DD Expensive Taste-Horseback Riding, Figure Skating & Ski

[Anonymous]

I've been following this thread because 8 yo DD is begging to ride. I personally cannot stand horses, but I'm supportive on general principle. DH is terrified we'll get in over our heads financially. Can someone take pity on me and break down eventing v. hunter-jumper v. just being in a pony club or whatever other options are out there? I honestly just figured we'd call a conveniently located riding school if we gave in, but it sounds like there is direction we can give at the outset?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. DD’s riding teacher says she doesn’t need to have her own horse to progress. I’m skeptical as most girls there have their own horse. Everyone on the team certainly does. Is this the first thing I should nip in the bud?

My daughter doesn’t have her own horse and she participates on an IEA team. No need for a horse as you travel around to different barns and ride their horses. It’s a great sport and if you’re merely taking lessons and/or participating on an IEA team, very affordable.

[Anonymous]

I have a horse-crazy daughter who I finally let start taking weekly lessons this summer. She's 8, but I'm amazed about how much she's learned in such a short amount of time. I don't know if we'll ever get into shows or buy a horse, but she's already learned so many great lessons about patience, responsibility, confidence, problem-solving, hard work, and more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD rides and shows a bit. We partial-lease a horse. Our yearly cost is about $27,000. I think this is the bare minimum. The majority of the other girls at the barn own or full lease. We have told DD that we cannot afford more than this. She LOVES horses and has never complained and feels like she is part of the barn team and enjoys spending time there. In addition to the money, there is a lot of driving to the barn as well as shows, which are a full-day event in some faraway place.

Can I ask what barn?

We are in SoCal. The 27K includes board, feed, medical, lessons (3 times a week), training, grooming, and show fees etc. We are definitely the budget client of the barn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a daughter who figure skates. If your daughter wants to skate recreationally, it is not terribly expensive - you can do group lessons and buy inexpensive used skates. If she wants to skate competitively, it is hideously expensive. My daughter's skates cost close to $1000 for boots and blades. Ice time is $400+ per month, plus private lessons at $50 per half hour.

NP here. Where do you get your figure skates sharpened? I live in DC (recently moved here) and don't know where I can get $1000 skates reliably sharpened by someone experienced. TIA!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wanted to let my daughter try anything. A luxury I never had. Well, whoops. She likes the expensive stuff (see above). Are there less expensive ways to participate in these sports (esp Horseback riding).

All three of these are very time consuming – if she actually wants to get really good and all of them then she in fact has to pick one of them otherwise she’ll be good at none of them. Can do the others cheaply and for fun.