Has the Horse Industry gone totally tone-deaf?

Just a few weeks ago USEF announced a significant increase to their fees starting in 2026, and today there was an article shared by the Chronofthehorse about a US team rider making a statement that its all gotten too expensive to keep going. So, I wanted to talk about it- and I am sure this isn't going to earn me friends. I find that the top tier in the horse industry is truly out of touch with the other 90+% that make up the membership in horse sports. I think seeing ads for things like Netjets in the USEF magazines sums up a lot- as someone from "normal" means the consideration of booking a private chartered plane is well outside of my means. The CEO of USEF makes close to half a million a year- when on average CEO's of Non-profit companies make $100-200k. This is something I find vastly interesting having a degree in Non-profit Management- and yet all of membership rates continually increase, costs of shows go up(because we sell show dates), and opportunities still remain top heavy being given to those who can afford it. 
Then this article is shared about how a team rider isn't able to afford it- keep in mind she rides a proven GP winner purchased by her Dad who owns his own company and they reside in southern California- one of the most expensive places in the USA to have horses. I find the discussion that someone from that financial background not being able to afford "making it to the top" to be statement enough. I don't share this to bash her but instead point out how tone-deaf our industry has become. 
I am from a good-sized town in Indiana where I had a high school graduating class size of 400+; I had friends who would work to help their parents pay basic bills. I was looked at as the wealthy, privileged friend. Keep in mind, my dad drives a semi for a living, and my husband is an NCO in the Air Force. When I was a youth rider, I had the dreams like many to try to make a team one day, but now I see the industry for how it is. The game isn't fair, it never will be, so don't expect it to be. So, I shifted my concentration from "making a team" to developing horses to the highest levels. 
See the difference is that I didn't have family money to go to Helgstrand and buy a horse that was a known quantity to try to play the game. Instead, I went into Amish field and auctions and I saw horses who never had been touched by a vet or farrier and I had to envision what it could become. This doesn't make me better; this makes me different. Then I took those horses and put 6,7,8+ years of training into them. Now I have four horses competing at 3rd level and above and another two I am starting this year, and more in coming years. I can't afford to buy a trained horse, nor at this point would I want to. With that being said- I very much doubt you'll see me on a team anytime soon, if ever. And that is with great opportunities made by possible by scholarships and parents who are horse people.
This has been the first year in many that I have competed at even a regional championship- because it has been simply too expensive to go to just be middle of the field. For us to qualify to go was easily $3000+ in show fees and memberships, then another $2000+ to take 2 horses for 4 classes and 3 days to regionals, and now we are going to finals which is going to be another $4000-5000 all said and done. And we are the cheap seats. This doesn't even come close to the cost of keeping and maintaining FEI level horses at a competitive level- If I had to put a number on each, I would say it's in the $10,000-20,000 range per horse. I have had less than 15 lessons a year the last 2 years because I only work with those who have done what I want to do and at $200+ a lesson I can only swing it every so often. And I have no issue paying them that- I understand as a coach. 
Now compare that to the $42,000 I made last year. I work two jobs- I work remotely for a University in admissions and also coach as much as possible(and travel to do so). Financially I couldn't do this without help from family at this point. So how do we expect to have a next generation of competent trainers who can prove that they can do this (generally meaning they bankroll the first horse or two) if rates keep going up and even those with money can't make the cut? And then we constantly discourage them if they "think outside the box" by choosing a horse who isn't bred for the job? 
And you know the thing is- that there are a lot of people who are working a lot harder than I am to get a shot. So, at what point will all those with the money stop stroking their egos about how hard they work and gain a little perspective? It reminds me of when I was a pony rider and a junior rider was complaining that they had to show their $40,000 horse against another Junior rider who was riding a retired Olympic horse.  There is an immense amount of privilege in this industry and at times I find it overwhelmingly disgusting when compared to what normal America looks like. And yet those at the top just keep jacking up the costs-- And then wondering why there isn't more "at the grassroots" while they encourage those with money to go to Europe and buy it instead of taking the time and making it. 
I have taught a couple of local pony clubs now, and there is talent there. But I watch them and I know that while it was expensive for me when I started out- that it's going to be worse for them. And we wonder why the industry is dying out. Why we have fewer veterinarians, farriers, and decent trainers?