The Rising Cost of Equestrian Shows: Why Our Sport is in Crisis

As some of you may know, I am part of a couple of dressage group committees. During my time, I have been on the organising committee for many shows over the years. From local ribbon days to premier league shows.  This blog post is written from a dressage sport point of view as that is what I know. From what I have seen online, other disciplines are experiencing the same issues.

The show landscape has changed dramatically over the last few years. With costs rising, new health and safety rules adding to the cost of running a show, funding grants being harder to obtain, and an ever-decreasing volunteer pool meaning people are needing to be paid to fill roles that must be filled in order for a show to go ahead. This is resulting in ever increasing show fees.

Riders, our sport is in crisis. This is not a dramatic statement; it is the current reality. If something doesn’t change, and change right now, our sport is going to end up being only for the elite few that can afford it. It has already headed in that direction somewhat but is rapidly getting worse.

I put out survey last year to find out why riders are not supporting shows anymore. The overwhelming response, over 70% of respondents, citied cost as the main factor. They simply cannot afford to enter shows like they used to. There are a number of factors that have fed into this, it is not one thing. The cost of living being the main one. I don’t need to tell you about that, you would have seen it and experienced it. This has had massive effects everywhere.

Our sport is very, very fast becoming elitist. It used to be something that was accessible by most and it is now becoming out of reach for a lot of people. Simply due to cost. To give you an idea, your average premier league dressage show costs about $60,000 - $70,000 to run. There are many factors that differ from area to area, so these are fairly generic numbers, some will cost less, some will be more. The OCs of your shows need to make sure the costs of the show are covered and that they don’t run at a loss. At best a wee profit may be made which can then be put back into the next show or club assets.

Shows are now bound by new health and safety rules which mean, depending on the discipline, shows that have over a certain number of riders entered, must have a medic or medics on site for the duration of the show. This has added thousands to the cost of running a show. Riders want top class facilities to ride at but then complain about the cost of facility fees.

Over the last month one of the OC’s, I am involved with have been absolutely agonising over costs, trying to find a way to bring riders a show that doesn’t involve increasing costs for riders but also ensuring all costs are covered. Many, many, many hours have gone into looking at budgets, discussing options and desperately trying to come up with ways to generate more income without affecting riders. We have been declined by one of out main grant providers which has exacerbated the issue. This is not anyone’s fault, grants are getting harder and harder to get due to the increased demand and if the government goes ahead with its proposal to allow online gambling funds to go offshore, this is going to get much worse. So many sports, not just equestrian, rely on these grants to help cover costs.

Just recently there have been social media posts regarding one of New Zealand’s biggest equestrian events of the year. This show has thought outside the square as to how to cover costs but still try and keep the show as accessible as possible for riders. The idea was to sell a select few camping and stabling packages to allow those that could afford to, and who wanted guaranteed stabling and camping in a particular area, to purchase these packages and help support the show. Unfortunately, the intention wasn’t very well marketed and missed the mark and instead there was a massive backlash from riders. Comments ranging from, riders refusing to support the show, being unable to support the show, running their own show for their discipline, those kinds of things.

This is the reality at the moment. What do riders expect OCs to do? Costs need to be covered. Gone are the days where most people could do the circuit and enter all the shows they want to in a season. They need to pick and choose with some now not being able to compete at all due to the cost. This is not an OC problem; this is a sport problem therefore needs all of those involved in the sport to help fix it.

Shows not being supported has a massive flow on effect. Less riders mean less money coming in to cover the costs of running a show meaning entry fees need to be increased to cover costs. The sport’s governing body receives less money due to people not registering to compete and less money coming in from shows because there are less riders therefore registration and membership fees go up. Facilities have less ground fees/facility fees coming in so ground fees/facility fees go up as the facility still needs to be maintained. Volunteers traditionally come from the rider/supporters pool. Less riders mean a decreased access to volunteers resulting in more people needing to be paid to fill positions vital to the show being able to be run. Grassroots riders, who are our future top riders, can't afford to compete, gain vaulable experience and progress in the sport.

There are only some costs that OC’s have control over. Again, from a dressage point of view because that is what I know. They can choose to offer prize money or not. They can choose to offer prizes or not. Flash sashes or rosettes vs fairly basic ones for example. Some have an excellent volunteer pool to call on to cover things like food, scoring, office staff, writers, runners, music operator, and some don’t and need to pay people for these roles. Some have access to more judges in their area resulting in lower travel costs and the like, some don’t. Same goes for stewards. There are many other costs associated with running a show that OCs have zero control over but these still must be covered in order for the show to go ahead. Facility fees for example. Governing body fees, medic fees, software entry system fees, things like that.

There are 3 main ways OCs can obtain funds to cover the costs of running a show. Entry fees, sponsorship and funding grants. If the combination of these income sources is not enough to cover costs, the only thing an OC can do if sponsorship or grant money is not forth coming, is raise the entry fees. This then results in less riders, less riders to cover the expenses mean higher entry fees for the next show, higher entry fees result in less riders. Can you see the problem here?

Want shows to continue to be offered that you can attend? There are some ideas below of what you can do to help. Because riders must help. This must be a team effort to save our sport. Riders, our sport is in crisis. If things carry on the way they are, our sport will only be for those with a fair bit of money.

• Enter your local shows.
• Can’t ride and volunteer as well? Take a friend who can help. You in turn go to something they have entered and help out.
• Help find sponsors
• Attend working bees at your local facility
• Have specialised skills required by the show? Offer those free of charge if you can.
• Own a business? Sponsor if you can. It doesn’t have to be a large amount of money, every bit counts.
• Are you someone who just throws your ribbons/rosettes in a draw? Donate them back to the show instead.
• Filling a paid role at a show? Donate the payment back if you can.
• Work in an area that provides services to shows or to your facility? See if you can negotiate a discount.
• Can your local group susidise riders to attend shows to provide more oppourtunity and help bolster numbers? This in could turn encourages riders to join your group.

We absolutely must come together to save our sport. This must be a team effort. Shows are put on for riders and need riders support.