As a full time working lady without a wealthy family or hubby backing me up, I have beens struggling with how to afford and do the whole “horse” thing responsibly and somewhat competitively. I love to show, keep up my riding skills and I enjoy a horse with a little pizaz. I am have a nice full time marketing job that I am proud of but does not offer an extra $1400 a month that it takes to have a horse boarded and in full training in the SF bay area. I could possible afford board, shoes and the ever so often expensive vet bill at around $800 a month - but this would eliminate the trainer part of the program. I grew up riding in a full training program and I have not owned a horse without being in one. Ihave dabbles in half leases, but after riding over a 1000 difference horses, I would really like to be able to pick out and have a horse to my own. My questions is for the adult amatures out their that are not in a Full Training program but still want to compete on some level in the hunter-jumper or eventing disciplines, How is it going? Do you seek out lessons every so often? Do you feel like you run into trouble? Need help? Or do you feel like you made the right choice and are totally fine without a trainer to give you lessons, turn out and and help with the details? Would love to hear your story.
i know its not owning but what about a half lease on a nice horse? its saves a ton and will allow the extra to put used for showing. up in your area there should be quite a few barns.
I find that I end up slacking off and instead of working we lollygag around without a trainer to keep me on task.
Let me tell you my story:
I got a green baby (4 y/o) about a year and a half ago. I was under the intention of riding him under a lesson program with my trainer at that time. I took (maybe) 3 lessons under that trainer and moved barns. She was treating the horses wrong and her teaching was not consistent - she would tell me one thing and the next day tell me the opposite. Also, she treated her customers horribly.
I moved to a barn down the road and took lessons under a trainer there. It worked well for the first few months, but she taught me inconsistently as well. Because of the inconsistency, I was confused and did not understand how to ride my greenie and he (the horse) was starting to get short with me because I was sending mixed signals. I stopped riding for about 5 months as we put him up for sale and paid the trainer to ride him for us.
Well, the trainer never ended up selling him (she only had a handful of horses boarded at her place, so I don’t think she was too motivated to sell considering she would lose 1/5th of monthly income, if not more because of the training rides). We were going to put him up at a friend’s property to be “wild” as we could not afford the monthly board anymore considering I wasn’t doing the hobby I loved and the horse wasn’t selling.
In a last minute effort to regain the horse I lost, I decided to try him one last time (but NOT under a trainer) before he left the barn. He has been perfect for me ever since (note=he wasn’t ridden in a couple of months due to bad weather and the trainer never getting on him despite us paying her to do so). I may not be riding him perfect according to George Morris, but my current trainer is now wanting me to compete despite not having been in a lesson under her since about last year.
Personally, what I found is that it was actually best that I wasn’t under a trainer. I now realize I have more experience than I thought I had before. I am able to better focus when I’m riding, I’m not sending mixed signals to my horse, and it made me more responsible. For example, before if I got super frustrated, I would take it out on my horse. Now, I have learned to have a lot more patience as whatever I do is my fault if done wrong. That, and I’m not taking my frustration towards my trainer out on my horse.
Online articles and YouTube and general questions to other horse people I know seem to work better than my trainer’s advice. Granted, she is very young and inexperienced. But I also like seeing different ways to approach something new online, versus going “her way or the highway.”
I also just got tired of the general inconsistency of trainers, decided it wasn’t worth it. :no:
I hope this helps, feel free to message me or reply to me and I can help as best I can. :lol:
Agree with possibly finding a lease situation. That said- I am a full-time working, self-funded hunter ammy- caveat I have mine at home. I trailer out to a fantastic hunter-jumper trainer up North of me but not weekly (he’s an hour away so that 4 hour total if I take my daughter and her pony). I sometimes trailer out to an eventing barn (where my kid does PC). Just this weekend we did a schooling dressage show at the local horse park. I’ll do a little unrated hj show on my own in a few weeks and hit WEC this winter with the trainer if we can coordinate schedules. Otherwise I’ll go on my own (like last year).
I try to hit some clinics if they fit into my schedule.
I was doing weekly lessons, and I really love the trainer. It just got so exhausting for me hauling out.
You should go read my blog! I am a DIY amateur and do everything on my own. Yes I have a supportive husband and family, but I bust my butt to make it all happen. It is possible to do if you really want it bad enough! I pick my shows out around my work schedule and sometimes throw in a few Hail Mary’s for fun! My horse lives out 24/7, but has a stall as well…we never use it unless for the vet, medical or severe weather. It’s super cheap, but works best for us! I never really buy anything full price and just buy second hand or mad discount. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message! It’s possible, just have to be committed to the fact that you’re capable doing of it and having fun while doing it!!! I take clinics when I can in lieu of lessons, so much more beneficial for me and Finn!
I am an adult amateur. My horse and I have been a team for 12 years, so we’re not new at this whole thing. He’s now semi-retired and we occasionally do the odd local show at 2’6". I board at a farm with an active junior lesson program and I take a handful of lessons a year. I make sure I come out of lessons with homework, and when I run into a problem I go back to the books and theory. I’ve been fortunate to have had very good instruction throughout my life, and I have a lot of good voices in my head. I watch other lessons at the farm, whether or not they’re “on my level,” and seek out educational opportunities where I can. For instance, last weekend I scribed for a Junior ANRC Equitrial, and as a starter for local shows I sometimes have the opportunity to sit with the judge or the steward. You can learn a lot by keeping your eyes and ears open.
I think I am totally fine. I am riding a damn good horse I know very well and because he is semi-retired from our previous level of competition, we are technically schooling below our level of experience (though I’m pleased to say often at a higher degree of quality than we accomplished when younger and dumber.) If I had a young horse I were bringing along, I would probably reach for professional input more quickly to ensure that I was training my horse effectively, but I’m a reasonably competent rider and I know my limits.
I think one of the big considerations is what will your horse do on days when you can’t get to the barn. Many barns in the Bay Area have limited turnout and often the turnouts themselves are not very large. So the question is, if you can’t make it out, does that mean your horse pretty much sits in his stall all day? Often, for someone working full-time, a big benefit to training is the care and exercise the horse receives on the days when life gets in the way and you just can’t get to the barn.
The answer will depend on your level of knowledge and experience. A lot of amateurs over-estimate their abilities. Some amateurs are very capable and can function well outside a professional program, but these ammies often have a lifetime of knowledge and experience and (here in the Northeast), many keep their horses at home and manage their programs 24/7.
Could you take on a full lease (sans any training) for a few months to test the waters? Do you have your own truck and trailer to haul out to shows? Do you have a close enough relationship with any present or past trainers that could give you an honest assessment as to your likely level of success “going it alone”? Do you have any ammie friends that successfully “go it alone” who could help you assess the situation? All rhetorical questions, but worth pondering.
Just my story- not that its the right fit for you, but maybe will give you some insight!
I am an AA, grew up in a program and working at the barn, took a break in college and have been back in the saddle for 3 years now. I currently work with a trainer and lesson on one of his horses he has made available to me. I know this isn’t possible for everyone but I am fortunate it has worked out for me. The plan is to look for a lease next year so that I can test the waters on full time ownership. I’m not sure I have the time/money so I don’t want to permantely commit first. Staying in a program is for me my first priority- but that is largely due to my goals. I want to show rated hunters if I end up leasing/buying in which having my trainer is going to be invaluable. I also just really love working with him and appreciate the advice and insight he offers. I am also very fortunate to have a fantastic AA friend who will call me out on bad habits when were hacking. So I guess I would say it really depends on your goals, for me a trainer is going to get me to the goals (and I enjoy the structure), but if I only wanted to do a few C shows or local shows, I might not chose to pay to be in a program.
Ummmm…4 over fences and a hack in tne Adult Ammie division at an A show is going to be spread out over 2 days, usually not Sat-Sun requiring time off work and will cost you a months board just to get the horse off the trailer into a stall and a back number in that one division. They ding you with a hefty " schooling" fee if you skip the stall. And without a coach to be sure you are properly prepped and polished for a trip at that level of competition where you need scores in the 80s in good company to pin? Difficult to relax and enjoy it…everybody claims they don’t care but spending 600 or more for the experience when that’s about your board budget isn’t that enjoyable.
Id stay local and maybe look into sneaking to the dark side or maybe Dressage. Got two Hunter friends who now do Dressage with the same horse…they love it, especially the ride times and in-out in a day or less. MUCH lower costs…and you get written feedback.
I have a full time job and get a very small amount of financial help from my family, only because they’re very generous. I could “make it work” without, but just being honest about the whole situation!
I live in a very expensive area, for both horses and life, and have a young horse that I can’t afford to take consistent lessons on. I also can’t afford to show him regularly, especially since I don’t have a trailer. When I say “can’t afford,” I mean “not in the budget”. I like to keep a healthy buffer and make sure I’m saving a certain amount of money a month.
Often my job requires long hours. I live in a high traffic area and it takes me 1-1.5 hours to get home, and another 40 minutes to get from home to the barn. I still try to ride at least 4 times a week, but if I can’t it’s no big deal because I don’t have anything important to be prepping for.
I had been riding him okay on my own for a few months, got stuck, lessoned, and am now back on my own for a few months until I feel like we need a little more help. We improve slowly and plateau often.
I think you have to be honest with yourself and your goals. If competing were very important to me, I would lease a horse instead. It’s a frustrating feeling to have the horse but not the means to do what you want with it. I sometimes feel down about that, but I’m so lucky to have a smart and kind little horse to enjoy and keep me sane.
I’ve been a full time working amateur for a lo-ong time. I recently left corporate america to focus on the horses, but up until the beginning of this year I was working 60+ hours a week and traveling cross country (and occasionally internationally) 3 weeks a month, running my farm with 5-7 horses, and raising my two kids (alongside my husband who gets far too little recognition, lol!).
For a busy professional, I agree with those who have suggested (another) lease or partial lease. All of the perks of riding without the downsides of ownership and without having to be the only person responsible for the horse. You mention having done that and really wanting to move on to your own horse (and not be riding 1000 horses), but I would say that just means that you need to find the right lease- and on that’s maybe more commitment than you’ve had in past leases.
Other people have pointed out that perhaps the most important consideration is what will happen with your horse (if you own one) when you can’t make it out. I have my own farm, so when I was traveling so frequently (typically 2-4 days a week), my horses were mostly just out in their fields. In the middle of the show season, I would often pay a dressage trainer friend to come hack them for me to keep conditioning up. But turnout may be less of an option where you are.
But I was never interested in leasing myself, so if that’s not an interest I can add that you can make whatever you want to work, work. My feeling is that it’s all about priorities and if it’s a high enough priority for you, you will find a way. And if it’s not, there’s no shame in that either!
In response to your questions - yes, I have always sought out lessons and/or clinics when I’m able (timewise and moneywise). But I’m perfectly comfortable schooling myself and prepping myself at shows and also getting ready for shows. I grew up in a training program as well, and the first few years on my own were…well…odd. But once I got used to it, it really wasn’t an issue.
I spent the next 10-ish years riding with a BNT clinician 5-6 times a year on as many of my horses as I could afford. That really helped me develop more confidence in my own program.
I probably rely on COTH more than I would if I were in a big program or riding with a trainer, but I’ve gotten a lot of help here…and from a lot more perspectives than a single person’s input.
Do I run into trouble? Sure. That seems to be a constant in horses in general :lol: But I’ve never found “trouble” to be anything more than a reminder to ask for help. Problem with a specific horse? Usually pretty easy to get an answer from a trainer or a friend or a vet or whoever else you can seek help from. And help? Yep, need it fairly regularly. But again, that’s not any different than if I had a horse in a big barn. It’s just that I had to develop my own contacts to reach out to. So I have a couple of close trainer friends, my vet, and again, COTH.
It really depends on your experience, access to a friend or groom and your independence. Even as an older junior my mom often hauled me to hunter/jumpers shows while my coach was off eventing. We’re a great team and have showed at A shows in Ontario and Alberta without a coach, even now that I’m almost 30 she’s my number one groom and shipper. I’ve never ever held a ring, and I know how to prep my horses better then any coach I’ve ridden with in the last 10 years. I also spent several years working a pro groom in Ontario and Ocala which definitely helped me get more organized at a show. I can clip and braid myself which saves money.
It boggles my mind that people who have been showing for 10+ years can’t go to a show on their own.
I too am a working amateur. At this point I can only afford 2-3 A shows/year. I lesson 2-4x per month, but usually show on my own. When I wasn’t lessoning on a somewhat regular basis I would pass on a show or two and clinic instead.
I’ve got an 8yo hunter that I show at 3’6". I bought him as a yearling, he had 60 days put on him as a 3yo (I was the first one on him), and has only had a handful of pro rides since. We finished second in our zone this year.
My mom has a 14yo hunter that I catch ride at the shows in the 3’ Adults. We finished first in our zone this year.
We’re currently on the hunt for a foal that we can bring up, show in the 3yo Cup classes at RAWF, and then sell.
So yes it can be done. You’re best bet would probably be to find a barn that does basic boarding and you can lesson once in awhile without being in an expensive training program.
Think OPs location in the Bay Area complicates the budget somewhat.
I do pretty much this an it usually costs me closer to $800, not including the hotel and food for me!
OP. I’ve had horses my whole life, but I grew up showing in AQHA, 4-H and reining shows. As an adult I now pretty much exclusively riding English. The horsemanship/horse keeping part is second nature to me, but I need guidance and coaching when riding over jumps. I show in the hunters at regional and rated shows and I fox hunt. I keep my 4 horses at home and take lessons as frequently as possible with a couple trainers that are near where I live. The trainer I show with is over 4 hours away so I only see her at shows, but her barn is VERY friendly to this set-up and I’m beyond grateful to her for that accommodation. I prefer to show with the guidance of a trainer even if I don’t get a ton of lessons between shows. I love this set-up and it works for me. I wish I had more time and $$ to get more lessons and show more frequently, but this is working well and makes me happy!
I think the most important aspect would be to not overhorse yourself. Get a horse that you know you can ride and school on your own, and that can already do the job you want. Find a coach that can give you lessons, either once a week or once a month, if that works OK.
You don’t know in advance if you will run into trouble or not. That will depend on the horse, and on your ability to train and school autonomously.
It will also depend on whether you really psychologically and emotionally need the boost of having a trainer hold your hand every step of the way.
For instance some people can’t even go to the gym to life weights without a personal trainer on hand every single session. Other people would prefer to work out on their own, with headphones, and not make eye contact with any other human being during the session. Or have their set of weights in their own basement.
Only you know what you need.
Full time working ammy here. I take lessons here and there when I can. My guys are at home now so that makes lessons less frequent. I have a dressage trainer that comes here and there, but for jumping lessons I haul out. Even when my mare was green I was doing all the work myself. I had weekly lessons when I was boarding but I didnt do the whole training ride thing.
I think it really depends on you and your riding experience and the horse you have. As mentioned before the key is to not over horse yourself. But I feel thats a good rule to follow in general.
Same thing here except my trainer is more local to me.
I take lessons usually March to October. Not quite once a week, probably closer to twice a month when I factor in not jumping my horse for two weeks after an event. I have brought my younger horse along mostly on my own though I do take him for lessons maybe once a month (more if I have a specific issue I am working through).
When my trainer is available to do course walks and warm ups, I use her at shows. If not I rely heavily on her other students. She judges a lot but tries to be there for XC walks and warm ups no matter what.
I think its doable, but more unconventional in the hunter jumper world. You really would need to find a trainer that would take you on not being in a full program. When I did the hunters, my trainer did not let you do self care at shows and it was $100/d regardless if you showed up and rode or cleaned your stall, fed your own horse etc. You may be more successful finding a half lease situation.
I should add that while there may not be a lot of ammies showing in A level hunter without being in a full time program, many folks in other disciplines show maybe with lessons, but without the horse being in a training program. Hunter jumper seems to have the most wrap-around support systems of the horse sports; dressage and eventing are much more do it yourself. Part of this is of course that people tend to want and need eyes on the ground to jump safely, but can school dressage alone. On the other hand, eventers seem to manage to get their jumping done in a more self-directed situation.
I would say, get a suitable horse, and keep it somewhere you have access to weekly lessons, whether the coach is on site or visiting. Don’t have high expectations of doing big multi day shows. You probably don’t have time in your work schedule to do those, really. Board at a mixed discipline barn, maybe with some eventers around.
Aim to see whether you can keep yourself and your horse in practise and enjoying life on your schedule and budget. if you run into time constraints, consider a half lease to someone at the barn. If you run into training roadblocks, schedule some lessons with a coach.
Most riders do not have their horses in full training situations, even if they have them in full board.
I keep my A/O horse at home, without staff, and meet my trainer at shows. And since I don’t always do the same shows my trainer does sometimes I swap trainers (gasp!). But it works. It isn’t ideal and maybe we’d have more success if he was in more of a program but we do well and I’m much happier with him at home. His care is meticulously controlled and he feels great. My goal is to keep working with my trainer at shows, continue my homework, but to ship him in for some professional rides in the future. We don’t get much of that at shows and I think it would help a lot.
