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Just to give you an idea of my revenues and expenses, I netted about $4700
revenue. This was for 63 starters, some of whom were 1/2 price (ride
managers, juniors).
My expenses were as follows: Vets, $1325 (since I was counting on more
riders, and considering the difficulty of the ride, I went with an extra
vet in case we needed to treat a horse); awards, $1372-this included 144
6-pack coolers w/logo, t-shirts for weight div., gourmet gift baskets for
BC's (~$100), runner-up BC awards, top ten awards, 1st place award ($100
gift certificate to L.L. Bean). Since I only had 45 finishers, I have a
WHOLE LOT of coolers left! Unfortunately, I can't send them back. When I
ordered several months ago, I was counting on +-100 riders plus extras for
my ride crew (I believe ride crews should be recognized, too).
Humming along, I spent $1150 for dinner Sat. night and to feed my crew
Fri. night (most of the crew had to spend the night Fri. night); $106 for
insurance; $275 for someone to handle the water (this was more than usual
because Alex blew a tire on the ride and the ride paid for a new one),;
supplies-$536 (this included canopies for vets and timers so they'd be out
of the hot sun, extra water troughs, etc) and $96 postage, entry supplies.
Last, but not least, AERC fees and drug fees equal $438.
Consequently, you can add-up the numbers. It's a big, fat negative. As we
all know, hindsight is 20-20. I could have purchased less awards (but I was
wooried that I might get a big turnout), I could have been "scimpier" with
my crew, I could have given less-expensive completion awards.
If I decided to put on the ride next year, I would undoubtedly have much
less expense, seeing as I would have a lot of my completion awards already
and most of my supplies. Also, I would not heed some of the advice that I
did this year. But, since I'm dealing with somebody elses money (and
non-profit ), I don't feel comfortable gambling again with the money they
have worked so hard to raise.
One good thing is that I MADE last year about the same as I lost this
year. Consequently, between the two rides it's a wash (I was VERY frugal
last year since it was the first year).
I'm sure it takes years of putting on rides to get the formula down. I
look at Terry Howe's rides and see all that she offers her riders and think
"how does she stay above water"? I undoubtedly went overboard as a result
of the financial success of last year's ride. However, I felt I was
"investing" in future rides. Unfortunately, I grossly miscalculated what I
could afford.
Carol Barrett
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