How do weekly show leases work?

[coffeehag]

Pretty much the title. I’ve long since been flirting with the idea of doing some sort of weekly show lease to have the opportunity to show at a venue like WEC that just isn’t realistic for me to get my horse to. I know that these things exist but, frankly, have zero clue how they work and would love a general feel for what it realistically looks like before bringing up to my trainer.

The last time this topic was posted was 2019 so felt appropriate for an update considering waves hand everything

A quick note: if it seems like I could swing it financially, I’d ask my trainer if she has any recommendations for the area but she wouldn’t be coming with me for instruction.

Here are my main questions:

• What would a single week lease run (ballpark)? Division would most likely be the Low Adults/2’6 (hunters) and I wouldn’t be looking for a horse that’s necessarily guaranteed to get me in the ribbons; this would really just be about the opportunity to show. That said, obviously wouldn’t want to be riding something so green that I feel like I’ve got to carry my insurance card in my pocket.
• This probably sounds silly, but to be crystal clear, you would pay the lease fee plus your typical show fees; and then depending on the arrangement I assume the trainer’s fee for coaching? Anything else beyond braiding?
• Does anyone have recommendations on folks/barns who offer this kind of thing? Again, don’t need to be cream of the crop, but just trustworthy and kind would be good
• Anything else someone should know in this instance?

Thank you! It feels like it could be a costly albeit exciting adventure if it pans out.

[Madison]

It’s pretty common, and yes, you will pay all the horse show fees, plus trainer fees, plus a weekly fee for the lease. Plus if the barn gives something like Legend in show weeks, you will be charged for that too, so be sure to ask what all is standard/required for that horse. $1500 is a pretty average charge, you may find one for less with a connection, or you might find one for more if it is the winner. Some people will lease the horse out to show with your own trainer, some people are going to want the horse to stay in their care for the week. The best way to work it out would be if your trainer knows someone with sale horses or client horses in the barn that could be leased, so you’ll have a good sense of what you are getting, but you do see people posting ISO ads for this in the FB groups like the WEF WEC HITS Venice group and getting some responses. If you are comfortable catch riding, the option is there for a price.

[coffeehag]

This makes a lot of sense. The cost of the lease itself was really the financial piece I couldn’t figure out, so thank you.

I would definitely ask my trainer; it sounds like if I could swing it it would be a really fun experience.

[Rumorhasit93]

I’ve done this for a sales horse, so I didn’t pay a lease fee, but I did pay all the expenses as if I were showing my own horse (trainer, splits, grooming, braiding, etc). I also did get a bill for $500 for bodywork at the show, and another for about the same from our local vet…so, be sure to ask questions because I did not. But then again, I wasn’t paying a lease fee so I just ate it.

I have friends with sales horses who have offered for me to just pay the braiding and show bill (so, splits, entries, etc) so there are definitely a lot of ways to go about this.

Hope it works out for you, I think it’s a great way to create opportunity when getting your own horse there isn’t an option!

[Ponyplusaninch]

You never the know the relationships your trainer has, and I would 100% start there. You may get lucky and someone has one to sell but can’t ride it in the non-pro divisions on the weekend, and they’re grateful to get the results and the videos from a junior or amateur hopping on.

I will also say I have witnesses a sliding scale from $0 - $3500 depending not only the horse and desired division but also just on what barn/trainer would have that horse for the week. Some trainers/sales people can be more lenient (or not) on price depending on the barn/trainer that horse is going to.

Go have fun! I haven’t done this but cheered on others who did. Sometimes you just want to have a fun week and gain some show miles for yourself.

[TheDBYC]

I wish I had the $$$$ to lease a horse for DD18 to ride a week or two in the 1.10m jumpers in Ocala. Her own horse is great up to around 3’. Anything over that he wants the support of a pro for now. It would be so amazing to be able to lease a horse that is self-confident at 1m+.

[Tini_Sea_Soldier1]

For WEC, it’s typically anywhere from $1500-2500 for the week for lease of the horse and then typically you pay the show fees ($100+ per day in daycare, training/pro-ride/schooling fees, and entries). All-in, expect to pay closer to $3500-4000 for the week, as with ownership, it’s usually around $2000-2500 with show fees plus the lease cost. Since the summer circuit is considerably less chaotic and competitive than winter circuit, you may find a few “deals”, but I’d still bank on $3K per week.

[findeight]

About 3-4k a week is what I have been hearing for horse, show fees, trainer fees, braiding and incidentals at a big circuit show.

Good idea to figure 5k a week just to be safe and allow for your own travel, lodging and food expenses.

That said, there are a million variations on this depending on your trainer and the trainer on the other side of the deal plus whatever you decide upon between both parties here and get in WRITING.

Three questions you need to memorize and rehearse saying until you are sick of them then rehearse them some more.

1. How much is this going to cost me?
2. How much is this going to cost me?
3. How much is this going to cost me?

Never, never, never be shy about asking these or a couple of months after the show you may get a $500 bill for body work. And if asked to ride another horse for whatever reason during the show lease, be sure to ask what that could cost or you may find a surprise bill from a third trainer for leasing and coaching fees on that horse as happened to a good friend ( her trainer was unaware that other trainer pulled that stunt, nothing was signed with that other trainer for that one ride so took care of that).

[coffeehag]

Yeah I think based on all of this I would, frankly, expect to receive (or put together) essentially a contract outlining everything

[findeight]

Dont expect, insist.

[ParadoxFarm]

@findeight

Dont expect, insist.

And understand every word of it before signing.