What’s the Secret to Long-Term Client/Trainer Relationships
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by Meghan Murphy
It’s refreshing to see how a single shared passion for the horse can shape the lives of so many individuals. Several highly successful competitors and trainers in the industry have developed long-term business relationships into family-like relationships that all started with a horse. The Equine Chronicle examined some of the industry’s strongest and longest-standing partnerships to find out their secrets for success.
Trainer Gil Galyean and client Jenna Dempze – 7 years
Jenna Dempze of Rudolph, Wisconsin, and Gil Galyean of Purcell, Oklahoma, are two names in the pleasure horse industry with whom many people are familiar. Their client/trainer partnership, which began in 2007, has grown into a relationship that resembles that of an extended family. The partnership began when the Dempze family had a couple of horses that needed to be trained. They were familiar with Gil and Becky Galyean from showing at different futurities. They admired their success and decided to contact them.
Dempze explains how important it was for her to match her needs with the best horse trainer for the job. “I think it’s important to choose a program that mirrors your goals and values,” she says. “You need a trainer and a program that puts you in the path of where you want your future to go.”
In addition to clear goals, trust and honesty are cornerstones for a long-term relationship. Dempze says, “If there is something you like or don’t like, you need to be able to communicate that, so you can continue on or make a change for the better. I think a big mistake happens when people let things ball up inside. They don’t like something, and it eventually turns into a negative confrontation. Also, I think people may be a little afraid to speak up when they don’t like or don’t understand something. It’s important to voice your opinions and feelings so both sides can understand each other and find a solution.”
Communication is also the key to overcoming difficult situations. Dempze admits, “It’s always hard to take defeat. After a good ride, when you don’t feel like you could change a thing, it isn’t always easy to come up with an explanation as to why you weren’t the winner that particular day.” She credits the Galyean team for their mental encouragement in a very subjective sport. “Gil and Becky are always good at reminding me that I have done my best, and I should be proud of my horse and the way I showed. At the end of the day, I can walk away proud of my horse and know that I get to try again.”
Oftentimes, trainers like Gil have many clients and multiple horses in training, which subsequently adds to the family-like atmosphere. “I’ve been there a long time and they know me pretty well,” Dempze says. “My family enjoys showing horses with them, but we also do non-horse show things as a group. It’s nice to step away from business every once in a while. We have made some lifelong friends with other clients.”
Ultimately, it’s the bond and great memories in and out of the show pen that keeps this client/trainer partnership consistently in the winner’s circle. Dempze says, “Gil and Becky have done a great job of pairing me with some very talented horses. Reflecting back on those great horses and how they brought me to where I am today plays a large part in why I think we have a long-term relationship. It is the sum of a lot of little things that makes the whole experience great.”
Trainer Steve Cruse and client Marilynn Feuerstein – 11 years
Appaloosa breeder Marilynn Feuerstein of Creston, California, teamed up with Steve Cruse of Pilot Point, Texas over a decade ago. Feuerstein, who has known Cruse since he was about five years old, decided to send her horses to him in 2003 after hearing excellent recommendations from others in the industry. She says, “word of mouth means a lot when people say how honest a trainer is and how hard a trainer works.”
Over the past decade, the team has produced countless World and National Champions and continues to do so. According to Feuerstein, their highly successful long-term client/trainer relationship is built on good character. She emphasizes the importance of honesty. “Without being honest, you will go nowhere fast. You will not last! I can’t stress honesty enough and working together through the good times and the tough. We all have [times of] great elation and we all know, too well, those tough times, but we support each other and share them between us. Steve cares and he is honest. That is the bottom line for us!”
Respect is also critical to their success. “We respect each other and the programs we each represent,” she says. “We care about what each other is doing. We chat about what works and about better ideas or just plain brainstorming that might include regimes, feed, medications, or breeding.” Feuerstein and Cruse are continually working as a team. She says it’s important to acknowledge that it takes a team effort to get to the top. “Steve does well with good horses, and there are many people intrinsic to making it all happen and keeping it there. It’s every breeder’s dream and trainer’s pride to accomplish [our goals], and we get to share it together because we’re both so involved.” She explains how the pair discuss plans, talk about how to make them happen, and imagine what they want to see down the road. They’re continually feeding off of one another’s thoughts and ideas. “We are sounding boards for each other; we’re never condemning and always supporting.”
Trainer Becky George and clients Sally and Maggie Griffin – 12 years
Mother-daughter duo Sally and Maggie Griffin of Tomball, Texas have trained with Becky George of Hockley, Texas for over 12 years. The team was created when their former trainer, Scott Suggs, arranged for Becky to train for them on a trial basis when he accepted another offer at a different location. Sally describes the transition as having gone “very smoothly” since they’d all known each other very well.
The Griffin family has earned multiple World Championship titles over the past decade while under the guidance of George. Sally and Maggie agree that much of the success behind this long-term client/trainer partnership is due to communication, honesty, and trust. “Communication and honesty are the only ways that a strong relation can survive,” Sally says. Maggie says to trust the process. “I completely trust that when Becky says, ‘this is the horse” or “this horse is ready for you now,” that I can put my hand down and do what I love – show!”
Naturally, after over a decade of training together on a daily basis, it was inevitable for their business relationship to become more like family. Sally says, “As a car dealer’s daughter, I was told never to mix business with friends. This is the only exception I have made to this very personal rule, and it has truly stood the test of time. I believe this is true for me because we were friends before we ever went into business together.” Maggie also feels that George and the whole barn clan are like a family of her own. “Becky, Brent, and her mom, Patt, are completely family,” she says. “They have never missed a graduation, sweet sixteen, nothing. I count on them as if they were my immediate family, and they know I would do anything for them.” This closeness came to the forefront when George supported the Griffin family during a time of despair after Maggie’s father passed away. “The most difficult situation of my life occurred when Becky was away at the Pinto World Show and my dad died. She’s the sister I never had, and she wasn’t there when my world fell apart. I knew she couldn’t leave the horses stranded in Tulsa, but I still needed help. Despite the small fortune it probably cost, Becky flew her mom home immediately and sent Brent to the house. They were waiting on me by the time I got there from Austin. I’ll never be able to repay her for that.” Maggie adds that one of the greatest things about her bond with George is, “she always knows what I need without asking.”
Trainer Mark Stevens and client Patty Sweisberger – 28 years
Amateur exhibitor Patty Sweisberger of Miami Shores, Florida has been under the guidance of Mark Stevens of Southwest Ranches, Florida for 28 years. This powerhouse team was created when Sweisberger had a 2-year-old named “Peachy Pie” that needed to be broke. Her husband had never ridden, and she had recently undergone a tubular pregnancy and was unable to ride. Sweisberger received a recommendation for Mark from her dear friend, Kim Doyle.
Originally, the plan was for “Peachy Pie” to go to Mark to become broke to trail ride. However, while breaking her out, they started to see the star they had and began taking her to shows. “After riding her for 30 days, Mark told us she isn’t going home. She’s going to the World Show!” During the mare’s three-year-old year she won three PHBA World titles and earned over 150 AQHA Western Pleasure points. She earned AQHA superiors in Open and Amateur Western Pleasure. Ultimately, Sweisberger says, “the horse that went to be broke to trail ride started our relationship with Mark and introduced us to AQHA showing.”
“Peachy Pie” was the beginning of not only a long-term client/trainer partnership, but also a friendship. “I cherish Mark as my friend and trainer,” Sweisberger says. “I know he looks out for my horse’s best interest as well as mine. I couldn’t even imagine having another trainer.”
She highlights some key elements that have been critical to the success of their partnership. Having a good line of communication is essential. Sweisberger says it’s important to have an open mind, listen to your trainer, and be patient. “Listening is the key to learning! Don’t assume you both know you’re on the same page. Your trainer has your best interests at hand.”
Trainer Heather Runyon and client Dr. Ted Zajac – 4 years
Trainer Heather Runyon owns and operates Heather Runyon Show Horses in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Runyon has specialized in open and non-pro hunter under saddle, western pleasure, and all around events since 1996. Her long-term trainer/client partnership with Dr. Ted Zajac of Coopersburg, Pennsylvania initially began when they met several years ago at the Garden State Appaloosa Shows. Then, about four years ago, Zajac approached Runyon and asked if she would train his yearling colt. The colt went on to win several titles at the World Championship that year.
Runyon considers one of her greatest moments with Zajac to be in 2013 when he won the Junior Western Riding at the World Championships. She explains that there are many keys to the success in her long-term client/trainer partnership. She emphasizes the importance of showing appreciation not only for Zajac, but also for each of her clients and she strives to balance her time and talent among them equally. She says, “split your time as equally as possible between all of your clients and try not to show favoritism. Always be honest with your comments and suggestions even though it sometimes is not what the client may want to hear.”
According to Runyon, it is critical for trainers to have a strong business plan. She explains how the partnership with clients is delicately treated as a business, but it’s also like a family. “Showing is very expensive,” she says. “Every client wants to get the most for their expenditures. In that respect, it must be treated as a business. Our business plan consists of establishing goals that each client wishes to achieve and the time allotted in order to achieve these goals. However, I think it is much easier for everyone to achieve his or her goals if we make time for a little ‘family fun’ along the way. When your clients are also good friends and support each other, it makes for a much more enjoyable and productive experience at the barn and at the shows.”
