What to charge for use of horse at show?

[Sonesta]

Situation is this:

I own the barn and 6 of the horses here. I used to teach all the lessons, but have since sort of burned out, so hired an FEI trainer to teach those who board here. I also allow her to use (at no fee) my horses for lessons for outside students.

One or more of these students are now interested in showing occasionally, but are NOT AT ALL interested in buying a horse or leasing the horse on which they are taking lessons.

Of course, our trainer would love for them to go to shows, since she can make money schooling them there.

I think it reasonable that I charge a fee for them to use my horses to show. But what fee is fair?

COTHers input would be very much appreciated.

[Anne]

A “day lease” fee is entirely appropriate, in addition to shipping and all other customary show expenses. You get to decide what’s fair based on the level of the horses’ training, and the risk in taking them off your property. I would say anywhere between $75 per day for a lower level lesson horse type, up to $500 or so per day for an FEI horse on which someone can obtain qualifying scores. Do you want these people to lease or buy horses instead? If so, increasing the price for a horse show “day lease” may give them more motivation to get their own horses.

[Scribbler]

I’m wondering how you can show successfully just taking lessons, unless these students are taking multiple lessons per week?

Perhaps what you need is a “show package” half lease. You get x number of lessons and x riding days per week, plus you get to take the horse to a show (and pay the coach of course for her day).

IMO, you should be getting something for the use of your horses even in lessons. At the moment, you are paying their full upkeep, and coach is making money off them. That doesn’t sound like a great situation for you.

[joiedevie99]

When I was a kid, my trainer charged $100 per day for the horse lease (usually 2 training level tests). If you did one test, and someone else did one test, you each paid $50.

[J-Lu]

OP, The trainer gets to use your horses for free? That is mighty generous of you. Consider having her pay part of the “use” fee for your horses at a show (maybe taking the money out of her day fees).

I can see where students might want to go to local shows if they are taking regular lessons. Will the trainer haul the horses (charge clients) and collect day fees? Will you haul and collect hauling fees? Does the trainer really want the students to show or is she just willing to coach them at shows and collect day fees if they actually go? Are your horses schoolmasters or school horses, and are we talking training/first level? How well is the whole deal working out for you?

I’m posing all of these questions because I think the answers would factor into how I would proceed. If the trainer’s business would benefit from her taking these students “out and about”, maybe she’s willing to participate in the “leasing” of your horses for a day. She’s getting a sweet deal by using your horses for lessons for free, and she might come out ahead at the end of a show day. Also, there will be a limit at which the average person who only takes lessons and wants to occasionally show will pay to actually go to that show. At ~$30-45/class, office fees, hauling fees, trainer coaching fees, horse leasing fees… will add up to a very expensive schooling show for the students. Maybe they don’t care!!

I think it’s fair to charge for your horses to leave the property and go to a show, but I think the price would depend on so many factors.

[rjr]

I am thinking $50 - 100 for the day. That is sort of assuming that these are beginning type riders doing intro/training/first level at a schooling show or very local show. It could be more if it is a schoolmaster type that is competitive at recognized shows. This is a big privilege a lot of wear and tear on the horse, and a lot of inconvenience for barn staff. So, I would think 2 - 3 times the fee for a single lesson on a school horse. (varies a lot by part of the country and quality of horse)

Of course, it depends a lot on what your aim is in having the horses and riders going to the shows. Do you want to encourage riders because you think it will help your program in the long-run (i.e. they will move on to lease or buy horses), do you want to reward a few dedicated students who have done a really good job? Or are these horses that are being fully used in your program already and you are reluctantly letting someone use them for the right price? Adjust price accordingly.

[atlatl]

I don’t know that I’d charge a day lease fee for a show, but I’d sure be charging for use of a horse in lessons.

[luvmyhackney]

I paid 150 for a day lease on a solid 1st level wouldn’t kill me horse to show from trainer. I would also charge for use of my horse in lessons. Do you really want your horses to go to the show??

[meaty_ogre]

A local beginner-focused barn charges $125 for use of horse/pony at local, unrated shows, and $175 for larger, rated shows, both of which include hauling. This would be to use a horse or pony that a student has been taking regular lessons on.
http://annettfarms.com/html/show_fees.html

It’s not a dressage barn, but maybe gives you a basis for comparison. However, the barn cited above owns the horses and gives lessons, so they are making money on both lessons and showing (which I think is fair). As others have said, I would expect to pay significantly more for a horse on which I could earn medal scores.

I own my horses, and I’d be saving a ton of money every year if I just paid for lessons and show rental fees! :lol: You could certainly point that out if anyone complains!

[scruffy_the_cat]

I paid $50 today for use of a school horse at a show. I also paid $60 for coaching and $25 for hauling. It was a local show and the 3 other students showing split the hauling fees.