What is the cost of showing horses in the hunter/jumper world?

Your heart will love horse showing! Your checkbook, not so much…

Now that I’m in the middle part of my life, I can’t help but look back fondly at my younger years when I was showing horses across the West Coast – all thanks to my parent’s incredible support. Even today, when I pack up my gear after a horse show, my heart bursts with gratitude for everything my folks did to support this habit growing up, helping me participate in the world’s priciest sport. So, whenever my buddies snivel about the heavy price tags on ski lift tickets or shiny new golf clubs, I have to smirk and say, “And you call that pricey?” LOL

The other day, I was heading home from an A-rated horse show just a short drive away. For the sake of helping others understand the real deal, I decided to get all mathematical and tally up my expenses – I nearly dropped my calculator! Now, I don’t want to dampen anyone’s love for this “sport of kings,” but it’s essential to shed some light on the dollars involved in such a high-rated event.

Now, these expenses are just for the horse show itself. They’re in addition to all the regular monthly stuff like boarding fees, training, farrier check-ups, vet bills, performance/dietary supplements, chiropractic care, and all that jazz.
Here’s what I racked up at the Horse Show:

Here’s what I racked up at one hunter / jumper horse show:

Now, get this, I signed up for a hunter derby where just entering a single class cost a mind-boggling $450.00. But guess what? I tumbled off my horse, turning that $450.00 into a rather pricey tumble from grace. But every cloud has a silver lining. I walked away from the event with a Reserve Championship in one of my divisions and snagged a medal that gave me a shot at the finals (though, thanks to that pesky COVID-19, who knows when the finals will happen).

Taking part in a horse show is an experience that’s more rewarding than finding a twenty in your old jeans. It teaches you humbleness every single day. But it’s crucial to know that when you step into this field, it’s not just a commitment of love but also one of your hard-earned cash.