Is Horseback Riding the Most Expensive Sport? The Cost of Competitive Sports

Expensive Sports Overview

Riding a horse is a dream for many children. However, equestrian sports can only be participated in by the privileged few. The cost of exhibiting a horse internationally can exceed $200,000 a year. This does not include purchasing a horse. Equestrianism, also called horse riding or horseback riding, refers to riding, driving, steeplechasing or vaulting with horses. Ice hockey is the most expensive youth sport, costing around $600 for basic equipment. High end skates can cost over $1,000, and hockey sticks can cost up to $280.

The top 10 most expensive sports help determine if the sport you play is expensive. At number 10 is equestrianism, getting a dressage horse requires spending a lot of money and time training it on your own. The next most expensive sport is polo. Known as an elite sport, polo has high costs for substantial club and tournament fees.

Golf is another very expensive sport, especially among wealthy and influential people willing to pay high membership fees. For example, Donald Trump has his own golf club with a $350,000 membership fee.

The most expensive sport is sailing, with sailing yachts costing $9 million each. Most sailing teams own at least two vessels, making the average total cost over $18 million. Formula One racing follows sailing in cost, with vehicles exceeding $12 million. The factors determining a sport’s cost include necessary equipment, facilities, training, and more.

Which Sport Tops the List?

Formula 1 is perhaps the most expensive sport in the world. An F1 car can cost upwards of a million dollars. The fuel, racing track rentals, crew, and hours of practice can rack up a bill that a select few can only afford.

Participating in a sport at the highest level can be an expensive proposition. If you want to participate in the Pentathlon, you should be ready to spend money on not one, but five sports.

The Whitianga festival of speed is held in New Zealand every year and includes helicopter racing, car racing, powerboat racing, parachute swooping, and jet ski racing. It’s all about speed and money.

According to a 2010 U.S. Tennis Association research, a professional tennis player’s average season’s expenses come to $143,000.

For example, a formula 1 racer needs sponsorship or huge expenses to maintain his car and to buy other safety equipment.

Equestrian Sports: A Pricey Endeavor

Equestrianism involves significant costs for training and maintaining horses. Additionally, the expenses related to travel, competitions, and events are considerable.

The list of the most expensive sports around the world starts with the pentathlon. This sport consists of fencing, swimming, running, pistol shooting, and show jumping. A pentathlete needs to hire five different trainers and invest in various pieces of equipment.

Equestrian is one of the most expensive sports, involving skills like riding, controlling, steeplechasing, or vaulting with horses trained for various competitive sports. The cost of training and maintaining these horses is what makes it one of the most expensive sports in the world.

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