
Real Talk About Horse Shows: Costs, Chaos, and What No One Tells You
From Broke Horse Moms by Angie Trueblood
April 14, 2026 · 28 min · Episode 17
About this episode
Angie Trueblood discusses the realities of horse show season, including costs, types of shows, and personal experiences.
Horse show season is here and if you’re anything like me, it can feel like stepping into a completely different world. In this episode, I’m breaking down everything I wish I had known before our first horse show, from the different types of shows to the very real costs (both expected and surprise) and how to navigate it all without losing your mind… or your bank account. Whether you’re heading to your first schooling show or staring down your first rated show bill, I’m walking you through what horse show life actually looks like behind the scenes. Topics Covered The different types of horse shows (onsite, schooling, away, and rated) How signing up actually works (and why it can feel so confusing) What “divisions” and “classes” really mean The real costs of showing—before, during, and the hidden extras Trainer fees, stalls, tack stalls, memberships, and all the add-ons The time warp that is horse show scheduling (and why nothing runs on time) How I’ve simplified our setup to save my sanity Where it actually makes sense to save money (and where it doesn’t) Why you don’t need to do every show to support your kid’s progress I also share a personal update on Chloe’s goal to compete at…
People in this episode
Host: Angie Trueblood
Topics covered
- horse shows
- costs
- chaos
- parenting
- equestrian
- competition
- preparation
Keywords
- horse shows
- costs of showing
- equestrian events
- parenting in sports
- horse show preparation
- Chloe's Pony Jumper Finals
- showing horses
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Broke Horse Moms
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