Horse Shows + Big Feelings
Just some of my own musings (or what is a softer word than ranting?)…
For many people, horseback riding is a sport, and riders love to compete. In fact they LIVE for horse shows. It is their happy place, what they research, save for, think about, plan for and dream about anytime they are not already at a horse show. For so many, it is a hobby or profession that becomes an obsession, part of a multi-billion dollar equine sport industry, just in Florida! And exponentially that amount world-wide. My daughter, Anna (age 17) is one of these people. Anna loves the sport of riding, specifically the discipline called hunter / jumpers. And she loves LOVES horse shows. Anytime we are anywhere near Ocala, FL, she is over the moon because we go walk around this beautiful 350 acre campus like oasis called the World Equestrian Center (WEC).
A few years ago, I talked to a local trainer who ran a big lesson program with 25 horses in her barn. She looked around her property and waved to the barn and said - “if life circumstances changed and caused me to give all this up and go live in a condominium… I could do that, but I would still board a horse at someone else’s barn and I would still spend my weekends attending horse shows.” That is some serious love for horse shows.
However, I have some big feelings about horse shows. Often, I describe Cheyne Ranch as the anti-show barn. I find horse shows to be confusing, expensive and stressful. Our mission at Cheyne Ranch is to provide inclusive and accessible teaching about horse care and connection. From what I have experienced, there isn’t much that is inclusive or accessible about horse shows. Part of the reason horse shows are stressful (and confusing) to me is the cost. It is SO MUCH money to attend a show. I am very much about paying for people’s time and expertise, but the money just keeps adding up.
For example, Anna is planning to attend a horse show this coming Friday, Saturday & Sunday, July 28th - 30th. Keep in mind we have our OWN HORSE! and our OWN TRAILER! We are still estimating the cost for the 3 day show is $2,000. this DOES NOT include hotel and meals.
A breakdown:
Friday / Saturday / Sunday show at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, FL (95 miles northwest of our home)
$375 Stall for horse at WEC
$150 Braiding Twilight's Mane (required at WEC)
$500 WEC Class entry fees (estimate)
$300 Trainer fee (estimate)
$300 Trainer travel costs (estimate)
$100 Health Certificate for Twilight
$200 Show coat (her other one is too small, using $100 gift card as discount from $300 purchase price)
$150 Gasoline for our trailer to transport horse (it would be $400+ if trainer hauled horse)
$2,000 TOTAL
If we didn't have our own horse and trailer, the cost would be an extra $500+ because we would be paying a “day-lease” fee for use of the horse + an increase cost to haul the horse.
Anna already has:
$400 Show boots
$400 Show helmet
$400 Show pants (2 at $200 each)
$150 Show shirts (2 at $75 each)
$50 Hair nets / socks / boot polish
Also, the horse’s tack has not been mentioned - the horse needs appropriate show saddle, saddle pad, bridle & bit. We have some of this tack - we are borrowing some of it. If we had nothing and needed to purchase everything, the cost could be anything. Probably the following:
$5,000 new | $700 used Saddle
$500 new | $200 used girth, stirrup irons, bridle, bit, saddle pad
Lastly, the horse needs to be in top shape for a show. This means a farrier visit, a vet visit, and a chiropractor visit - all within 2 weeks of the show dates.
Admittedly, going to a show at WEC Ocala is in the top 10 of high-end show venues in the US.
Alternatives to these BIG cost shows include trailering in for a 1-day local show (no stall fees) and not having a trainer (no trainer fees, no trainer travel costs). We are fortunate to have a place called Silver Sands Bridle Club, where there are a couple shows a year where Anna can trailer in her own horse. Our expected costs for those shows (assuming no new tack or wardrobe pieces) is about $400 total.
My confusion / frustration comes from the lack of economic diversity, and also a lack of physical and neurodiversity. In other words, if you don’t have the money, resources, body type, and physical and mental abilities, your choices for participating in horse shows is sadly limited, almost nonexistent.
Our mission at Cheyne Ranch, Inc. is to provide an accessible and inclusive way for ALL people to learn about animal care and connection. The equine industry can seem so elitist, so inaccessible. Cheyne Ranch strives to welcome ALL people, and this includes offering an accessible financial way to experience horses. We strive to offer inclusive ways for all kinds of neurodiverse individuals to learn and thrive in our barn. We are certainly not alone in our efforts, there is an entire sub-industry called equine assisted therapy & equine assisted learning that we try to study and participate in the growing community as practitioners of this model.
We offer 3 main programs that meet weekly, each of these programs is subsidized by donations from our community and strives to be inclusive for a variety of special needs:
PALS - unmounted activities, emphasizing animal care, connection, farm knowledge, outdoor work
Horseback Riding Lessons - beginner & intermediate riding lessons emphasizing safety, care, connection, with up to 25% of lessons being off the saddle - taking care of the horse.
Nature Club / Treasures - group activities emphasizing community, animal care, connection, farm knowledge.
I don’t know how to help horse shows become more accessible and inclusive, so I am doing what I know I can do today - opening up my barn and sharing my animals for all people to experience the benefits
The point of this post is my usual point - I want to share my knowledge. I want to pass along what I have learned (often the hard way) and I want to help inform the curious. I am still learning, still growing and very proud to be a lifelong learner. I welcome your feedback and dialogue about this topic.
