Commission Question

[equest]

I currently lease my horse. Trainer A is my long time trainer, who brought this horse along from a greenie, and she found the current lease for me, which is being managed by Trainer B who has the horse at his farm. The current lease has several more months before its conclusion. Everything has gone very well, however Trainer B explained to me that the horse’s rider is now looking to quickly move up beyond my horse’s capability and purchase a new horse prior to the end of the lease. Trainer B suggested marketing the horse for me and upon sale/delivery of the horse to buyer, the current rider would be released from the lease. We are in the middle of the Florida show season and it’s a good time to sell, and my goal at the end of the current lease was to sell the horse anyhow .

Using Trainer B to market is obviously a given since the horse is currently leased in his program in a different part of the state from Trainer A. I will of course negotiate the commission to be received by Trainer B as he will handle the marketing, trials and sale. However, I think it’s fair to give Trainer A small fee from the sale. After all, she brought the horse along from green, and I also still work with her and want to credit her for all the hard work that she put into the horse over the years.
Anyone been in a similar situation? Suggestions or thoughts are welcome!

[CBoylen]

Presumably you paid trainer A a commission on the lease?

[equest]

Yes of course. I was not planning on much to A just figured something would be expected.

[blondewithchrome]

IMO, if Trainer B sells the horse, Trainer B gets commission. Considering you probably already paid Trainer A commission when s/he got the lease deal done, you’ve paid on the transaction you needed to pay on. Nothing else is owed to Trainer A.

However, you can always choose to give a gift to Trainer A to express your support. I just don’t think you need to pay trainer A a commission on training and development you likely already paid for in pro rides, schooling, lesson fees, etc!

[Bonnie2]

I think this is very honorable of you. What is standard for the industry and what is thoughtful and appreciative is not necessarily the same. If it is not a financial stretch for you, I suspect you and Trainer A’s work relationship and friendship will be all the better for your recognition of her contribution to the horse’s success.

[Rel6]

Are you going to be buying another horse when yours sells? Because if so, and you would use trainer A for that (who would then get the commission), I would be less concerned about Trainer A missing out on commission from the sale.

[mmeqcenter]

Assuming you bought the horse from Trainer A at or near market price, and paid a commission on the lease they found, I think they’ve already been well compensated for the hard work they put into the horse over the years.
This would be more of a gift/bonus situation not related to the next sale of this horse at all, which of course is completely your prerogative.