you have accounted for fuel to and from the livery yard, buying ancillary items at tack shop, lessons etc...

I spent about 5 months without a horse and was suddenly able to buy things for 'ME'. During this horse-free period I spent £120 on a dress and felt guilty, but never have thought twice about spending that on a new turnout rug!

It makes me wonder how our hobby compares with other sports? I wonder what the most expensive sport is?

 

[Rosiefan]

Ouch - she was very lucky!!

 

[Baydale]

Thanks for that TGM, I am now officially off the idea of p2p-ing, I'll leave that up to Fatarse2. Anyway, I've only got a limited stock of parachute pants and I'm saving those for 3 days.