When you first think of your horse trainer, often, the hard things they make you do, like posting without stirrups and running with cups of water to get a smoother trot in showmanship, are some of the first memories that come to mind.
However, not all memories of horse trainers revolve around the blood, sweat, and tears part of this sport we all love. As clients attend their trainer’s boot camps and barns to practice throughout the year, this relationship usually becomes closer and closer over time, leading to everyone in the barn becoming more like one big family.
It is these types of family-like dynamics that can make the trainer/client relationship so special. And once the dust settles and the sweat dries, many trainers also pamper their clients, as well as their horses.
We asked exhibitors in the industry a fun question about how, when they are not getting yelled at from the middle of the arena, they are spoiled by their trainers. Read their answers below.
Shelly Boyle – An easy one that comes to mind this time of year would be Darla Lee’s “Congress Goody Bags.” Every year, we get a care package to get us through the show with all sorts of fun things – and even some practical things too. The last two years have included some items to help relieve stress as well, such as adult coloring books and bead jewelry making supplies. They kept the youth kids entertained as well as the amateurs. There are probably dozens of other examples that I could give from over the years, but really for me, the way they spoil me is by spoiling my very particular horse. Anyone that has ever spent time around him knows that he has some serious quirks, but Darla has embraced those quirks and decided that he’s earned the right to have some things just the way he wants them. I’m confident that he’s still going strong because Brian and Darla have found a way to keep him happy to do his job every day.
Scott Reinartz – What I like that my trainer, Bruce Vickery, does is he is very truthful. He doesn’t sugarcoat the performance. If it was terrible, he would tell me, “That was horrible,” or “That’s not the way we practiced it.” He will also tell me about the things he liked. That’s what I appreciate about him. He cares about the horses; they are not just pieces of machinery. That’s a huge plus.
Mackenzie Preston – This year was my last year of youth, and the other youth in the barn’s last year as well. My trainer, Mike Davis, got us each embroidered halters in our favorite colors for our horses with their name on it. That was pretty special. Also, when it came to world shows, Mike only had a few horses, maybe three including mine, come to the Youth World, so he would clean our stalls and treat our horses like royalty. I feel like my reining trainers, Sean and Jordan McBurney, spoil me most with pictures of my two mares while I’m away at college.
Janae Walker – The first thing that comes to mind is that she rides in my stirrups in my English saddle. I use children’s leathers because my legs are so short. And she makes sure the buttons work that far up my horse’s side.
Beckie Peskin – I think these days it’s about Robin and Jenny (Frid) being flexible with me balancing work, motherhood, and showing, especially when I have my daughter Ella with me at the shows. They try to be understanding about super early and super late practice times, etc. It’s hard to balance it all at times, and I’m so very appreciative of them being understanding.
Amy Groefsema – There are so many things I can think of that I appreciate from Jenn and Justin Wheeler. Morning coffees at the horse show, candid pictures of my ponies, but them opening their home to me stands out. I live a couple of hours from Jenn and Justin, and they know how busy my schedule is, so they allow me to come over to ride, spend the night, ride the next day and then head home. Justin spoils me with steak dinners and Jenn shares her wine. They go out of their way to allow me to do what I love and advance as a rider. We have a great time together.
Meredith Landy – At the world show, quite a few years back, my trainer, Karen Qualls drove my horse, Real Me In (Ben) in the Senior Pleasure Driving, and he was not good at all. The next day, I was to show him in the Amateur Hunter Under Saddle and the Pleasure Driving. Karen stayed up all night and rode Ben off and on to keep him tired so that I would have a good ride with him. And we did! We were World Champions in the hunter under saddle and Top 5 in the driving. I owe her a significant debt of gratitude for being so dedicated and working so hard so we could be successful. I felt pretty spoiled because she insisted I go home and get some sleep that night while she stayed up and rode.
Sarah Finkel – My trainers, David and Cheryl Busick do so much for me, so it’s hard to pick one thing. Something they do that qualifies as spoiling me is that they longe my horse for me at shows. When I get to sleep an extra 30 minutes, I feel fortunate.
Matthew Siefker – Every time I have shown with Lynne Puthoff, I have never once tied my tie. She has done it every time, and we say it’s a good luck thing.
Julie Hoefling – Andrea and Ryan Kail are not only my trainers but have become like family to me. They spoil my horse which is essentially like spoiling me. Tuggers gets plenty of love and treats which I appreciate. I work full-time and don’t make it out to the barn as often as I’d like, so knowing he’s taken care is so comforting. Many times, I get to a horse show last minute or late, so before I arrive, Andrea always sends me a Tuggers text. It usually has a photo of something goofy he did or just his cute face to let me know that he is safe and happy. I think the best way my trainers spoil me is that they love and care for my horse like he is their own.
Emma Garcia – It’s hard for me to be at shows for a long time because of college, so Lynda Danielson always makes sure my horses are prepared for me when I get there. When we’re at the world show or Congress, she’ll do all the prep work so that I’m ready mentally for my classes. Bill Rose, my horseshoer, spoils me all the time by driving down to shows to put a shoe back on or to help out when we’re getting overwhelmed. If I’m showing the halter, he’ll always help me warm up my horses. Another thing I love about Lynda is she always tells me what I did well in a class first, and then we discuss what we need to work on. She always makes sure to emphasize the good, so we don’t get discouraged.
Ashley Hadlock – Mandi Gately spoils everyone in the barn when it comes to entries and back numbers. When going to the first show with a client, Mandi finds out what their ‘lucky’ back number is. Then, she will be sure to laminate several different copies of the number and place in her file of back numbers. Mandi also always does all the entries no matter what. It’s always nice arriving at the show knowing I am entered with my back number ready to go.
Jentry Shandley – There is so many great things about Kelly; I don’t know where to start. He is very positive, and I appreciate how he takes the time to make my horse and me a team and not just partners. Kelly really goes the extra mile as far as making sure we are prepared and spending time helping us at both shows and home.
Kathryn Mitchell – I have a tight schedule – Kelli Hinely always has them prepped – saddled – and ready to show, to me that’s spoiled.
Lily Richardson – My trainer, Paige Stroud, doesn’t spoil me when it comes to riding, but she teaches me life lessons, and finds ways to make everything fun. In Oklahoma, she showed us fun cards games. In Vegas, we rode the New York New York Roller Coaster, and in Oregon, we went to a family fun center. My trainer had taught me so much other than how to ride in the past ten years. Paige wants us to have a good work ethic, but she cares about us and looks out for our well being and teaches life lessons.
How does your trainer spoil you? Let us know.
