SB's Updated Guide to Horse Showing on the Cheap

just riding at a horse show

I horse showed some as a kid/young adult. I had a couple of ways to cut corners and make things more affordable for myself. Now that I'm showing again as an adult, let's revisit those.

1) Eat your friends' food instead of bringing your own.

Theory: This is a really great idea when you're a kid--even if your parents don't come to your shows, your friends' parents will have pity on you and you'll never be without.

Practice: When you hit adult ammy ranks, you can't count on parents to show up. If your friends are anything like you, then you'll all forget food and you might die. This is bad.

that moment when there's a line

2) Avoid drinking too much water so you don't have to keep taking bathroom breaks.

Theory: Should be a big time saver, right?

Practice: This is a terrible idea. If you actually survive the day as an adult (unlikely), you will be so wiped out that it takes DAYS to recover.

NEED COUCH NOW

3) Drink cheap alcohol at the end of the day. You're so dehydrated that you get double the punch for half the price.

Theory: right?

Practice: OH MY GOD NO DO NOT DO THIS IF YOU EVER WANT TO GET OFF THE COUCH AGAIN.

4) Only enter at shows that matter so the pressure is on and you can PERFORM.

Theory: helps avoid spending money on entries for shows that aren't important, guarantees only getting sweet ass ribbons instead of cheapie nasties.

Practice: You are too old and nervous to perform under pressure. Use all the schooling shows to get yourself and your horse ready. You'll need them.

toyz

5) Only have the absolute minimum of required show attire. Show used, buy on the cheap.

Theory: spend all your money on entries, not toys.

Practice: Well, this sort of holds up. Except when you get a grown up job and you're like "F*** YEAH BUYING TACK", which happens from time to time around here.

All that to say. Horse showing is really expensive. It's also strangely addicting. I sent in two more entries yesterday and created a sidebar to track our progress. I realize that I basically just jinxed myself, but I am SO EXCITED to have a horse that I can (gasp!) have fun with at shows again.