I think a lot of kids have that blue ribbon fantasy thing going. They dream of everyone seeing them ride to victory, showing up the mean girls, proving their mettle to friends and parents, proving their scruffy pony's worth to the people who laughed at him, etc. Too many movies, maybe, but it's there in the backs of their minds, and they'd be more likely to choose a trainer who might give them a chance at that. People will also pay more for a trainer that may help them compete in a higher level, and kids who learn the basics and want to show will leave your barn to seek out someone who will take them to the next level and guide them through that world. Your goals are noble, but I think you'd be severely limiting your customer base if you didn't show. I know you're not horribly interested in showing (I never was either, back when I rode), but from a business standpoint you'd probably be better off doing it anyway. No need to push kids into showing if they don't want to, of course, but it'd make good business sense to have that option available for the kids who want it.

Another option might be to take on a partner or an employee who DOES have that show experience, though that would probably require a good amount of investment capital, which (correct me if I'm wrong) I get the impression you aren't starting with.

Aaaanyway... I also agree with lopenlead; dreams are all good, but don't put your eggs in one basket. I didn't go to college. I had my dreams, I thought I didn't need college, and guess what? They fell through, and now I'm barely scraping by and trying to raise a son on retail pay. Skipping college is probably my greatest regret in life.


roro wrote:

LET IT GO, LET IT GOOOO, be one with the wind and sky or whatever the fuck