Assuming the show is local so your trainer could show up for your ride and leave. What would you expect to pay? Would your trainer even do it?
Yes, my trainer has done it. She charged her usual lesson rate. My previous trainer did the same for me once.
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If the trainer will even do it depends on the trainer and how busy their schedule is. If they have to cancel other previously-scheduled lessons and spend most of the day with you, I’d expect to pay their usual day-rate for shows.
Otherwise if they’re just popping in in their free time for an hour or two, I’d expect to pay a lesson fee or an hourly rate.
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I’ve heard of trainers with far higher show fees, and as long as there is a clear fee structure that is fine - any rates, as long as expectations are clear ahead of time are fair game. I’ve only had lesson fees for schooling, but depending on mileage and if I was getting other help perhaps more. If I were with a trainer who charged more than that I would just plan ahead for it, but I would be very unhappy if it were popped on me as a surprise. (I consider shared groom fees or hotel for trainer fees totally reasonable- I’ve always believed if going away the trainer should have no expenses except for their own personal choices like a spouse or personal horse. They also should not have to share a hotel room, though some will do so to help save.)
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Another factor to take into account is how far away is local for showing where you are?
Where I am, that is at least an hour away.
Does this trainer typically travel to students or are all of their lessons at their barn?
If travel time is not typically worked into their lesson fees, I would expect to pay more than a lesson fee.
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My trainer has done it for me and others when the show is less than an hour and a half or so from home - which isn’t an issue in the DMV where we have so many venues. The cost for me has been her normal coaching cost, which is slightly less than her lesson fee. It’s not a regular occurrence, though, so that might factor into her willingness; if we tried to do this multiple times a year, probably not. She and I have talked about taking my horse to breed-specific shows several hours away, but we would both be showing, so that’s a special case.
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You might also consider asking your trainer if they could recommend someone else to help with your warm-up who will already be there. I’ve done that before, and it can be really helpful! That said, I do tend to be pretty independent as a client.
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Helpful feedback. Thanks!
Also, if you have two rides separated by several hours it would be reasonable to pay more. If your rides are say 10 AM and 2 PM it would basically mean she is giving up about 6 hours including drive to and from.
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Our trainer has a minimum fee for a show so if no one else is going then you have to pay the whole fee.
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