The Morgan World Championship Horse show is just about ready to start. The show is in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (OKC). I have never been to nationals, and truthfully, I don' t know much about it. Check here for more details if you care to learn more.
What I do know about the Grand Nationals is that they are expensive. Some trainers are hauling their client's horses in up to a week in advance (from what I hear). This will cost them an additional $100.00 a day PER STALL!!!! (from what I hear). Many people ship in from all over the country too, New York, California, Maine, Vermont, MICHIGAN - I don't even want to know what that would cost. Then there are trainer's fees (assuming you're going with a trainer). I think some charge $100.00 a day; plus lodging, plus classes, plus feed for horses and self...I am guessing that on the cheap end you would spend upwards of $4,000.00 and on the high end - gosh, $10,000.00+ to go to this show and compete. Many people go and compete at Nationals. I would LOVE to as well, but to be honest, I can not imagine EVER having that kind of money to spare on a hobby (well I could, but convincing my husband to is a whole 'nother story).
My husband and I do alright. I am going to be straight up honest here. B and my combined gross earnings a year are in the very high 5 figures. We are doing alright, not poor by any means, but not loaded either (I wish). We live in Michigan, where housing is very budget friendly. We both have car payments, and I have student loan debt. That's it! I still cannot comfortably afford a horse. I mean at that income, I can't afford a horse let alone pay tons of money to go to a horse show! What in the world are these people doing to afford that? I can't imagine that every single person that goes to Nationals is loaded...am I missing something?
On top of that, we are looking to purchase our first home. We got approved (based on our income debt ratio) for FAR more than we're comfortable paying a month. Like $100,000.00 more! I have no idea who comes up with this, but really? I wonder if this is part of the reason why our country is in such a housing crisis? People are getting approved for loans that they truly can't afford. I'm happy that B and I realize this and are not about to go purchasing some huge house that we have NO business owning at our age or status in life, but is everyone that in tune to their wants vs. ability to afford?
I guess there is no real point in this post. I'm just kind of voicing my thoughts. I simply don't understand how to comfortably afford all of that. I would love to show, but I just can't bring myself to spending ALL of my money on it. I could probably get a horse, but then I wouldn't have savings. Horses are so darned expensive if you actually care for them properly, meaning vetting, teeth, good quality feed and what about emergencies? YIKES! Oh gosh, I am in a frenzy about this, can you tell? LOL.
4 comments:
I can "afford" a horse and I am a single woman. I make $28,000 a year. I have a truck payment, a private loan, horse board and credit cards I also pay on. I live pay check to pay check and I don't buy nice things for myself. Is it worth it to have a horse? YES! There are times when I really really struggle, but I'd rather be poor and have a horse than that other way around. But then again I don't have a husband to convince either. :-) ... and I don't go to expensive horse shows!
On top of general expenses, you could end up with a horse like mine, who sounds reasonably affordable until she decides to CONSTANTLY find new and creative ways to hurt herself. Then you'll end up with an extra $600 per month just for vet bills.
My savings has taken a hit this year and I'm still having trouble building it back up.
But I've often wondered how people afford these shows too. And to be at the level they are, it's not like they just save, save, save and then go to the show... they're doing higher level shows all throughout the year as well.
I limit myself to one breed show per year because it costs me almost $400 for the weekend.
Maybe I'm just jealous because I don't get to show at the championship shows, but I'd feel lucky to be there as a spectator! :)
I agree - showing has gotten ridiculously expensive. But a horse is a must-have for me. It's the first thing I ever wanted, and has shaped my entire life.
Totally agree! When I figured out how much we would need to plan for to do cow horse next year (4 shows total!) I about crapped my pants! And that was just with our direct expenses (fuel, hotel, stalls, entry fees, food). That doesn't even include trainer fees! Of course we are totally hooked on it so we'll find a way to do it some how.
Horses aren't really an option for us, so we're making it work. We tried to be reasonable about buying a house, didn't top ourselves out as far as what we were "approved for", but did still spend more then we had hoped. We felt pretty good about it though, and still do. We have watched friends and family over-buy just because the banks would lend them the money and now they are paying the price...either losing their homes or dead flat broke, barely scraping by. We were also insistent that we get a 30 year fixed rate loan, none of that other funny business, and are VERY glad we did that too. It can be done, just depends on what else you're willing to sacrifice. I'm very lucky because the boyfriend shares my love of horses and is right there with me spending bucks on them. lol Non-horsey people can be so judgemental about all the dough it takes to keep those suckers! Good luck!
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