With show season upon us, you may be feeling pressured to find your next show horse for this year. And while buying your show horse is a popular option, leasing your next show horse can also be an excellent approach. Leasing a show horse allows you to partner with a talented and competitive horse without taking on the financial responsibilities of buying a show horse. The following tips can help ensure that your show horse lease is a success.

Be Realistic About the Price of a Show Lease

Leasing a show horse is significantly more expensive than your standard horse lease would be. Remember that when you are leasing a show horse, especially an upper-level show horse, you are paying for the training, talent, and experience that this horse has. The advantage of leasing a show horse is that you don’t have to spend the time and money required to bring a horse up into the upper levels of competition, and you will have the horse right at home in your barn. However, that advantage is reflected in the horse’s lease price.

Understand What You Need and Want in a Show Horse

Before you set about looking at show horses available for lease, consider just what you need your leased horse to be able to do. Are you looking for a horse that you can lease for the show season who can bring you up in a competition level? Do you have a particular goal in mind? Maybe you’re looking for a horse who you can lease for a few years to take you through a show level or two. Your goals will factor into the type of horse that is an appropriate lease.

Evaluate the Horse’s Prior Show Records

When leasing a horse for the purpose of showing, that horse’s show experience becomes significantly important. Request and review the horse’s prior show records throughout the last few years. You will also want to pay attention to the age and experience of the rider who was showing the horse. Doing this can give you an idea of the horse’s consistency, talent and track record.

Watch the Horse Compete

If possible, go watch the horse compete at a show. Seeing the horse’s temperament and performance in the heat of competition can give you a sense of the partner you will be working with if you lease the horse. It is important that your style and the horse’s style match, so in addition to a test ride, the horse’s performance in the show ring is an important part of your evaluation.

Take Lessons with the Horse’s Current Rider

It’s a great idea to see if you can take some lessons with the horse’s current rider present. The current rider should have a strong understanding of the horse’s quirks and of how to get the best performance out of the horse. When you’re working under limited time before the show season, having the current rider help you begin to work with the horse can make the transition smoother.

Leasing a show horse can be a great option for the serious competitor. Have you ever leased a show horse?

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Original source: What You Need To Know About Leasing a Show Horse