Commitment to Accessibility & Affordability
The Equestrian Team at UW works hard to make sure that riding maintains an accessible sport. We implement annual fees and fund raise in order to support our competing and travel costs. The team also provides awards and plans on offering reduced-cost lessons to make it easier for everyone to ride with us. This page outlines the expected cost and fees associated with showing.
Annual Costs
For Recreational Members
Once-Annual Recreational Team Fee: $30
➼ If you don’t plan on competing on the team, we usually ask for a small fee to support non-competing team events like game nights, travel to field trips, and team events. You are always welcome to join the competing side of things later on and simply pay the remainder of the annual showing members fee.
For Showing Members
If you plan on competing with the team, these are our expected costs. Financial assistance for most fees is limited.
Once-Annual Showing Team Fee: $100 as of 2023
➼ This is paid to the club and helps pay for hotels, gas, and team dinners throughout the year.
➼ DUE: Before your first competition.
Once-Annual IHSA Registration Fee: $45-$75
➼ This is paid to our national governing body, Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association.
➼ The cost to register for one discipline (Western OR Hunt Seat) is $45.
➼ The cost to register for both disciplines at the same time (Western AND Hunt Seat) is $75.
➼ DUE: At try-outs. This fee is presented when coaches have students register with IHSA.
* Please do not attempt to create an IHSA account or make any payments in advance. Our coach will walk you through this. *
Show Trip Fee: $50
➼ This helps pay for hotels, gas, team dinners, and coaches per each show.
➼ This fee also helps even out costs between our showing members who travel more or less than others.
➼ DUE: Before each show trip.
Showing Fee: $30, 35, or 40/class
➼ This is paid to IHSA (our national governing body) and the host team for judges.
➼ Our team will collect these fees from all members and pay to the host team in a single check.
➼ DUE: Before each show trip. Changes made during the competition that impact your amount owed will be adjusted.
Lessons: varies, awards available.
➼ Our lesson prices are dependent on our partner barn and the cost of caring for horses. Currently, group lessons are $60, semi-private lessons (two riders) are $65, and private lessons are $85. This is an extremely steep discount offered by our partnered barn whose lessons can cost hundreds of dollars and is very competitive with lessons in the Seattle area.
➼ Showing members are expected to lesson once every two weeks or so to the best of their ability.
➼ Awards deliver free lesson packages, funded by our annual GoFundMe.
Equipment: varies, borrowing available for most items.
Depending on your discipline (English, Western, or both) you may need to purchase new clothes and gear for showing.
Our team will often purchase items like hats and chaps to lend and makes frequent trips to a local tack consignment shop to find more affordable gear both for the team and for individual members.
The cost of gear should never be a barrier to entry. If you have more questions about show clothes and gear, please email us!
Post-Season: varies.
Competing members who move on past qualifying shows into semi-finals and finals shows are normally expected to pay the majority of their travel costs with some exceptions. Depending on the number of finalists and the team’s current financial status, some reimbursement and aid may be available.
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