Top British dressage rider and trainer, Carl Hester, reflects on the expenses involved in running international shows
LOTS of people go on about having more internationals at home – me included – and I thoroughly enjoyed the fabulous Wellington CDI, probably even more without riding. It was an opportunity really to look around and consider what goes into running an international, and to talk to show organiser David Sheerin, Wellington’s general manager, who was happy to share some figures with me.
Be prepared to have your eyes opened…
Four of the five international judges at Wellington will be officiating at the dressage World Championships in Herning, Denmark, this summer. They also judged some of the Premier League classes, presenting an amazing opportunity for those competitors. It was excellent value, but judges’ expenses comprised 20% of the cost of running the CDI.
Then there’s prize money. This is not set by the show, but by the FEI as a standard monetary amount, which worked out as 17% of the organising cost at Wellington CDI (it was 39% for the recent CSI2* showjumping international!). Anyone else thinking “wow”?
All the other officials required at an international, and the scoring, take up another 15% of the overall cost – which does not account for the time of the Wellington Riding staff.
Of course, the centre is extremely well equipped, with fabulous surfaces and facilities. Investment has been poured into the place, but the infrastructure needed for international shows – the marketing, accounting and, of course, the inevitable depreciation of surfaces and property – does not even come into these figures. That’s all extra.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Here are more of the essential costs involved in an international show, starting with the requisite extra equipment hire at 14% of the total. To ensure horses are secure overnight is 4%, to have a farrier there in case of that lost shoe emergency is 3%, the vet on hand is 7%, paramedics and ambulance is 13% (and you might not fall off, but a member of the audience might be taken ill), a commentator so everyone knows what’s going on is another 2%.
And the arena flowers? A bargain at 1% to give your horse something to spook at. For the bills that don’t have to be paid upfront, invoices must be paid at the end of the month.
Making it viable
MY point here is that international shows cost money. These figures add up, and do not include FEI fees. And while we, as riders, are in it to win or get a great rosette – another cost by the way – we’re also in it to get the best scores we can, and in doing so showcase our horses and put value on them should we put them on the market.
Welly Riding, as it is affectionately known, can put on international events in each of the Olympic disciplines because it’s established, and shows are only part of the business model.
It’s the lessons on much-loved hairy ponies, the clinics, the liveries, the British Horse Society training – just a few of the components that make it possible to have top-class facilities available for us to enjoy at international events. In other words, if David had to run Welly just as a show centre, it would not be viable.
I’m really grateful to David for sharing this information with me, so we can all take a deep breath and a reality check. David and his staff loved doing it all. It was the first time they’d had an international and Premier League run at the same time, simply because of dates, but it worked so well.
Is a £2,000 first prize – for the Nirvana Spa prix st georges freestyle at the Premier League – the highest for dressage in the country? I think it might be, and I recall Diana Barley and Nirvana Spa’s sponsorship when I first started competing at Wellington over 30 years ago. That’s amazing loyalty.
● Do you feel Britain should host more international dressage shows? Let us know your thoughts at hhletters@futurenet.com
This exclusive column will also be available to read in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 23 June
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
One of Britain’s most successful dressage riders and trainers, Carl Hester MBE is an Olympic gold medallist and multi-medallist at European and world championships. He is also the holder of more than 65 national dressage titles and is responsible for the development of the outstanding partnership of Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro. A regular Horse & Hound columnist, you can read Carl’s views in the magazine or website subscribers can view them online below.
