Some post nationals questions

[mydaddysjag]

So, now that everyone has arrived home from nationals, I thought I would ask a few questions.

Those of you who sent your horse with a trainer, roughly how much did you spend to send a halter horse, driving horse, or all around horse?

Those of you who went yourself, roughly how much did you spend to do it yourself for a halter horse, driving horse, or all around horse?

I like showing my own horses, but I don't know that I could do it at nationals. Too many nerves, ya know. Do trainers let you show your own horse for part of the season, then take them shortly before nationals to prep them, and then show them at nationals for you? I only have one show horse, so sending him out for the entire season gives me nothing to show.

Just trying to see what nationals cost roughly this year, with this economy.

 

[kayla221444]

some trainers will do that, you have to search around and ask.

 

[kaykay]

Do trainers let you show your own horse for part of the season, then take them shortly before nationals to prep them, and then show them at nationals for you? I only have one show horse, so sending him out for the entire season gives me nothing to show. sad.gifJust trying to see what nationals cost roughly this year, with this economy.

Most trainers will want them at least 60 days before Nationals. Their way of fitting and conditioning is usually much more then what an average person does themselves and its their reputation on the line when they take that horse in the ring

You could show ammy and let the trainer show open. I did that with Laura Tennil one year.

Also you can try to get a trainer to only show your horse in open at Nationals (catch handler) but its a bit hard to find one and they will want pictures to be sure the horse is conditioned.

I know the year we went our biggest cost was hauling the horse to OK. Its a long way from Ohio.

 

[Taylor Jo]

Your so busy with your horse I don't think you have time for nerves. You might before you go out there, but once your out there, your out there so long that I think it's just like any other show ring. At least that's my point of view. This is my 2nd year there and of course you feel more settled and know where everything is and know what to expect so from that aspect it is different then the first year. Face it your going to spend money there's no way around it. There's way's of getting around it, but there's some things you can't like entry fees, stall fees, and getting there. However, if you bring a mini fridge and a microwave and buy groceries you can get off cheaper. IF you DON'T shop you can get off less expensive and DON'T BUY PHOTO'S. BUT, I SHOPPED and bought photos. 1 8x10 is $45.00 Make sure you bring your own hay and shavings and that will save you money too. Also, like they said trainers will let you show Amtur. and they show open. Good luck, TJ

 

[JWC sr.]

Cutting thru all the breakdown it cost about 800.00 - 1,000.00 per horse to send a horse to nationals with a good trainer for us. What with the hauling, make ready, entry fees, stalls, farrier etc etc.

As far as a trainer is concerned taking the horse only to show at Nationals, it is really hard to get any of the better known trainers to do that, they want the horse at least 3- 5 months in our experience to get them in the condition they want them in at a minimum. Additionally the horse has to have a real chance to win in their opinion. They will not is most cases just take a horse to have the horse in training. They do not have to as there are numerous people wanting to fill the spots in each class each year for most of the better trainers and their reputation is on the line. Additionally by that late in the season they have already made commitments to other horses in most of the classes.

We have used trainers on and off for the last 12 - 13 years and have been pleased with the results we have gotten from them. This last year we used Belinda Bagby of B& B training with three of our horses and ended the year with one national champion, one reserve national champion at AMHR and 1 Congress Grand Champion Mare using her. Needless to say it was a good year.

On the other side we also showed and conditioned a few horses this year for the San Antonio and Region 5 shows. Where we did exceptionally well also, winning several supreme champions, regional champions etc. You can do it yourself as long as you have the horse flesh and are willing to commit to a 5 day a week regimen to get them ready. Along with all the feed, supplements and conditioning requirements in order to be competitive. Thereby cutting down the costs considerably.

Normally the horses the grandkids are showing we keep here and condition them ourselves so as to give the kids the full experience of grooming, conditioning and showing their horses. If a horse is an open class only horse we feel that has National Level chances to win many times we will use a trainer for those horses, so as take advantage of the trainers reputation and expertise. Hope that makes sense to you, I am terrible at explaining things in written form. LOL

A lot of work, but a lot of fun also.

Good Luck,

 

[mydaddysjag]

Im going to see If I can find a decent trainer within a few hours of home that might be able to work something out with me. Hopefully I could find someone to keep him in training with, then I could meet them at shows and show him in ammy. I know there are a few trainers within a few hours of me, just not sure whos taking clients at the moment etc.