Trainer/coach billing at shows (AQHA/breed shows)

[hokie98]

I know this is a western forum, but I figured there are more AQHA/breed show people than in the other random discussion forums. Just curious for those that show weekend breed shows with a coach or trainer, how do they bill? (I know h/j is a whole other ball of wax, as is eventing & dressage.)

I keep my horse at home (well, he’s boarded at a friends place, but not a training facility), and haul myself to the shows, where I meet my coach. We just got back from a weekend show a few hours away. He has a camper he tows, and generally eats in his camper (i.e. minimal restaurant food expenses). So for this show, my coach got there on Thursday, I arrived midday Fri, showed Sat, and we left early Sun AM due to bad weather. I was billed day fees for Fri & Sat, plus a hotel expense of $75 (he paid $30/night hookup fee at the showgrounds for his camper), food expense of $50, and fuel charge of $45. He had 3 customers at the show, but one ended up leaving early on Sat. I’m assuming we were all billed similarly.

I don’t mean to be nit-picky, but just trying to get a feel for what is normal. This is my second year showing (as a re-rider), so just trying to figure out what’s what… I have no issue with the day fees, and I get the fuel charge, but not sure about how he handles the ‘hotel & food’ expense, when I know he’s eating PB&J in his camper. I saw another trainers website were they charge a flat fee of $125 per night and it’s split among all the customers. But again, maybe I’m just cheap and don’t realize this is normal! I know he has to make a living…but he also is probably eating the same thing there that he is if he were at home. Again, maybe I’m crazy… But would love to know how other professionals charge.

[trubandloki]

Wouldn’t it make the most sense to simply ask him about his billing? Nothing we say will change anything.
Tell him you should have asked before the show but better late than never so you want to know for future shows.

I do not find any of those fees horribly out there so…

[findeight]

Websites can be deceiving, are the clients splitting that trainers 125 a day flat charge for shows also in barn clients also paying for board and training at home? Does that trainer have another job or spouse woking outside the horse business so they don’t have to earn enough to live off of?

Do you sometimes eat ramen or PBJs to save money and expect your own employer to resent you living cheaper then your salary and wonder if they should reduce it? You know he didn’t get that camper or his truck for free and has to pay to operate them plus his at home expenses both barn and personal…

As a haul in client, you may be billed more then in barn clients but, based on what my friends pay for average AQHA shows? This is reasonable and a little below what they customarily pay. We enjoy horses as a hobby and often don’t realize Its a dead serious business for trainers and their paycheck to live off of.

What others charge depends on their status as Pros and often the size and prestige of the show…clients can pay way more for Congress or World with travel, of course, better trainers charge more. Cheaper does not equal a better deal, often wiser to pay more for the best training you can swing.

I think a good comparison is what most pay coaches in other sports. Horse trainers can look like a real bargain.

[bugsynskeeter]

Did he have any assistants that stayed in a hotel? Do you have a contract that outlines everything?

I second just asking him about the charges.

[Spot_s_mom]

I keep my horse at home as well and haul myself. We all pay a day fee (her’s is $65). If she stays in hotel all the clients split that, but in her trailer I’ve never noticed a charge (she shows a couple of her own horses as well at shows). Never gotten a bill for meals. Since my horse isn’t in training, I realize my horse won’t be at the top of this list for her help at shows…she gets on her if she has time…but she gives students all the same amount of time as far as pattern help is concerned.

[sahqueen]

I also show AQHA as a primarily haul in client (will do a month or two full time training here and there)…it seems like when I get bills after a show I have to question it…for being too low!

In general bills are a day fee for days shown, if off days are intense a lesson fee, hotel split and tack stall split. No per diem for food or travel/fuel fee unless your horse travels on the barn rig. Banding/braiding is extra if you don’t do your own, and there may be a “full care” fee, but I’ve always taken care of my own stalls…

[Palm_Beach]

Why not just ask for a rate sheet before you commit to the show? You can ask questions before you incur charges.