I began riding with a new trainer almost a year ago. The progress my horse and I have made is incredible. Now that a succesful show season for us is coming to an end, I would like to give a gift to my trainer to show my appreciation. Any ideas?
I got mine a nice Thermos bottle, the good kind, years ago, and she still uses it and talks about me giving it to her…
Or I think something like a nice fleece vest would be good, something practical.
VB
If there are any clinics coming up in your area that your trainer would like to ride in you could pre-pay the registration & make up a gift certificate.
How about a gift certificate to a favorite store - ours loves Eddie Bauer 
[This message has been edited by jch (edited 10-17-2000).]
Definitely check out the jewelry at Mannuscript Farm. I have one of the cuff bracelets, and it’s beautiful. Even my non-horse friends comment on it!
I began riding with a new trainer almost a year ago. The progress my horse and I have made is incredible. Now that a succesful show season for us is coming to an end, I would like to give a gift to my trainer to show my appreciation. Any ideas?
Things my trainer LOVES (LoVED) as gifts (or provided as suggestions to me)
~gift certificate to a nice resturant
~the day spa thing - some one gave it to her and she really enjoyed it
~gift certificate to a tack store (b/c you always need stuff)
~gift certificate for non horse things (she mentioned the GAP and Eddie Baurer as stores she liked to buy ‘real clothes’ at
~a new cooler for her horse (she picked it out, long story)
Hope these ideas help!
And be sure to include a really nice note saying how much you appreciate her! My trainer helped me find me horse right before Christmas, so at our barn party my parents and I gave her a really nice gift but I also gave her a special card the day after we brought my new horse home and she said it meant alot to her.
Sarah
Does your trainer live and breath horses? Do they have any other activities that they enjoy…like an evening out at a nice restaurant or to a good concert? Think outside the horsey box if you can.
Kathy! I’m in love w/ that foal pin… uh o
I have been trying to think of horse and non horse related gifts. Although my trainer loves horses and teaching, yes, she does have a life outside of horses. But, I know more about her life and experiences with horses, than her personal interests outside of horses. This could be a tricky one.
hey jumpergal! It’s me–> old Medalia. I looked at that site and I LOVE those cuff-braclet things! I wish the Canadian dollar wasn’t so low; then I’d try and scrape enough together to buy one!
Definitely could be tricky!
Have you thought of taking her out for a very expensive dinner on the town? That could be fun for her (and a significant other), and it would be a nice gesture of gratitude. The other thing you can do is get her a gift certificate for the tack store. Then she can get what she wants.
I’m getting my trainer at school a pair of black braided reins. Hers are unlaced and she doesn’t like them because they’re kind of slippery, so I thought I’d get her a nicer pair. She’s been incredibly great to me, giving me horses to ride and not charging me to hack or anything – so I tried to think of something personalized that she could use. And that she would use. If I got her a gift certificate to a spa, she’d freak out at some point realizing that it was feeding time or something…
This is out of the horsey-box but shouldn’t be too outrageous. How about a gift certificate to a “day spa” for massage or whatever?
I think that is something we never take time to do for ourselves.
One of those “splurgy” things that makes us feel special.
I am getting my trainer this fleecy jacket with her barn’s name and a dressage horse embroidered on it…they aren’t that expensive and they look nice…they’re in State Line. Check it out!
Chestnut, check out my web page. I’ve got some really beautiful equine jewelry that might fit the bill…and it comes in a whole range of prices with sterling silver foal pins starting at $19.00 each. They are all handcrafted and signed… I’ve typed in the link below! Enjoy 
)
http://www.mannuscriptfarm.com/silver.htm
Kathy Mann
Mannuscript Farm
Home of the Oldenburg stallion, Mannhattan http://www.mannuscriptfarm.com
This brings up a really good topic. Mannuscript Farm has given me an idea for one trainer. The other may be harder. She is the best trainer I have ever had. Rides PSG and next year, I1. Awesome rider. currently shows dressage… any ideas?
Hi Chestnut, check out Half Halt Press’ website (www.halfhaltpress.com) for their new book, An Apple A Day: A Heartwarming Collection of True Horse Stories, which includes true stories by Kathy Connelly, MAx Gahwyler and others. Many readers on the hunter/jumper board have a thread going about this book, under “A WONDERFUL Book for Lovers of Horses.”
Good luck!
Kim 
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by JeNnA:
I am getting my trainer this fleecy jacket with her barn’s name and a dressage horse embroidered on it…they aren’t that expensive and they look nice…they’re in State Line. Check it out!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Thats pretty much what I’m doing this Christmas only I’m getting the Holloway one from stateline. I’ve had mine in my colors w/ my monogram for a year or so and my trainer is always admiring it - and she’s worn it a million time so I knew what size too…so I ordered it in her colors with her horses name. Of course she knows she’s getting it (we have no secrets and she’s been hinting forever) but I made her promise to act surprised LOL They are really great gifts though - nice, useful, etc!
Sarah
