Show leasing- is that a thing?

[julia.eq.h]

Hi! I can’t really lease a horse right now due to so much school and homework, but I do want to continue showing. Is it possible to do a show lease/ a lease of a horse just for a show? I’ve heard of it but I’m not sure how to find these horses. I can afford 5k+ for a show lease for a week or so but I can’t afford a lease of 60k per year right now just to show.

I was thinking it would be something where I go a few days early, ride and get used to that horse, then show the horse for the rest of the time there. It would probably be the 2’9 job for now. Idk if that’s how it works, I’m genuinely not sure!

If anyone knows about this, do you have any advice on how to find a show lease?

[Rumorhasit93]

YES! I’ve done this, and see it done all the time! Happy to answer any questions via DM.

Some basics to get you started:

• find a trainer that has a large program/goes to a LOT of shows
• try to ride a lot of different horses within this program
• have trainer find you sales horses at the shows (this is the cheaper route!)
  OR
• have trainer find you a horse that is for sale within the program that you can ride/show and may pay a bit more for in the big picture

There are SO many variables as to how this can play out, so I recommend finding a trainer as step 1 and pretty much going from there.

Have fun!

[julia.eq.h]

Thank you! Nice to see someone else has done it!
Is it possible to just lease a horse that isn’t a sales horse or younger horse for a show? Like do people even do that?

Thank you!!

[Rumorhasit93]

Yes for sure, it doesn’t necessarily have to be for sale. I’ve just found that’s the easiest route. But purely show leasing is a thing. My friend actually goes to Europe and show leases (life goals) with a trainer who does just that.

I would still recommend finding a trainer to go through first. I’d just call barns in your area and straight up ask them. This is honestly an appealing client - someone who shows!

[Tini_Sea_Soldier1]

Yes. Plenty people do it to offset costs or because they have a horse that they want to keep going but need to travel during circuit, are having a baby, got injured, etc.
You’ll pay more than you would for an annual lease, so expect it to be closer to $2000+ weekly just for the lease (ie not show costs, stall, training, daycare, etc) if you’re thinking the bigger circuits, but it’s done all the time.
If it’s a sale horse, expect that some of your saddle time may be truncated or need to be coordinated with trials, so good to ask questions first about what happens when…

[Foitin]

Agree to start with trainer. You need access to the opportunity, that’s probably the hardest part. I have leased my horses a few times to in-barn people, two weeks here and there. I plan to do this again as I sell a horse at the start of the circuit. I don’t love the idea, honestly, but sometimes you need the income. Its harder than it might appear to hop on a unfamiliar horse, even a steady one, and ready set show if you’ve never done it before. Just some things to keep in mind. Good luck!