Equestrian Industry Report – June 2017
In a quick summary, the state of the equestrian industry is healthy and growing. The industry contributes approximately $39 billion in direct economic impact to the U.S. economy, and supports 1.4 million jobs on a full-time basis. When indirect and induced spending are included, the industry’s economic impact reaches $102 billion* (American Horse Council). The equine industry continues to grow with dressage being at the forefront.
Within the industry, dressage riders are increasingly getting creative with designing their saddles. Originally, a typical dressage saddle was black on black with maybe a colored welt, but nothing intended to differentiate one rider from another. In today’s dressage world, this has all changed. Saddles are a work of art – a statement – a place for riders to differentiate themselves from others. Options on these “fashions statements” are endless and as you can imagine, very diverse from old school to new school thinking.
Of course the sport will always have the traditionalist who feel black on black is classic and beautiful which of course it is. But the new school and millennials in all of us want to show a little of our own character by adding colors, crystals, and just about anything you can think of to put a personal stamp on one’s saddle.
So regardless if you’re new or old school, the equine world looks to continue to grow. Recent news of from the International Olympic Committee announcing that the sport of equestrian will continue to be in the Olympics at least through the 2024 Games is proof that our sport will continue to be a part of thousands of peoples lives for years to come.