Other than coverage of the Triple Crown horse racing--the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes--equestrian sports are largely absent the media coverage that other sports receive. The American equine industry, however, is a vastly diverse and economically productive business. According to the American Horse Council Foundation's 2005 economic study, the horse industry generates 1.4 million full-time jobs in the U.S. and pays $1.9 billion in taxes. Additionally, there are horses in every state and forty-five states have at least 20,000 horses each.

Despite these facts, the lack of mainstream media attention to equestrian sports leave some to believe that horseback riding is an expensive, strictly upper-class sport and not worthy as a career option.

Perhaps the main reason for lack of U.S. attention to equestrian sport is due to American culture as a whole, now becoming one not based on farming, whereas Europe is more of an agrarian society. "One of our missions is to get more and more people involved and raise [U.S.] awareness," says Joanie Morris, Communications Director for the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). "People that have horses as a part of their life are incredibly lucky."

The USEF is at the forefront of equestrian activities in America and recently launched a high school equestrian athlete program which recognizes students in grades 9-12 for their accomplishments in equestrian sport by awarding emblems and pins which can be worn on high school letter jackets. "These kids may not be running up and down the football field every weekend where everyone can see and recognize them, but they work really hard and what they are achieving is unbelievable," adds Joanie. The USEF also oversees NCAA intercollegiate programs which can further an athletes education and training in equestrian sports, while guiding them to the Olympic competition level. The most interesting factor among these programs is that the student athlete doesn't have to personally own a horse.

Still, the question remains: where does this $1.9 billion in tax revenue come from, and how can everyday people get in on the action?

Aside from the prize money available in equestrian sports, "Many people make there living teaching others how to ride, teaching clinics, running stables, and of course as sponsored riders," says Joanie. However, there's something threatening this way of life for many horse lovers: lack of land. According to the Equine Land Conservation Resource (ELCR), land is disappearing at a rate of 6,000 acres per day. "We feel quite strongly about the fact that we need to preserve the open space for places to ride and places for horses to live," states Joanie.

Lori Hamilton, a horse lover residing in Tallahassee, Florida, has found herself more involved with riding over the past 3 years. "I realized that I was happiest and most at peace when on a horse," she says. Around Thanksgiving 2009, Lori's husband purchased her a horse and she has since been riding three weekends a month. "Her name is Baby Girl. She was purchased at a horse sale and my sister-in-law was nice enough to let me pay $200 a month for food and boarding," Lori adds.

Even though she doesn't see Baby Girl as a financial asset, Lori also doesn't feel as if the costs involved with Baby Girl have been hindering. Lori purchases a lot of her riding apparel online via Sheplers.com or Rods.com and the attire she wears to ride is often the attire she would wear day to day. This helps keep costs down. In addition, the cost of purchasing a horse can be significantly decreased by adopting one from the Thoroughbred Adoption Network or CANTERUSA.org. There are currently horses up for adoption costing less that $500.

Another way to get involved with equestrian sport, which has grown quite popular on the competition level, is through the syndication of a horse. Horse syndication essentially means that multiple people pitch in financially to own the horse with each paying an equal amount of the costs. This allows the team of owners to share the experience and travel around the world with the pride of owning a show or racing horse.

Depending on where you live, the accessibility to horses on a regular basis will be different; however, through the efforts of non-profit, and for-profit organizations alike, there is something locally for all to get involved in and help keep the sport and equestrian lifestyle alive in America.

Ballers On Budgets was founded in 2009 as a project dedicated to educating people on how to live within their financial means while increasing their social status within their community with the aim to provide resources, information, and alternatives to spending a lot of money while engaging in a socially active lifestyle.