Would it be rude to ask...

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kandm

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To cut a long story short, down the road from my yard a family bought some land and have built a gorgeous house, stable block and huge indoor school. Now from what I can gather they have one/two liveries on the yard, but don't know the relations so could be friends etc. However would it be really really cheeky to possibly write a letter or similar and ask if I could possibly use/hire their school during the winter months once/twice a week? Would of course pay for the hire.

I'm thinking the worst they can say is no?

It really does look like a lovely school, and would be fantastic if I could hire it.

Thoughts please??

I don't want to appear rude, or crazy...

Thanks :).
 
I think a polite letter would be fine, the worst they ignor it. I would give them the choice of replying by address or phone as if they want to say no but dont want to call they can.

Good Luck!
 
I don't see why they would think its rude and there's no harm in asking - the worst thing to happen is that they will say no. I wouldn't send a letter though. I would go round and see them in person.

Good luck.
 
Thanks for the replies. But the whole writting letter V talking in person, is what I'm most struggling with. I just don't know which would be the most appropriate...
 
I would write a letter as gives them the option to think about it without being put on the spot. An old friend did this about a yard that wasnt being used - had 4 boxes, school and loads of acres basically free as they werent using it!
 
Ah yes, I like you're thinking there with the whole putting them on the spot - no one likes that.

A letter it shall be, I think :p.

Anyone got any ideas/tips on how to write a polite persuasive letter :p??
 
I think technically speaking, writing a letter would be more appropriate BUT going over to see them in person might give them some idea of you as a person and thus might help sway their decision, I'd go over and have a chat with them.....at least that way you'll get an answer :-)
 
Dear ...................

I hope you don't find this letter a bit too forward!! But I live at ......... and have .................... and I was wondering whether you would consider .......................................... .

I would be most grateful if you could let me know on .................. or .........., ..........., ............., ............. .

Yours,

Winnie the Pooh. xx
 
The one thing about asking is that I'm only 16/17, so may just look like a kid... However my sister who is 25 who is also on the same yard as me, also wants to use the school. But then again would it look intimidating if the two of us went??
 
I think you should try.
Do it in a polite way and say how you would be respectful of their property.

I think a letter would be a good idea, as knocking on their door might comes a across wrong. You know whats its like when you get someone knocking at the door wanting something from you!
 
blucanoo1990 said:
I think you should try.
Do it in a polite way and say how you would be respectful of their property.

I think a letter would be a good idea, as knocking on their door might comes a across wrong. You know whats its like when you get someone knocking at the door wanting something from you!
Click to expand...

Very true. I think I am swaying very much for writing a letter :). Should I possibly put something in the letter suggesting that if they would like to meet me (to make sure I'm not a physco :p) that I am more than happy to?? :)
 
I think in the letter you should state your age and your sisters, give them a brief summary of your riding ability and provide them with a character reference from your current YO / Instructor or similar.

If I were in their position I would appreciate the extra info & a way to do a bit of background research on who you are.

Good luck.
:)
 
My mum was saying just the same as I was mentioning it to her. She said the same points about you, especially knowing more about me/my sister :).

So would to start the letter with introducing myself, enquiring about the school how it would be a fantastic opportunity, then leading on about myself again in more detail? Or introduce myself, go into more detail about myself/sister, then lead onto the enquiry??

Can you tell I am quite new to this? I just have one shot and don't want to get it wrong :).
 
How about something like this -



Dear .....

My name is ......... I am ... years old and I live at .........

My reason for writing is that I wondered if you would consider allowing my sister, age....., and myself to hire your arena for schooling our horses. We have (type & size of horses). I hope you don't find this too forward and obviously completely understand if you don't wish to hire the arena out but I thought it was worth a polite enquiry.

I have enclosed a character reference from ...... & if you would like to speak to my instructor for more background his / her name is..... and his / her telephone number is.......

I would very much appreciate hearing from your with your decision, my email address is......... or my telephone number is.......

Your faithfully


J M Bloggs
 
I'd do the letter, say it is you and your sister, your ages and maybe what you do with your horses too.

Something like, "between us we have two horses and are competing at BD Novice" you could then add a bit of persuasiveness by saying something like "during the winter it is difficult to school and I wonder if you would consider allowing us to hire your school. We would be willing to arrange set times and a hire fee."

I think going round to ask may be a little too pushy. But if they are new neighbours could you pop round and just introduce yourself before you send your letter. Maybe just say hello, tell them you have the horses down the road and wanted to introduce yourself to your new horsey neighbours, then leave it a week or two and send the letter. You could refer to having met them in your letter then and they would know that you are the polite friendly girl that they met before. If you have an excuse for going round, like giving them details of the local horsewatch or riding club or something that would look more natural.
 
There is a beautiful small yard in my village that belongs to the "big house" that has been empty since I moved here over 6 years ago. I recently decided to write to them to see if they would consider renting it to me. I wrote a very simple note explaining I lived in the village and wondered if they would considering renting the yard, giving my contact details and address. They actually called me back and were very nice about it but explained that as the only access was up the side of the house they didn't really want to rent it but if I was ever stuck I was welcome to put my horses there for a couple of months until I was sorted which I thought was really nice of them.
 
if it was me i would be tempted to write a letter, take it round to the house and drop it through the letterbox (at a time when there is a chance someone maybe about) they may shout over can i help and hey pesto you take it from there. If no one is about a letter gives them the opp to discuss it and also how much money they would want.
you never know it maybe the start of a sideline for them!
 
When I found my little house and wanted to rent it I popped a letter through my landlords door then popped round a couple of days later and said that I hoped he didn't think I was being cheeky but I saw the house (expalined how as its very out of the way) and asked if he had recieved my letter. To which he said yes and I think your mad shall we go look inside? We nipped round discussed the finer details of the let and 2 years on one very happy landlord and one very happy me!

They can only say no and if you say that its ok for them to say no and put them at ease then its not rude at all.
 
If you don't ask you don't get. I have just rented 30 acres through finding out and writing, go on good luck.

Hello DOU, hope you are well. x
 
The only thing I wonder is that they obviously have money so it maybe money is not an incentive to rent their school out so you could also put the angle of any added benefits ie security, in the letter and offer to help in anyway.

If it was me I'd be happier with someone offering to care for my horses if I went away the weekend for example rather than the money.

I would have alarm bells ringing for a 16 yrs old but you sound lovely and the letter example is very mature and articulate so I'd be happier once I'd met you and confirmed in my mind that you'd be the right person.
 
Another one for letter and not going around. It puts them on the back foot and I peronsally hate people turning up unannounced at my door - buts thats because I primarily work from home with only 1 day in the office and am normally on the phone/conference calls or disappearing out for a meeting - and I seem to get a lot of cold callers where I live!. I liked the simple explanation and offer of a reference though would maybe make the letter come from your sister as she is 25?
 
Gluttonforpunishment said:
How about something like this -



Dear .....

My name is ......... I am ... years old and I live at .........

My reason for writing is that I wondered if you would consider allowing my sister, age....., and myself to hire your arena for schooling our horses. We have (type & size of horses). I hope you don't find this too forward and obviously completely understand if you don't wish to hire the arena out but I thought it was worth a polite enquiry.

I have enclosed a character reference from ...... & if you would like to speak to my instructor for more background his / her name is..... and his / her telephone number is.......

I would very much appreciate hearing from your with your decision, my email address is......... or my telephone number is.......

Your faithfully


J M Bloggs
Click to expand...

I suggest you also add in you'd like to hire it once/twice a week maximum for an hour at a time maximum (or whatever time you want) and whether you want it evenings, mornings, afternoons. Say you'd be flexible to fit in with their requirements or would be happy to stick to a a fixed day or time whatever would work best. Make sure you also reiterate that you'd be willing to make a payment, perhaps even say pay up front for 4 weeks hire as a trial and then continue to pay in advance for each 4 week period. I think the more information/options you give the better your chance. It looks like you've done your homework and are not just expecting to rock up at any time to suit you.

Good luck, nothing ventured, nothing gained and all that!
 
My parents (where I keep my ponies) has an all weather out door and a neighbour asked if she could use our arena when we weren't (and pay for it)... As at the time, all my horses were out of work, we said no problem (and we didn't charge them)... They've become really good friends and we often see each other both with the ponies and socially...

We certainly weren't offended and don't see why people would be - just don't take offence if they ask for some renumeration or say no... You sometimes have to pay rates on an indoor and it can be expensive.

Blitz
 
Think your letter should mention what insurance you have in this day and age! I used to hire a local manege and the lady has stopped hiring out because someone tried to sue her when they had an accident.
 
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