The Flemish equestrian federation, Paardensport Vlaanderen, has seen a decline in membership for the third consecutive year. In the summer of 2022, there were over 42,000 registered members. Last year, the number dropped to just under 40,000. This year, the count currently stands at just under 36,000 members. Looking at the May statistics each year, there is a 2.7% decrease so far this year. The cause? That’s what 'de Paarden Gazet' will look into for its July edition. Meanwhile, we plead our case. Can we get our feet back on the ground and let passion prevail? We are an industry fueled by hobbyism, not the other way around!
This might be the most charged opinion piece we've written in the last three years. But our eyes were fully opened a few weeks ago. From the CSI Eindhoven to the national competition Hippo Jump Waregem... without realizing it, that’s what we had been missing! PASSION!
The equestrian world is a rather bizarre one! As mainstream media tend to do, large sums of money are mentioned and luxury takes the upper hand when talking about 'the horse world'. But those who were at the competition in Sankt-Gallen last week or more locally, noticed that despite the expensive trucks, vans, costly equipment, and high entry fees, we ultimately brave literal mud puddles, rain,... for our passion!
That last point seems - although more than a feeling - to have somewhat disappeared. Our expectations of the equestrian sport have transformed the hobby world into an equestrian industry!
There is NOTHING wrong with that, as long as we keep our feet on the ground. It appears that this is sometimes where the problem lies... When five-year-old horses are presented in the arena with price tags above 500,000 euros, and various (hobby) riders refuse to compete unless there is an optimal sand arena of at least 100x100 meters... then the focus is no longer on what matters. Do you remember the time when you could buy a nice 1.10m jumping horse for 8,000 euros? Admittedly, everything has become more expensive, but nowadays even the foundation of our sport lives in higher spheres. Honestly, why wouldn't they?
To participate in our sport, they have to pay at every turn. We all have a passion for horses, but sometimes the passion for making money from our hobby takes precedence. Professionalism goes hand in hand with increased costs, which leads to a loss of reality... it seems like a vicious circle.
We miss the Boutique Competitions!
This has led to the disappearance of various boutique competitions. As mentioned earlier, being present at CSI Eindhoven and Hippo Jump Waregem made us realize it. We specifically do not choose the largest competitions as examples.
Not so long ago, such competitions were a monthly fixture on the calendar. This week again in Roeser, Luxembourg! All these organizations have one thing in common: PASSION. Passion takes precedence over profit in their organization...
Entrepreneurship goes (went) hand in hand with equestrian sports in these organizations. It is a much better promotional stunt than a TV series or an advertising campaign on social media. It is an entry into our beautiful sport! Unfortunately, it is only at the highest level that such organizations receive support from the federation. Finding sponsors in our sector is becoming increasingly difficult, and even non-equestrian sponsors are harder to convince.
The continuation of these organizations, their support should be a priority for the entire 'community'. Whether it’s the federation providing financial support or the riders acknowledging the efforts by eagerly sponsoring the bar. Every little bit helps!
This is not a plea to pass the cash register again, but to realize that without such passion our sport will deepen further into the vicious circle of professionalism! Step 1? A federation needs to be healthy but is not an economic entity. Support for the sport should continue to rely on volunteers and... as difficult as it may be, we must learn to realize that the more we demand, the further we sometimes move away from what really matters, the pleasure of riding!
Therefore: hats off to the organizers, volunteers, and passionate (hobby) riders! It won’t get cheaper, but maybe the time will come back, the time when pleasure was the most important aspect at your (national) competition!
This might be the most charged opinion piece we've written in the last three years. But our eyes were fully opened a few weeks ago. From the CSI Eindhoven to the national competition Hippo Jump Waregem... without realizing it, that’s what we had been missing! PASSION!
The equestrian world is a rather bizarre one! As mainstream media tend to do, large sums of money are mentioned and luxury takes the upper hand when talking about 'the horse world'. But those who were at the competition in Sankt-Gallen last week or more locally, noticed that despite the expensive trucks, vans, costly equipment, and high entry fees, we ultimately brave literal mud puddles, rain,... for our passion!
That last point seems - although more than a feeling - to have somewhat disappeared. Our expectations of the equestrian sport have transformed the hobby world into an equestrian industry!
There is NOTHING wrong with that, as long as we keep our feet on the ground. It appears that this is sometimes where the problem lies... When five-year-old horses are presented in the arena with price tags above 500,000 euros, and various (hobby) riders refuse to compete unless there is an optimal sand arena of at least 100x100 meters... then the focus is no longer on what matters. Do you remember the time when you could buy a nice 1.10m jumping horse for 8,000 euros? Admittedly, everything has become more expensive, but nowadays even the foundation of our sport lives in higher spheres. Honestly, why wouldn't they?
To participate in our sport, they have to pay at every turn. We all have a passion for horses, but sometimes the passion for making money from our hobby takes precedence. Professionalism goes hand in hand with increased costs, which leads to a loss of reality... it seems like a vicious circle.
We miss the Boutique Competitions!
This has led to the disappearance of various boutique competitions. As mentioned earlier, being present at CSI Eindhoven and Hippo Jump Waregem made us realize it. We specifically do not choose the largest competitions as examples.
Not so long ago, such competitions were a monthly fixture on the calendar. This week again in Roeser, Luxembourg! All these organizations have one thing in common: PASSION. Passion takes precedence over profit in their organization...
Entrepreneurship goes (went) hand in hand with equestrian sports in these organizations. It is a much better promotional stunt than a TV series or an advertising campaign on social media. It is an entry into our beautiful sport! Unfortunately, it is only at the highest level that such organizations receive support from the federation. Finding sponsors in our sector is becoming increasingly difficult, and even non-equestrian sponsors are harder to convince.
The continuation of these organizations, their support should be a priority for the entire 'community'. Whether it’s the federation providing financial support or the riders acknowledging the efforts by eagerly sponsoring the bar. Every little bit helps!
This is not a plea to pass the cash register again, but to realize that without such passion our sport will deepen further into the vicious circle of professionalism! Step 1? A federation needs to be healthy but is not an economic entity. Support for the sport should continue to rely on volunteers and... as difficult as it may be, we must learn to realize that the more we demand, the further we sometimes move away from what really matters, the pleasure of riding!
Therefore: hats off to the organizers, volunteers, and passionate (hobby) riders! It won’t get cheaper, but maybe the time will come back, the time when pleasure was the most important aspect at your (national) competition!