Equestrianism: So much more than just horsing around

Living the Olympic dream: dressage rider Amy Stovold

10 April 2012

As Olympic sports go, surely none can be more expensive than the equestrian pursuits. Factor in the simple business of bedding and feeding a horse and you could be looking at up to £6,000 a year. Add the cost of grooms, a horsebox, tack (including a saddle that's tailored to fit your horse perfectly), vet and farrier bills, competition entry fees, hoof oil, electrolyte supplements, an equine masseur (who knew?) plus a diamanté stud here and there and you can see how things start to tot up. And that's before you consider the horse itself. A couple of years ago, a dressage horse named Moorlands Totilas was sold for an estimated £22.5 million.

Then there's the matter of presentation when you enter the competition ring.

"Although you're not marked for your attire, dressage is considered to be the more elegant of equestrian disciplines and it's important to project the right image," says Amy Stovold, one of Great Britain's leading dressage hopefuls for 2012. "While ill-fitting clothes can hinder your riding performance, I always feel looking my best boosts my confidence and shows respect to the judges."

Competing in the Grand Prix event, Stovold, 32, wears a top hat, a bespoke tailcoat, breeches with a diamanté belt, her favourite pink polka dot shirt, a stock and a pin that has been in the family for years and acts as her good luck charm.
She wears her hair in a netted bun, has perfected the art of "naturally glamorous" make-up and ensures her horse, Macbrian, has his mane and forelock plaited before completing his look with a custom-made browband with Swarovski pearls set in black leather.

"The financial cost is enormous," adds Stovold. "Yet that's nothing compared to the time you need to invest. Ensuring your horse is kept at an optimum level for competition is a 24-hour job that requires your attention every single day of the year."

How much it costs

The horse

Olympic-standard horses cost from around £200,000

Groom - Stovold has four, costing approximately £10,000 each a year. Total £40,000

Bedding and feed - Stovold is sponsored by Balance Horse Feeds but the cost of hay, wood shavings and cereals costs up to £6,000 a year.

Farrier and shoeing - competition horses require shoeing up to once a month, totalling around £1,080 a year

Hoof polish - three pots per year, £5 each. £15

Regular training sessions - £70 a session, twice a month. £1,680 a year

Trainer attending shows - Stovold spends around £1,000 on this for nine shows per year. Total £9,000

Vet - Stovold may call her vet out nine times a year and pay a surplus for treatment, totalling around £500 each time. Total £4,500

Equine osteopath - may be required up to once a month at around £80 a time, totalling £960 per year

Equine chiropractor - the osteopath and chiropractor can identify potential injuries before they become serious and also offer pain relief. £50 per session once a month, totalling £600 per year

Equine dentist - £50 required every six months, £100 per year

Electrolyte supplements - you need to balance the horse's hydration levels, five £25 tubes a year. £125

Cyclo-Massage Equine Massage Rug - the vibrating action warms and massages major muscle groups in the neck, shoulder and back £3,100

Glucosamine supplements to help keep its joints supple - five £40 tubes a year. £200

Domestic competition entry fees - £35 a month, £420 a year

Stabling fees during domestic competitions - £150 once a month, totalling £1,800

International entry fees (including stabling fees) - around £450, around nine times a year. Total £4,050

The rider

Made-to-measure top hat - £300

Hairnet trimmed with stones - £8.50

Hair-tie - £10

Jewellery - Stovold wears simple earrings and a watch for accurate time-keeping. Approximately £100 for both

Equetech dressage coat - Stovold has two personalised coats, one navy with a grey pinstripe and silver piping, the other with red pinstripe. £350 each, total £700

Equetech waistcoat - £86.99

Equetech shirt - riders need a selection of thicker, long sleeves for winter and lightweight short sleeves for summer events. £35.95 each

Equetech stock - £23.50

Stock and pin - have often been in riders' families for years.

Equetech white breeches - "These are made to ensure there's no extra bulk between the rider and the horse and are made from a thin, breathable fabric", says Stovold, who has four pairs for competitions. £81.95 each, totalling £327.80

Otto Schumacher diamanté show belt -- £185
Equetech socks - are designed to be as thin as possible to prevent rubbing. Stovold takes three pairs to competitions, £7.95 each, totalling £23.85

Patent dressage riding boots - "These need to fit perfectly, so they are made with exacting measurements for every rider," says Stovold. £800
Spurs - £90

Track and equipment

Horsebox - a top-of-the range box with air-conditioning, central heating and a fully-fitted kitchen and bathroom could cost around £250,000

Driver - without her own horsebox, Stovold hires a box and driver for £2,000 for international shows up to nine times a year. Total £18,000

Bates "Innova" Dressage Saddle - is personalised to fit each horse. £1,190

Isabell Werth rolled leather bridle including four reins - according to Fédération Equestre Internationale regulations, all competitors in the Grand Prix event must ride with a double-bridle featuring two bits and four reins that allow for greater communication between them and their horse. £270

Two bits £200

IV Riders customised Swarovski browband £115

Dressage saddlecloth £45

LGV driving lessons and licence to drive a horsebox £1,500

Horse passport £180

Horse flights: horses are checked, go through something similar to passport control and are stabled in what is effectively the "departure lounge" before boarding the plane. There is a choice of economy (three horses in one container), business (for two horses) and first class (for one horse only). From £7,000 to £11,000 per horse

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