Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Barnmice Community -> Barnmice Forums -> Dressage -> Is this happening to other coaches and trainers?
Post Info TOPIC: Is this happening to other coaches and trainers?
dbliron


Advanced

Status: Offline
Posts: 121
Date: Apr 25, 2011
Is this happening to other coaches and trainers?
Permalink Closed

I've been stewing about this since yesterday, and I'm wondering if any of you have insights I've missed.

I was at a competition over the weekend with several clients, all of whom did very well, and several of whom won not only their classes but their divisions, which ranged from Training Level through FEI.

The husband of another coach at the competition approached the parents of one of my juniors, asked where the family lived, and then proceeded to grill my client's parents about why they were not training with his wife, instead of with me (this client won her classes and her division).  It's not the first time this kind of thing has happened.  I've had other coaches approach my clients this way, one coach claimed responsibility for another of my client's successes, another claimed that another of my clients was, in fact, her client, and posted information about that client on Facebook, etc., etc.

At the competition this past weekend I had an FEI Junior making her debut with one of my horses, in the qualifying division for NAJYRC.  She had excellent results and then another coach approached this junior about moving to her barn, and training with her, on MY horse!

I am fortunate in that I have wonderful clients, they work hard, and they win a lot.  I'm just not sure what makes these other "professionals" think that poaching is acceptable.  Am I missing something here?



__________________
Jackie Cochran


Advanced

Status: Offline
Posts: 355
Date: Apr 25, 2011
Permalink Closed

Since the economy is bad they may be desperate for winning students, or any students for that matter. 

You have my sympathy.  I would be upset too!



__________________
Nikki Salo


Grand Prix

Status: Offline
Posts: 630
Date: Apr 25, 2011
Permalink Closed

I agree with what Jackie said. They could be on hard times and getting desperate, but that isn't really an excuse. I'd feel terrible if I acted like that, or upset if somebody had approached my students in that manner. no



__________________

Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway. - John Wayne
Barbara F


Grand Prix

Status: Offline
Posts: 831
Date: Apr 25, 2011
Permalink Closed

How rude and unethical!

May I assume you found this out because your clients told you? If so, they must be very loyal and appreciative.

Are you able to approach these poachers and say something to the effect that you are wondering why they would be wooing your clients? Are they having trouble getting clients of their own? It certainly is not professional conduct. I don't know. There must be something you could say next time, but I'm not quite sure what the words would be.

In other words, how can you let them know you are on to them without sounding insecure?

Congratulations, by the way! Obviously, you are doing a GREAT job!!!


__________________

Equine-Thermal-Imaging-logo-Small.jpg

My Barnmice Page
dbliron


Advanced

Status: Offline
Posts: 121
Date: Apr 25, 2011
Permalink Closed

I'm guessing that economic difficulties are driving this, and I agree with Ash and Jackie.  It just stuns me that some professionals are being so unprofessional.

I have been told by several other coaches that I have the bulk of the available clientele, but I don't market myself or my services, I just do my job the best way I know how.  My clients are loyal and appreciative, and I hope that I'm just as loyal to them and as appreciative of them.

I'm not sure what to say either, Barbara, or how to say it, or, I guess, whether or not I should say anything.  My clients know that they are always welcome to vote with their feet if they feel that they'd be better served elsewhere, and they choose to stay with me.

Thanks very much for the vote of confidence! Sometimes I wonder if it's me who's out of step...



__________________
justice


Grand Prix

Status: Offline
Posts: 532
Date: Apr 25, 2011
Permalink Closed

So.. you have something these chumps want : ) good for YOU, DB!!!! I would only be concerned that a junior was approached unprofessionally. THAT I would not tolerate or allow more than once but the rest of it is biz as usual from what I can see. The horseworld is very competitive and the average or less trainer/coach/instructor/BO/BM out there is a dime a dozen. Be flattered that these folks are promoting YOU in a way they are totally unaware of and certainly not intending: ).... as long as you trust your clientele, and if not, there are more where they came from, too. If you are the trainer I believe you to be, you will promote your students in whatever way is best for them, be it with you, or not.

Have faith in yourself, DB, and your clients, they are still with you for a reason : )

__________________

"....there is no normal life, Wyatt, there's just life..."
Emiry


Advanced

Status: Offline
Posts: 130
Date: Apr 26, 2011
Permalink Closed

Disgusting. I don't understand why people do stuff like that? It gets around and in the end makes THEM lose face, and clients instead of gain, which is obviously there goal.


__________________

Signs that things arn't going so well: You drowned in an internet surfing accident.
spirithorse


Advanced

Status: Offline
Posts: 344
Date: Apr 26, 2011
Permalink Closed

That is so incredulous.
Name the trainer and the barn if trainer does not own barn.
Let you local GMO know about it.
The public has the right to know about these tactics in order to be prepared when confronted

__________________

Ask and Allow, do not demand and force
Marlene


Advanced

Status: Offline
Posts: 235
Date: Apr 26, 2011
Permalink Closed

Wow, I had no idea the coaching industry could be that cut throat. Envy or imitation is one thing, but claiming to be someone's coach when they aren't or trying to steal clients is pretty low. Word gets around, your best advertising is by mouth, but maybe you need a little news report to write an article about some young riders, their success, and a name dropping of you as their coach wouldn't hurt.



__________________
Figarocubed


Advanced

Status: Offline
Posts: 152
Date: May 3, 2011
Permalink Closed

DB, that's the tackiest thing I've ever heard! Not surprising, given the economy, I suppose. You're doing a fine job, obviously, and your clients know it. So do your competition!

Good for you! Stay above the fray!

__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Barnmice Community -> Barnmice Forums -> Dressage -> Is this happening to other coaches and trainers?
Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard