[KZWestern]

Many of you know of the recent upheaval I've had to deal with at my current barn. I worked there and had alot of difficulties with my trainer/boss. I told her that I was going to be quitting after July (yay!) but would continue to take lessons. She seemed reasonably ok with that and has been treating me fairly well. However, one of my barn friends said that she was really bad mouthing me behind my back... Wont go into detail on what she actually said, but it was rather hurtful to hear. I'm not really surprised though. Anyways, many of you know that one of my biggest issues was that my trainer hardly does any showing anymore and would get upset with me whenever I'd go because I wasn't there to work. My trainer IS an excellent trainer and an awesome instructor. I have learned TONS from her. But I was starting to wonder if I should just find a different trainer who could perhaps meet my showing needs...

Steps in an aquaintence that I know from non-horsey activities. Whenever we see eachother we'd always chat horses. She shows dressage as well. She was at the show I was at this weekend, and so I saw her ride as well as met her trainer. I'm starting to think that maybe I should go to her trainer instead. SO... Here are the profiles of each trainer and the pros and cons. I want your votes! What should I do??

My current trainer stats:

Has been training for 45 years, has competed through I2, is a USDF silver medalist. Takes lessons from a local dressage trainer who has also ridden through I2. Extensive knowledge of other sports and extensive knowledge in starting/young horses. She does not currently have an upper level dressage horse. Oh, and all the garbage I've had to deal with lately.

She's a mile away from my house. Lessons are $40. When I'm no longer working there I would keep Grady at home and trailor over for lessons. since my dad would buy hay, I would be saving $175 (Grady's normal board would have been $270 w/out the discount.) on board per month. During the winter I would probably bring him over a couple extra times per week for the indoor arena. That would be $10 per ride. Oh, and all the garbage I've had to deal with lately.

My friend's trainer:

YOUNG. Only 24 years old. Is a USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist. Has trained in Germany with Klaus Balkenhol, still regularly takes lessons from him when he is in the US. She currently has one Grand Prix mount and several that she is showing between Prix St. George and I2. She also has FEI level lesson horses. If I were to take lessons from her I would take lessons on both these upper level horses and Grady. (Probably two or three lessons a week? If I can figure out how to afford it!!) Her lessons are $45. Her barn is 45 minutes from my house, right next to the barn I take jumping lessons at. She shows at every show available in our region each year, so almost every weekend from May through Sept. She usually brings 8 to 10 students with her. IF I were to take lessons with her I would either trailor with Grady once a week or board him down there, probably at the jumping barn since it's $250 cheaper then the dressage barn. Grady's board would be $225. I would be *OK* with the idea of trailoring down for lessons, but if I am not a student with my current trainer I am not able to use her indoor during the winter. There are other indoor arenas in the area, but as of right now it's a toss up of whether or not I'd board or trailor. That's to be decided later, but something to consider. It's alot more gas $$$ too though, but if I go down for my two jumping lessons per week and a couple dressage lessons, I'd be going down 5 days a week... And that's about how much I like to ride Grady. But as of right now it is about $9 for a round trip and it's only going to get worse. (my car gets 32 to 36 mpg)

Basically, she's alot farther, but her lessons are only $5 more. The big expense would be if I boarded Grady down there. That would be what I'd LIKE to do, but it would get pretty spendy that way, especially if I'd take more than one lesson with the trainer per week. But it would be a heck of alot closer to the trainer... And she would come to the jumping barn to give me lessons. (She actually trains some horses there, which I didn't know until yesterday) It would also be nice to be at the jumping barn because they have a big indoor arena and there are tons of great people there, so it would be a way fun environment to have him in. But like I said, boarding may or may not happen. (I'm kind of rambling here!)

I've always wanted to find a trainer with upper level horses I could ride. I'd never even HEARD of this trainer before being as she's so new to the area. She doesn't seem too impressed with herself and has a reserved personality. My plan is to look further into it and maybe take a few test lessons in Aug.

So for those of you who made it through this post, THANKS and please vote!! What should I do???

[Buckshot]

Wow. A big decision you have to make!

First of all, even though the second instructor is only $5 more per lesson, gas will be more expensive. A lot more expensive. It is definitely something to take into consideration--do you have the finances to take from her?

Secondly, from the picture you have painted, the second instructor sounds a whole lot better. From what you've typed, it looks like you really are not comfortable with the first instructor, and feel the need to make the switch. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. However, you've known the other woman longer, and the other trainer may not be all that she's toted to be!

Is there a way to take some trial lessons with her before committing yourself? How do you know your current instructor is saying nasty things behind your back? Maybe that's just talk???

Anyhow, if things are as you have portrayed them, I would make the switch, so that is how I'm voting. Hopefully you'll make the right decision!

[aBreeze]

The new trainer sounds like she is most definitely worth a "test ride." I would sign up for a few lessons and see how it goes. If she's not a good match for your and/or Grady then leave it at that. However if she is... so long you old witch.

[KZWestern]

I would be able to take some trial lessons. I know my trainer is talking about me because a good friend of hers is also good friends with me (even though she's 35 years older than me) and we often commiserate with eachother on my trainer's abrasive personality.

[aBreeze]

The way I see it is this, your paying good money for the relationship with the trainer. You do not need them, however they need you(or at least your good will). If that relationship is not beneficial and/or enjoyable for you then there is no reason to continue to pay to stay in it.

When that trainer starts to talk bad about you, their client... well, you and your relationship are not being respected. In that case, the quality of that relationship is not ideal so I dont think its much of a jump at all to assume that the actual business side is also being disrespected. Your not getting your moneys worth.

[speedyscout]

I say out with the old, in with the new. AS long as you will be able to afford the gas money.
Right now im in the same situation as you....

[PeggySue]

OK let's figure out how much it is really gonna cost youto keep grady at home

How much is his feed and how many bags a month will you need??

How much is a bale of hay and how much do they weigh??

then figure out how many times a week you willbe hauling to lessons and how far you are gonna have to haul??

THe second trainer sounds better IMO ... but that is on here I have not met either of them.. the older trainers tend to be more hard nosed and abasive then the younger ones IME

[HoofPrints11]

I didn't read the whole way through. But I did see you capitilize young. I have a young trainer, started with her when she was in her mid-twenties. Just becuase they are young doesn't mean they can't be awesome trainers. You do have to have some paitence though, they are still trying to figure out the best way to teach. I dont think and adult will have as many problems as I have however.

Good luck =]

[KZWestern]

Thanks for everyones commments so far. As far as costs go, if I were to keep Grady at home... Hay is $4.50 a bale for 50 to 60 lb bales. Grady really doesn't eat grain being as he's such an easy keeper. Another thought is that my dad pays for hay and vet bills. I'm not sure if he'd chip in on board if I were to board him. If I were to haul it's a 60 mile round trip, we get about 15 mpg, so if gas is $4 it would be about $16 per trip right now. I would probably only haul him once a week (I would hope to take lessons on lesson horses as well) so say $16 to haul, plus roughly $8 per trip in my car. Let's say I make two trips with my car per week. That's roughly $16 for those two trips. Each lesson is $45, so to do what I'd LIKE to do, let's say three lessons a week. (That's what i'd LIKE, not what will necessarily happen!) That's $240 a month. It WOULD be cheaper to haul, my concern is not having an indoor arena to ride in the rest of the time. If I were to find an arena around here I'd still have to haul... And I don't know if people around here would charge for me to use it. So let's say I haul two more times a week with a 10 mile round trip. Let's just say I use a gallon each time, that's $8 per week. Then let's say I get charged $5 per ride at an indoor arena. That would be $40 per month. So if I were to keep Grady here and haul, I would spend roughly $320 a month.

If I were to board Grady at the jumping barn I would make all my trips with my car. So let's say 3 trips a week. (I'm not counting 2 trips because I already make those to get to the jumping barn anyways.) That's $24 a week, so $96 a month. Then there would be the lessons, $240 a month. Then there would be the $225 for board, and I'll assume I'd pay for that. That equals $341 a month, so a $21 difference. So what I have to decide is if that $21 is worth the convenience of not having to haul several times a week, as well as having Grady at a large barn with lots to do and lots of people around. I'm kind of thinking it might be worth it...

[County]

I'd ask the old trainer if what your freind said is true about her talking behind your back. If it is I'd tell her kiss off and good bye. If its not I'd ask why she doesn't care for you showing and explain to her its iportant to you. If she still doesn't like you showing I'd quit her and go with the new trainer.