No Transport - what do you do?

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Gorgeous George

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Just wondering really, I don’t have my own transport and can’t see me ever having any to be honest
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(well unless I win the lottery!). I beg lifts off very kind friends when I can
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, but I don’t know all that many horsey people and those I do don’t seem to go to the same kind of shows I do (I like to go to unaffiliated dressage, small jumping shows, local hunter trials), so I am often stuck.

So what do you guys do? Do you just accept that you often can't go or be able to choose what comps you go to, do you hack to shows (if so how far would you be prepared to ride?) or do you save up and hire transport if you really want to go somewhere.

I am feeling a bit fed up because I never thought I would want to go to competitions and clinics etc. but have now realised they're something I really enjoy and I love the challenge (even if it scares me sometimes!). I know I am being selfish / ungrateful etc. getting upset about this
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. I should just be content that I am so lucky to have a lovely family, good job, fabby horse and so on but.......................
 
You can always hire transport although if your going regularly that can become expensive. I know how you feel, I have no transport either but I'm dying to get out showing with my pony next year - although no one else on my yard ever goes anywhere so no idea how I'm going to get out and about yet.

Are you a member of a riding club? Anyone there who maybe has transport you could share with and would be interested in going to the same things as you and George?
 
I have the same problem, i have friends with transport but with Max being so bloody big he just won't fit in a standard trailer.
This was never a problem before, but i now want to start doing more with him. Since starting lessons with him it has made me want to get out there and do some tests etc

I had a trailer but when i lost my last horse i sold it, thinking i was done with horses. Along came Max no transport and no funds to replace trailer
 
I have a mixture of hire,borrowing and begging
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We have a 7.5t on the yard which we are alllowed to use free of charge (only diesel) but I don't have the right license so it depends if I can persuade anyone to drive. I also borrow a 3.5t from my horses previous owner but this is all dependent on whether they are racing or hunting so obviously i can't use it if they needed and these plans can all change at the v last moment. If these options fail then I use one of two hire companies near me both 3.5t renault boxes that are about £100 a day. I do pick and choose my comps so I don't feel like I am asking the same person twice in a row.
 
I got fed up of having no transport. Hacked to a local show for 2 years. I then moved yards so my yard was out of hacking distance so I paid someone to give me a lift there and back for a year. I got really fed up of only being able to go to that one show a few times a year so worked 6 days a week for a year (one day overtime) and saved up for my little 3.5 ton wagon. I looked into hiring but do that a few times and you may as well save up and buy one!
 
Sell your car and Buy a tow truck and just hire a trailer when you need to. Trailer hire ranges from £25 - 45 a day depending on the hire company
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Simples.........
 
not quite that simple, OH loves having a 'proper' driving car and would never agree to have a tow vehicle and we can't afford 2 cars. I have to say I would be pretty scared of towing a trailer myself with a strapping 16.3 in it - but that's just me!
 
I have the same problem nobody wants to go to the same shows as me so I have 2 choices save up for my own transport or hire which isn't cheap either. Hiring a trailer for me wouldn't be an option as I couldn't afford to run a 4x4 on daily basis the amount of travelling I do and I would also need to take my trailer test.
 
I either hack to RC shows or dressage which is normally 4 x dressage a year and 2 x shows. I also hack to clinics. I normally ride over in walk and it takes between 45-1 hours.

If I want to do more such as affiliated showing I hire a lorry. I did do the maths of buying a lorry but unless I wanted to go out every weekend which I don't - once a month during the spring and summer is plenty enough for me - it was cheaper to hire the lorry taking into consideration the plating and maintenance as well as diesel costs and purchase price.
 
Oh GG - I wish I lived near you! I have a tow vehicle and trailer but don't have anyone to go to shows with!
I have been to a few little shows but can only go when my hubby is free as I am not really confident enough to go on my own. The trailer hasn't moved since August
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Sorry - that's not really helpful is it except to say we're never completely satisfied are we!!
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Don't feel guilty! I spent years when we were on a livery yard watching everyone else go and have fun whilst we stayed at home- it's quite gutting!

Don't give up on the idea just yet though! I never in a million years thought I'd tow on my own- the thought alone terrified me- plus horsey was a very bad loader- but now I wouldn't give it a second thought, I actually enjoy it! I was strapped for cash too but we managed to find our trailer- an old Ifor 505- for a good price second hand. We also found a reasonabley priced 4x4 too and tbh the running costs really aren't that scary. Maybe you could somehow get hubbie to have a sit in one- he might like it and become a convert! If you explain to him how important this is to you- and don't feel selfish this is a big part of your life- would he maybe have a rethink?
 
It's a shame no one comes up with the idea of a syndicate - a bit like when people share the cost of small planes. Is there anyone on the yard (or a few people) who would like to buy into a small lorry? Would you be able to afford this option if a few people got involved?

I was like you and bought a second hand shogun sport then borrowed a very kind livery's trailer til OH saved up and bought me my own. I know how horrid it is not to have transport so I am always willing to give a lift - well I rope OH in, I have enough trouble driving the car without things being attached!
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Before I got transport I used to only go to things that I could hack to. IF there was some thing further away I would hire transport or I would beg lifts from who ever. I was then lucky enough to get my trailer...... I wish I was closer to you as you could "hop" on with me
 
I was a bit cute and chose a yard within hacking distance of one local venue. I otherwise pal up with yard mates and hire (or borrow) a trailer to go on.
 
Trish- can you not hire a lorry? Manningtree hire them out for half and full days- really easy to drive lorries- or trailers the trailers are £30 a day and a lorry is £100 for a 24 hour period and they fit two horse (I've had a 16.3hh and a 13hh in one and we split the hire cost between us. I Choose one show a month to go to and budget £100 for showing costs a month from May to Sept so I split the cost of the lorry £50, then add about £15 for half the fuel then bout £25 for entry costs and a £10 for food purches etc on the day. If you hire a trailer its even cheeper.
 
I was hacking to shows. About 4 miles. But I can't really do that now as my hip plays up and I end up walking most of the way home. Most people at the yard have trailers but he doesn't load well and can only practise occasionally when we catch someone who has just come back from a comp. Looking at being a full time student next year so buying or hiring out of the question so I guess I just won't compete, unless I can find a cheap yard where they hold comps!
 
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