People that have shown on a lesson horse????

Question

My trainer asked me a while ago if I wanted to show and I agreed. I will be riding a lesson horse. Just recently she told me when(mid August) and where(County Exposition Center) the show would be... I haven't really talked about it because its still not a sure thing(gotta ask off work as for a few other things). I have a few questions. Would I care for the horse while hes there? How much is an entry fee on average for an open show? Would I pay my trainer/how much per day?

Some other information would be helpful from your own personal experience too!

Answer 1

Yes, you care for "your" horse. Ask your trainer up front about her fees, entry fees for the show, hauling fees, etc.

I've shown shcool horses with my local Girl Scout Council, where I helped haul the horses, & we all pitched in with horse care, and our instructors (I was one) were all volunteers.

I've also shown school horses for a private show barn where all I had to do was show up, mount up, & ride in my classes. I paid for hauling, extra training fees (equivalent to an extra lesson, added to my  regular bill), and $15 - $20 per day per stable hand to the guys from the barn who cared for our horses.

Answer 2

Congrats on getting to show!  Here are some tips to make your show go smoothly:

First, if you have a friend who shows often, tag along at one of her shows and offer to be her groom for the day.  Shows are stressful, as one has to take care of oneself as well as the horse.  You can groom, tack up, cool out, give the horse the last-minute once over, etc. for your friend.  The experience will be invaluable, and you'll be helping your friend a lot.  Then, when it's your turn to show, your experienced show friend can help you!  Don't go to a show without another horse buddy, especially if your trainer has other clients or is showing herself.  For your first show, you'll have enough trouble getting yourself ready, like getting dressed, learning your courses/patterns, etc.  You'll be able to get yourself together to, say, feed the horse and muck its stall between classes, but you'll have a hard time making sure everything is in place before you enter the ring, hence why an experienced friend is valuable.

You're expected to take care of your horse.  The day before, go to the showgrounds with your trainer or friend, find your stall, and put shavings in the stall.  If you haul your horse over the night before, make sure he has plenty of water and a perfectly clean stall before you leave.  If your horse rolls in manure, you'll have a hard time cleaning him the next morning.  The sleazy horse covers are your best friend- they're not too hot for your horse, and they'll keep him clean.  Braid or band his mane the night before.

The next morning, arrive wearing your breeches or jeans/pants under pajama pants, and your show shirt under a sweatshirt, along with some old paddock boots.  Muck your horse's stall, then feed him and check his water.  Take off any blankets or covers he has on, fix his braids or bands if you need to, and start grooming him.  A lot of soft brushing is better than a bath, if your horse isn't stained.  If he is, give him a quick sponge bath.  Braid his tail.  Then, your trainer will tell you when to tack up and warm up for your classes.

Open show class fees are usually about $5 to $10, but medal classes and payback classes can be more.  Then, you have office fees, stall fees, shaving fees, etc.  When I showed someone else's horse in about ten classes a day, it was about $300 for everything, including horse usage fees and training fees.  Your trainer might charge a flat fee, a certain number per day, or a certain amount per class.  Mine were the same as the class entry fee, but my trainer handled thirty or so kids at a show, so if your trainer takes only a few clients to a show, expect to pay more.  

The biggest thing about your first show is to stay relaxed.  You most likely will leave something at home, or do something stupid like try to enter the ring without your number.  Laugh it off.  It will make your experience much more pleasant.  Lesson horses often go to a lot of shows, and while they're not usually top-class or likely to win you championship ribbons, you can usually expect your trainer to put you on a steady, bombproof horse for your first show.  Lesson horses are great to show on because they force you to really show yourself and your horse at your best to place.  Good luck!

Answer 3

umm.. yes. You would def have to care for the horse, because who else is going to ride and make it sweaty? i'm not so sure about the entry fee or how much you would have to pay your trainer, but i've learned some stuff friend who owns 5 horses

Answer 4

All barns charge and work differently so, I would find out from your trainer what the fees are but here is an example based on what my trainer charges for people using a lesson horse to ride on. This is based on a show that requires an overnight stay..anywhere from a 3-5 day show

1. Trailering costs(depends on distance often     split with other horses that are going)

2. Charge for using the horse

3. Daily trainer fees and other fees (food, hotel)

4. Costs of bedding, feed, (your portion)

5. Tip for grooms/caretakers

6. your own food, lodging, class fee,costs of proper riding apparel

7. Video and pictures (optional)

You really need to sit down and discuss with your trainer...you normally would not have to "care" for the horse..we have grooms and caretakers that do that.  But we all help out each other.. we have a great team of people and we are all hands-on....Also, if others are going to the show..many of the expenses are split amongst everyone.  Maybe someone else would be riding the horse also so maybe the expense of the transpoirtation would be split between you and the other person.  There are so many variables.  The least expensive thing is the cost of the class..unless it is some high paying stake or futurity class.  That is why it is a difficult question to give you a specific answer.  

Hope this helps you out and gives you some idea of what the expenses can be..as to the exact price, check with your trainer before you go..you don't want any surprises!!

Good Luck!!

Answer 5

You need to ask your trainer....

You will probably be doing your own grooming/tacking/stall cleaning. You probably will not be feeding. However, your trainer may have a groom to do all these things. In which case you would pay a "day fee" plus a gratuity to the groom. You will pay for the stall, the shavings, and your share of the tack stall, if there is one. There may be a fee for using the school horse. You will probably also pay for trailering, $2-3 per loaded mile is average right now.

Trainer expenses vary greatly. Unless you are riding with a BNT, it should be $25-50 per day.

Ask your trainer for a summary of expenses so you can plan ahead - you don't want to get a huge bill you weren't expecting after the show!

Answer 6

You're trainer can answer these questions best as everyone has their own standards and requirements for shows.  Caring for the horse on the trip is a great way to gain experience in preparing for other shows and general horse care.  Even if you're not required to, helping out can hold valuable lessons.  Open show fees are generally low, 5-10$ per round.

Showing on a lesson horse is a great way to start out on the circuit, whether you're planning to continue competing or just doing it for fun.  They are calm experienced animals who have most likely been shown many times and do not need as much leading as green horses do.

Good luck!

Answer 7

You need to check with your trainer to see how much you will have to pay him to haul your horse to the show.  Second when you get to the show, you should be of help if needed to saddle, bridle etc if the trainer does not do this.  Again ck with the trainer.  We pay between 5 to 10 dollars a class out here but depending where you live, that could vary.  Check with the show secretary or ask your trainer.