Half lease for the (modestly) ambitious amateur (Westchester/Fairfield)

[RW06]

After many, many years away from horse ownership and the fancy, A-circuit show ring life of my junior years, I have started taking lessons again with a local trainer where I am quarantined for the pandemic (northern New England). Husband and I are moving back to Westchester soon, and unfortunately for all of us, I am ready to dip my toes back in to the more focused, competitive elements of the sport. I am fortunate and privileged enough to now be able to afford board and a modest lease or half lease on a horse in the Westchester/Western Fairfield area but my dilemma is this: with my job, I don’t have the time to have something full time, 6 days a week and I’m frankly terrified of taking the full plunge back into ownership or full-time leasing.

My dream scenario would be to start by half leasing something nice enough to be able to go around the adult hunters with me here and there at say, an Old Salem winter series show. I am not looking to beat the Heritage team at every time out, but I also have had enough experience under my belt that I know I can hold my own, and I want to have fun and feel at least a tiny bit competitive. So: how best to bridge the gap between lessoning 2-3 days a week at the top end of the school horse ability, and full lease or ownership? Does this scenario exist, or are the nice-ish ones only for full lease or sale? If this does exist, and I’m not operating in a pipe dream- would love recommendations for trainers in the area who might be able and willing to work with me. Many thanks.

[Redlei44]

I am not in your market, but in another horsey area. Around here finding a half-lease that can win some nice 3’ local ribbons in good company is theoretically possible but very dependent on circumstance and some luck. Any given barn/trainer may have a fancier lesson or sales horse that would be suitable for you, or not. They may have another owner who is looking for someone to help ride and split expenses, or not (or not right now, or only to hack, not show, etc). The only way you’ll know is to ask around, and be prepared for short term arrangements. If you’re a nice rider, you’ll have more opportunities, especially at a sales barn.

A full lease gives you so much more certainly and flexibility to get and do what you want. But many of us are primarily lessoners and catch riders and make it work because we have to!

[Madison]

Half-leases on 3’ horses may not be impossible to find, but it will be very hard to find – it is the kind of thing that you will likely only get through whatever training program you end up in. The people I know who have been able to find them did so by riding at a farm that has a lesson/showing program where they may have farm or sale horses that they lease, and in one instance someone I know lucked into a half lease when an owner was pregnant and the horse needed to keep going. Your best bet is to find an in-barn lease, whether full or half lease (and your chances are better if you are at least open to considering both), because leases outside your barn are going to come with 5-figure a year lease fees. You will have to balance your expectations against what you are willing to invest – even reasonably competitive 3’ horses are a valuable commodity. I have a demanding work schedule and I never get to ride more than 3 days a week, so I get the appeal of a half-lease, it is just not always an available option so to get what you want you may need to be willing to invest more even if you can’t ride more.

[joiedevie99]

As you know, nothing in this area is cheap, or even reasonably priced. Yes, I think you should be able to find a half lease on something that will improve your skill set and get you back in the show ring for a price. Be open to something a little less fancy, or something that needs to stay in the 2’6" to get started. Half leases can be shorter term, and many more options will open up to you when you get in with a trainer/program and they trust your riding.

Bedford and North Salem are the real hot spots, although there is also Arcadia farther west in Yorktown if you plan to live over towards the river. Off the top of my head, JT Farm, CEO, Ox Ridge, and Beyaert would be worth a call. I’m sure there are many, many more. I’d also talk with the owners of the two tack shops in Bedford, as they tend to know what’s around - Natasha at Horse Connection and Courtney at RIDE.

[Danvers]

@joiedevie99

As you know, nothing in this area is cheap, or even reasonably priced. Yes, I think you should be able to find a half lease on something that will improve your skill set and get you back in the show ring for a price. Be open to something a little less fancy, or something that needs to stay in the 2’6" to get started. Half leases can be shorter term, and many more options will open up to you when you get in with a trainer/program and they trust your riding.

Bedford and North Salem are the real hot spots, although there is also Arcadia farther west in Yorktown if you plan to live over towards the river. Off the top of my head, JT Farm, CEO, Ox Ridge, and Beyaert would be worth a call. I’m sure there are many, many more. I’d also talk with the owners of the two tack shops in Bedford, as they tend to know what’s around - Natasha at Horse Connection and Courtney at RIDE.

Very good advice - I too ride in the area - very expensive and it helps to know someone who rides with a good trainer in order to get a foot in the barn.

[RW06]

Thanks, everyone! I’ve reached out to several places and am wrapping my head around taking the plunge and doing a full lease

[Hkgake]

Omg I am in this same position, also in Westchester! It’s been made more complicated with kids on a reduced in-person school schedule. I’m stuck between riding true lesson horses and full commitment. The lesson horses were great to get back in shape. Now it’s getting a little stale. I looked into leasing but when asked about half leasing it seemed like full lease was the only option. I would love to hear how this works out! Good luck

[fordtraktor]

@Hkgake

Omg I am in this same position, also in Westchester! It’s been made more complicated with kids on a reduced in-person school schedule. I’m stuck between riding true lesson horses and full commitment. The lesson horses were great to get back in shape. Now it’s getting a little stale. I looked into leasing but when asked about half leasing it seemed like full lease was the only option. I would love to hear how this works out! Good luck

Maybe you two should get in touch and split a full lease!

Good luck to you both.

[173north]

I’m in Hunterdon County so fairly similar price points. I’ve had good luck splitting leases on 3’ horses, either older school masters or younger sale horses. It’s always been shared with someone already in-barn and it’s often shorter term or month or month. I don’t think if you call a barn they’ll offer this, but if you’re linked up with the right barn and make it clear to your trainer you’d like to split a horse another client might want to do the same,. My trainer has even sourced horses for two clients to split but I think that’s pretty unusual!

[nutmeg]

Sent you a PM.

[RW06]

As an update: I’ve decided to take the plunge into a full lease. In the process, I’ve spoken to almost every A show level trainer in the Fairfield/Westchester area about their rates, programs, and training options so if anyone needs data or suggestions- please PM me!

[gertie06]

I think the full lease is the right move. It gives you so much more freedom. Lots of horses do fine being ridden 3-4 times a week. So, if you can get out there three times, you only need to find a kid (or pay the trainer) to do one ride a week. Easy peasy, especially if it’s a nice horse.

[panda819]

Check out Carla Sacco’s Zephyr Farm. She runs an honest and reasonable business and is a great horsewoman.

http://www.zephyrfarminc.com/