Trainers and hotels?

[SarahandSam]

Planning for our first recognized show, a couple hours away, and I’m looking at hotel options in the area. I have only been to day shows before, so I’m not really sure what one does with one’s trainer. There’s one other rider going, so I know she and I will cover the hotel costs, but is it acceptable to get one room with multiple beds, or do we get a room for us and a room for our trainer?

I feel awkward asking my trainer about this, since she’s super nice and I know she would probably insist on staying in the one room just to save money for us since she knows we’re on a budget. I assume that getting the trainer her own room is right, though?

She’s the same age as me and I’m more friends with her than I am the other rider, who’s also really nice, I just only know her from one or two lessons. So that all blurs the line a bit.

Mostly trying to find a 3-bedroom condo in the area to negate the whole issue!

[dressurpferd01]

You get your own room, your trainer will get her own room that you and the other student will split the cost of.

[SonnysMom]

Residence Inn by Marriott normally has 2 bedroom suites. That may suit your needs and be cheaper than 2 rooms. They do have free breakfast but it normally starts at 6 am. It is nice to have the fridge and microwave.

[Lucassb]

Definitely agree that the trainer should get their own private room. If the two clients decide to share a room to save on costs, that is of course fine - but I would not assume that everyone would want to do that. You might also want to ask about other show fees your trainer may charge if you have not done so already, or double check your rate sheet so you are not surprised when you get the final bill.

Happy showing!

[arlosmine]

Typically, trainer gets own room, meals and transportation paid for.
Of course warm up coaching payment as well:
Ask before the show to have all of the expenses listed, split them with other rider being coached.

[red_mares]

I would not assume your trainer wants to room with you, even if you are friends.

I wouldn’t plan on the 3 bedroom condo at all.

[trubandloki]

[QUOTE=red mares;8733541]

I wouldn’t plan on the 3 bedroom condo at all.[/QUOTE]

I second this.

Talk to your trainer. Send an email if you do not want to talk about it in person.
Your trainer might like to have their own down time from you (and anyone else who is their client).

[atlatl]

I agree with talking about this with the trainer and other client BEFORE making any room reservations. In our barn, we have some mutual pairings that work well. On more than 1 occasion, we’ve had 3 people in a room with 2 beds and a rollaway or sofa bed.

Either way, we split the trainer’s costs by the number of clients. If the trainer is showing her horse, then she pays a share of everything. For example, if there are 3 clients and the trainer is showing her own horse; we may have 2 rooms for the group. Each client pays for 1/2 a hotel room that they use; all 4 of us (3 clients and the trainer) then share the hotel costs for the trainer. If the trainer isn’t showing her own horse, then the 3 clients just split all the costs.

Our rule is that high score of the day buys dinner. We usually just all chip in something.

[Beentheredonethat]

The trainer is the professional. She should be telling YOU how it goes, not making you guess.

[csaper58]

[QUOTE=SonnysMom;8733269]
Residence Inn by Marriott normally has 2 bedroom suites. That may suit your needs and be cheaper than 2 rooms. They do have free breakfast but it normally starts at 6 am. It is nice to have the fridge and microwave.[/QUOTE]

Another vote for multi bedroom suites. You might also find a multi bedroom option on VacationByOwner. Most of these options will have kitchens, so you can cook & freeze some meals at home (lasagna, pot roast, vegan, etc) and eat healthy for a lot less $$$$. The three of you should sit down and talk it over.

[Mardi]

Question: if trainer brings significant other (non-horse person) to share the hotel room that clients are paying for… do clients still pay the full room rate ? Does trainer reduce the bill ? Hotels don’t charge extra for double occupancy, so the room rate would be the same if 1 or 2 people are in the room. This scenario happened to me once and it was bit irritating. I didn’t day anything, and paid the bill for the trainer and his girlfriend.

[TequilaMockingbird]

If the price is the same whether there is only one person or two in the room, why would it bother you?

[trubandloki]

[QUOTE=Mardi;8733759]
Question: if trainer brings significant other (non-horse person) to share the hotel room that clients are paying for… do clients still pay the full room rate ? Does trainer reduce the bill ? Hotels don’t charge extra for double occupancy, so the room rate would be the same if 1 or 2 people are in the room. This scenario happened to me once and it was bit irritating. I didn’t day anything, and paid the bill for the trainer and his girlfriend.[/QUOTE]

In my opinion I am paying for the trainer to be at the show. If they want someone else in bed next to them at night then that is their business.

When people travel for work and bring a spouse the company does not turn around and ask for half the room rate back.

[soloudinhere]

[QUOTE=trubandloki;8733812]
In my opinion I am paying for the trainer to be at the show. If they want someone else in bed next to them at night then that is their business.

When people travel for work and bring a spouse the company does not turn around and ask for half the room rate back.[/QUOTE]

Actually some companies will not pay for the room if you have a spouse traveling with you. Depends on the company policy.

[WannabeDQ]

[QUOTE=Beentheredonethat;8733723]
The trainer is the professional. She should be telling YOU how it goes, not making you guess.[/QUOTE]

^ this. Trainer takes care of their own room then bills you for a percentage of it along with the other show fees.

[egood]

If your trainer is going solely for you and this other person(not showing) then you get two/three rooms and split the cost of your trainers. I’d look and see if there’s a 3 bedroom airbnb available.

Question: If your trainer is showing as well, when do you cover the cost of their room? If your trainer has already decided to go to the show and you decide to tag along, I figure they should cover their own room. What if you and the trainer decide to go to a particular show together where they’ll show as well? Do they still pay for the room themselves, or do you cover part/all of it?

[OverandOnward]

Keep in mind that this is a working business trip for the Trainer. The same as a corporate employee on a business trip to another office. In the evenings your Trainer will appreciate the chance to take some time to herself to rest and re-energize, and put her work (her students) aside for a few hours.

You may be friends on some level, with very cordial relations. But you and the other rider are the Trainer’s work on this business trip, and everyone needs a break from work to rest and refresh.

Of course it’s up to the personality of the Trainer - some are quite gregarious and do socialize with students at shows. But it’s considerate to assume that when you are not on the show grounds, the Trainer is on her own time and will not necessarily spend that time with you and the other rider, for meals or any other reason. She may enjoy spending her personal time with her riders, but it’s kind to make it comfortable for her to have that time to herself.

The employers I have had would not have paid extra for an employee to have a guest with them, in room rate or meals. If a guest could be there without extra cost, the employer preferred not to know, considering it personal business as long as it had no impact on the work. If there was extra cost for the guest, the employee paid it.

[outerbanks77]

I would talk it over with the other client to make sure you’re on the same page, then tell the trainer you’re going to book (#) rooms at hotel X if that sounds OK to her, and then let her offer to share a room if that’s what she wants to do.

But then, I’ve never traveled to a show with a trainer, so YMMV. A friend of mine would often stay in a client’s RV with her when they were showing on the QH circuit, or bunk up with the trainer he was an apprentice for.

[Rackonteur]

Exciting prospect, going away to a show! Sounds like fun!

You and the other rider each pay for your own rooms, then share the cost of the trainer’s room. In a hotel, where she can have her own room order room service if she wants to, or a pizza, and not “have” to share the cooking and cleanup of meals with the two of you. That would be making her work outside show hours and that would not be fair to her.

Who has time to cook pot roast or other hot meals in July while trying to school and show horses?

This is your first recognized show! Cool! Live the show life, the high life, as much as you can afford of it. When you get back to the hotel – WHEN you do, if you’re not too worn out – you will be wanting some down time yourself, by the pool, in the pool, maybe with a margarita. You will not want to be in a kitchen cooking pot roast or cleaning up the pot afterwards.

[csaper58]

[QUOTE=Rackonteur;8734596]
Exciting prospect, going away to a show! Sounds like fun!

You and the other rider each pay for your own rooms, then share the cost of the trainer’s room. In a hotel, where she can have her own room order room service if she wants to, or a pizza, and not “have” to share the cooking and cleanup of meals with the two of you. That would be making her work outside show hours and that would not be fair to her.

Who has time to cook pot roast or other hot meals in July while trying to school and show horses?

This is your first recognized show! Cool! Live the show life, the high life, as much as you can afford of it. When you get back to the hotel – WHEN you do, if you’re not too worn out – you will be wanting some down time yourself, by the pool, in the pool, maybe with a margarita. You will not want to be in a kitchen cooking pot roast or cleaning up the pot afterwards. :)[/QUOTE]

‘Crock pot’ pot roast, and lasagna are easy peasy to throw together a couple days before you leave, and even easier to heat in a microwave after a long show day.

When I used to show, by the time we were done with chores at the barn, all the decent restaurants were closed and we were too whipped to look at the pool.

If you do go swimming at a hotel definitely take an adult beverage, it may help counter act all the pee in the pool.

I would rather heat up my own food than risk loosing a show day to food poisoning or Norovirus. Especially when doing so saves the $$$ going out would cost.

To each his/her own.