The Show Lease Program: The Debate Continues
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There are always two sides to every argument — especially in the realm of horse shows
By: Doreen Shumpert
Some time ago, the American Quarter Horse Association instituted the show lease program, whereby amateur and youth exhibitors are permitted to lease a horse to show for a minimum of one year and a maximum of three years. Recently, the American Paint Horse Association has followed suit and instituted a similar opportunity.
But, is it working in the manner in which it was originally intended? How do horse owners and exhibitors feel about the idea?
The Goal
Prior to these show lease opportunities, competitors could only show a horse owned by their immediate family. Therefore, the overall goal of a show lease is to allow a youth or amateur the opportunity to compete, without having to make that initial financial commitment of buying their first show horse. It sounds good, in theory.
While many are happy with the program, others are finding flaws. Some feel there are too many undefined possibilities and loopholes, and perhaps some of those are beginning to surface.
Opposite Ends of the Arena
Some believe the show lease program allows newcomers an opportunity to try their hand at showing, without the initial investment of purchasing a horse. However, some feel it has a high potential for abuse. For example, what if a newcomer leases a prior multiple World Champion and immediately edges out long-time competitors and owners? Might this actually hinder horse sales and create added frustration?
Doris Collier, the owner of Pinetree Quarter Horses in Florida, has extensive experience in leasing horses to non-pro and amateurs with “great success.”
Q: Do you find the new leasing programs valuable, or do you find them challenging and problematic?
A: “I don’t see any problems at all with the program. I think it has been a great way to get more entries at the shows and more participation at the shows.”
Q: Some feel it gives an unfair advantage to new competitors (such as an exhibitor hopping on a prior World Champion and winning immediately). What are your thoughts?
A: “This is a misconception, in my opinion. Anyone who feels that way would probably give his or her eye teeth to be able to ride a World Champion and win. I think what’s being forgotten here is that a great horse is only as great as the rider. The exhibitor has to have some kind of talent to be successful. To truly fit as a horse and rider team takes a while. For example, we bought a Reichert Western Pleasure champion one year, and he had so many buttons that we had to figure [him] out, which took a while. We actually didn’t start clicking with him until the following summer.”
Q: In contrast, do you see the program as a helpful alternative to horse ownership?
A: “Since I feel that AQHA instituted this program for a few reasons, increasing entries in the shows being one, I think it’s a great alternative. I cannot tell you how many of the great, retired horses are out there showing again, as they should be. I know many retired greats who have been brought back to the show ring and have been given a job again via the lease program. Have you ever seen a show horse, who has gone to the shows his whole life, whinny and have a fit when the trailer leaves without him? I believe they all have a job and place in this great showing experience.”
Q: Overall, do you feel it helps or harms the horse business?
A: “I think it’s working out nicely for owners to have their [out of the show ring] horses get a show record, and this only increases their value if you’re thinking of selling or you are a breeder. I like people to see that non-pros and amateur competitors can ride my horses; it makes them more appealing for a sale, in my opinion.”
Another longtime horse industry breeder and exhibitor disagrees. Cathy Corrigan Frank of Phoenix, Arizona, had this to say when addressing the same questions.
Q: Do you find the new leasing programs valuable, or do you find them challenging and problematic?
A: “I guess there is some value to it, for the family that can’t afford to buy a horse. But, if they think the expenses stop at the purchase, they are in for a surprise! So, I really don’t see any value in it at all.”
Q: Some feel it gives an unfair advantage to new competitors (such as an exhibitor hopping on a prior World Champion and winning immediately). What are your thoughts?
A: “I would have to agree that having someone lease a prior World Champion who then beats long-time exhibitors is unfair. Perhaps, have them be required to compete at a set of horse shows, or for a certain amount of time, before they are eligible to compete at the novice shows.”
Q: In contrast, do you see the program as a helpful alternative to horse ownership?
A: “I don’t see the lease program as helpful. The only area I think it would benefit is maybe in the show arena, but only for those who get to lease the World Champion. No one else would benefit then, in my opinion, and I think the show lease program needs to go away.”
When perusing the internet, still more differing opinions can be found—citing both potential pros and cons of the program. Referring to various blog posts and article responses, there is no shortage of opinions on this topic. Here are a few comments:
“While it was an admirable idea to allow amateurs to lease show horses for a year, and not have to buy them, as far as I can tell, it doesn’t appear to be increasing show numbers. But, it is decreasing horse sales and breeding sales. It is understandable to allow a lease to a novice to allow them to learn on a good, seasoned horse. But, allowing amateurs to lease just means they no longer have to buy a horse to show one… no matter how good or experienced they are. As a result, it’s becoming impossible to sell horses. Breeders are throwing great horses at the top riders to get their horses shown, but when it comes time for that rider to lay out the cash to buy the horse, they simply move on to the next one.”
“Originally, the thought was that having to lease the horse for 12 months would curb this somewhat, but now [they] allow anyone to break a lease for any reason before the 12 months are up. I have seen cases where an amateur has leased a horse for a month or two and then broke the lease. Many of these folks are wealthy and do not need to be leasing horses. Please consider the downside of this and other rule changes before implementing them.” (Anonymous)
“I actually kind of like the lease rule, if it brings new people to the horse show world and boosts the horse show crowd. What I don’t want to happen is for trainers, owners, etc. to lease a great horse to someone just to show one time to win a little. I think that’s defeating the purpose of the program.” (AQHA judge)
“I think that giving youth and amateurs the ability to lease a horse is a great opportunity and will benefit both exhibitors and the associations. I think the lease option will give people, who might not be able to afford a show horse, the opportunity to attend shows and help increase participation. If they’re new, they might discover how much they enjoy the experience and be more likely to buy a horse to continue showing. I think it’s a win-win situation.” (Top breed competitor)
One thing is very clear about the opinions on the show lease programs at this point—and that is the debate is raging, expected to continue for some time, and seems highly dependent on what side of the show ring you’re sitting on. In order to curb abuse of the program, just like a seasoned show horse, it might require a “tune up” before it’s in prime shape. At the end of the day, the good news is that whether a horse is purchased, leased, or otherwise enjoyed, there are still positive effects on the industry as a whole.
More information and leasing forms can be found online at AQHA.com and APHA.com.
