Forever the "Poor" Client?

[Baybear]

Around me used to be that many show barns had the A show trainer and the local trainer, many of those have gone by the wayside since many rated shows offer unrated classes. But it was great for those who were quite ready for prime time (training and/or budget) could show locally and back then we used to have several good show associations with nice year end awards banquets.

I also have to wonder how good this program will be for the OP if the trainer is now gone more than they’re at home - and is the board you’re paying include the cost of training that you might not be getting because trainer is away? Do you have a truck/trailer to take yourself to shows or would you need someone to trailer you? As much as you like this place maybe you should passively look at other barns that might suit your needs better.

[Curly_Feather]

I also love the yard and my trainer, but I cannot afford the away shows, of which there are several each year. I have a friend who likes the cheaper, closer shows, so we buddy up and go together.

This is just my opinion, but if you love the barn and the training, I would definitely stay put and make my own plan with some local shows. Daily happiness and confidence and progress is worth more, for myself, than a show experience with my trainer.

[AAHunterGal]

One more vote on asking your trainer who you can show with locally while she’s out of town, or if you can go to local shows solo while she’s out of town. Both are pretty common arrangements (though the former more than the latter I think).

For me, if a trainer doesn’t allow something like this, it’s a bit of a red flag. There are few things I dislike more than a trainer who thinks other trainers are always out to steal their clients. Which is NOT to say this doesn’t happen sometimes, but I like trainers with the confidence to let their clients experience other ways of doing things without thinking it’s going to be detrimental to their business.

[Texarkana]

This is something I don’t miss at all about the hunter/jumper world!

I spent my youth and young adult years being made to feel inadequate or somehow lesser because I wasn’t made of money. Even very friendly and kind barns had a way of making me feel bad about my financial status at times.

Even if you love this program, I think it’s time for you to start looking for other options. “Lesser” programs aren’t always “lesser.” The two best trainers I’ve had in my entire life had very humble barns and programs. One is now an “R” hunter judge yet started her entire training and breeding program out of her backyard with a 2 stall shedrow and a garden shed. The other worked as a teacher by day and gave lessons in a worn down circle in her pasture by night. They are both brilliant horsewomen, and best of all, the understood the plight of the normal person.

[trubandloki]

Part of the reason I think it is important for the OP to talk to the trainer and not just leave is that the trainer might truly not realize that some clients want to show at the lower level shows. They might have wrongly taken them not going to the big shows as them not wanting to show. I mean, no one knows your finances so they might have simply not thought about it as you not being able to spend that money.

The OP talking to the trainer will cause it to either be a great conversation where the trainer realizes they need to also find options for those clients (be it they have another trainer added for them to go to local shows or hooking them up with a local show trainer) or the OP will realize that though they love this barn, if they want to show locally this barn will not work for them.

[findeight]

A big part of selecting a trainer is whether you have a trailer and tow vehicle or will depend on that trainer for transportation. That is a much bigger factor in your show schedule then most think it will be and can seriously limit your options.

Found many very good trainers who target mid level to AA rateds will say they will attend smaller well run regional or local unrated shows closer to home but, in fact, they cant afford to. Simply make more taking 10 client horses to a Rated with unrated classes down to 2’ then a handful to a local.

Remember one trainer who would go local but required a minimum of 4 horses to break even on hooking up, hauling, coaching, missing lessons at home income etc. Its a business decision.

Far as just buying a trailer and tow vehicle. Absolutely…but its not cheap to aquire and there are ongoing costs like insurance, maintenance, possible storage fees when not in use. Then there’s gas.

Once was considering getting a modest rig (had one long ago for many years, many advantages). Sat down with the calculator and found that, over a 5 year period showing mostly 4- 5 day rateds within a 350 mile range about 10 times a year? It was cheaper to send the horse with the trainer and not have to miss work to haul. Its complicated either way…especially with decent locals disappearing in most areas. They just aren’t there like they used to be.

[foursocks]

It sounds to me like the OP has a great situation in many ways, and is just wanting to vent a little and get ideas about how to do what she wants without leaving her barn.

OP: I get your feeling of being a square peg! I’m in an eventing barn and getting my trainer to go to jumper shows is really hard because a) she is eventing and/or coaching at events from spring to fall, and b) H/J shows don’t have ride times so it’s often a matter of spending an entire day with one client sitting around hoping the ring conflicts won’t be too bad. It’s just not worth it unless she can meet me, help me out, and zip back home to do the barn and teach, and often the time window is so freaking wide that isn’t possible. I work with a couple of trainers but they are both eventers, so it’s basically the same situation. I go to Aiken in the spring for a few weeks and work and show with a H/J guy down there who is amazing, but that’s just a small slice of the year,

My trainer takes her own horses and brings her other students to jumper shows in the winter and we do get to some shows during eventing season, but it’s always difficult to make it all work. Doing rated shows is especially hard because they are too expensive and not as attractive for eventers who just want to practice stadium without paying stupid amounts.

This is my choice and the benefits of being at this barn and with event trainers very much outweigh the costs, but I’ve had to be really self-sufficient to be able to compete. I have my own truck and trailer. My horse will self-load, and he’ll stand tied to the trailer or on the trailer without fussing by himself all day long. If it’s a multiday show I generally hook up with some H/J trainers I know if my own people can’t be there. I do my stall and such to save money but I get to be with the group and have some company.

And, perhaps most importantly, when I am competing regularly I am fully capable of showing without a trainer. If I’ve been out of the ring for a while for whatever reason I usually need someone to hold my hand for a show or two, but a huge goal of mine is always to be able to show with just a friend helping on the ground so I don’t have to depend on fitting myself into my trainers’ schedules.

All of this takes some resources (having my own rig is not cheap!) and a lot of confidence (thus the occasional need for hand holding), but it’s worth it to be able to do what I want with my jumper and continue to ride and train and board with my excellent eventing friends.

Hopefully you can figure out something similar, OP! It is possible to do this, but it can be tough to find the right path. Good luck!

[Jealoushe]

Do you need a trainer to show? Can you take yourself?

[Rackonteur]

I am sorry you are in this situation.

40 years ago I rode at a hunter/jumper barn, on lesson horses, while saving up for a horse of my own. I worked full-time, made good money, and could have afforded a horse and board etc.

I could have afforded a horse that would have cost about as much as the other riders (boarders) would have paid for a saddle.
Most of their horses had cost about as much as I had paid for my car. They did mostly A shows, in other states, very few local shows.

I feel your pain. I can’t offer any ideas for financial relief, but I can say that mental relief comes from riding your horse, schooling, enjoying him, getting better at the things you both enjoy, without the stress of showing.

Can you haul him yourself to local shows, taking along a friend/SO to groom for you?

[fourfillies]

This is exactly my situation locally. The AAs now offer 2’ divisions. Most local shows are gone. Four or five clients away for four days just makes sense. Do that 2-3 times a month and the remaining weekend is family/sanity time not to take the straggler local clients to a local show that will be a 15 hour day. Nothing mean spirited about it. Just financial reality. And, the multiple day multiple ring shows are long days but not get up at 3am days.

[touchstone]

Wanted to go against the grain a bit and say: If you are at a barn you love, I would not leave over this problem. It’s so hard to find a place where you really like the care and the training. I’ve been this person a few times now over the years, and it is annoying to be left behind for weeks at a time. But you can make it work if you really like the place. And excellent care and training is hard to come by at any price point!

I agree with other posters who suggest chatting with your trainer about whether they have a friend who can help you at shows. Not everyone will love that solution, but no one should be angry about being asked.

Another option might be to just pick one or two expensive shows a year that you find special, and stay home most of the year, versus piecing together a larger number of local shows. When I’ve been at bigger show barns, I’ve found this is a better strategy. But it obviously depends on your competitive goals.

One other piece of advice: When you are the customer on a budget, it helps to be the customer who always pays her bills in full, on time. I always made my constraints clear, asked for prices up front, and didn’t overextend myself. But then I tried to compensate the trainer by being Ms. Reliable.

[Dappled.Hunter]

Exactly! I’m in a great situation, the only issue is doing so many “travel shows”. Otherwise, it’s exactly what I have always wanted.

Glad to hear you have an arrangement that works so well for you and your horse! Sounds like you’re getting the best of both worlds with eventing and and H/J.

I plan to talk with my trainer about attending a show with another trainer she trusts. Though I have shown without a trainer before, I don’t believe my current trainer would be comfortable with such (though it is fun to do everything independently when you can!). Thanks for your input and I appreciate you sharing your experience!

[Dappled.Hunter]

Thank you and I’d have to agree - I don’t want to leave a barn that checks every box except this issue. My bigger priorities are turnout and horse wellness. This barn is the best in the area for such. My trainer notices even the slightest thing out of the ordinary with my horse - sometimes before I do.

I plan to chat with my trainer to see if she’s comfortable with me going to a show with one of her colleagues. As you suggested, I’m leaning toward doing a few local shows and one out-of-town show per year. The quality of the program and care is more important to me than showing - though one day, I hope to be able to do it all!

We have the “Ms. Reliable” mindset in common. Even though I’m not a big money client - I can be punctual. Thanks for your comment and happy riding!

[Ponyplusaninch]

Can’t emphasize this enough re: being the reliable client.

I am not one of the ones at every show, but I try pay everything as promptly and in full as possible and talk to the trainer/BO ahead of time candidly what my budget is so everyone is aware. It goes a long ways in influencing future show schedules (among other things) I’ve come to learn.

[Rackonteur]

@fourfillies

straggler local clients

Really?

No wonder there is an attitude towards a “‘poor’ client” stereotype at some of these barns. Such an attitude has no place in horsemanship.

[DMK]

@Dappled.Hunter

I plan to talk with my trainer about attending a show with another trainer she trusts. Though I have shown without a trainer before, I don’t believe my current trainer would be comfortable with such (though it is fun to do everything independently when you can!)

I’m sure your trainer will be very helpful, ultimately she doesn’t want to see you fail. But it’s certainly worth considering what you can do on your own when you get more comfortable showing. I know people like to go on and on about trainers in the American system, but to be really honest it’s mostly the American Hunter jumper system. The vast majority of people competing outside of that venue go to shows without trainers. And there are some good reasons and circumstances to have a trainer, or somebody setting fences, but it’s probably not as necessary as we like to think it is, or if it is, it’s certainly not a universally held principle for people who compete.

[Rackonteur]

@DMK

. I know people like to go on and on about trainers in the American system, but to be really honest it’s mostly the American Hunter jumper system. The vast majority of people competing outside of that venue go to shows without trainers.

Yes, and it’s only in the modern hunter/ jumper showing system. When I was a kid, kids hacked their own ponies/horses to hunter shows. Yes, it was a safer world then. But they didn’t take their trainers, unless they boarded with them.

Of course, back then, hunters actually hunted …

[dags]

@Rackonteur

Of course, back then, hunters actually hunted …

This was so unnecessary.

@Rackonteur

When I was a kid, kids hacked their own ponies/horses to hunter shows.

I can think of 2 places where you can do this, Santa Barbara, CA and Wellington, FL, and both are gonna cost you a few million to live in. Maybe VA still has some rural-mix land lying around but the average kid does not board within “hacking distance” of a horse show. They require trucks & trailers & it makes no sense for random non-horsey parents to purchase these items. So, already, the trainer is going to take the kid to the show. Might as well stick around, offer some feedback, and help kid get the most bang for their $$$$ bucks.

Similarly, almost no one has access to a hunt club, so you either have show hunters or you have no hunters. This is the landscape, no since hating on it. Especially when there’s plenty of other fixable things to focus on.

For the record, all my “when I was a kid” memories are paved-over subdivisions now.

[2bayboys]

I know some people love to rag on hunters not really being hunters, but seriously, who would risk taking their six figure show hunter out on a real fox hunt? I know I wouldn’t.

[Rackonteur]

Well, plenty of people have done just that, over the years! lol

And plenty still do, taking their very pricey hunters out for a day’s hunting.

I just think it’s funny to call these arena jumpers “hunters” when the only thing their owners hunt is prizes.