Proxy showing is a service provided by one shower for another. For what reasons might you not be able to attend a live show? Too far? Can't get the day off work? Can't afford the travel expenses? Or do you have another show on the same day? Any of these reasons are a good one to hire a proxy shower. This person will take and show your models at a live show for you for a nominal fee.
Last spring (2005), I was working in a job that made attending live shows very difficult (retail... *shudder*). I sought out a proxy shower as I had several new models and tack that I was dying to get into the showring. I placed several ads on well known sites, and got a response from someone who seemed both reliabe and experienced. I asked for references, but made my first big mistake by not checking them.
The deal we made was that this person would take my horses (21 in total), to 3 live shows she was already planning to attend with her own horses, and then ship them onto a very dear friend of mine for a final show before being sent home to me. The 1st 3 shows were spread over a 1 month period, with the final being 3 weeks later.
Up until the first show, communication from this person had been fast and reliable, keeping me well at ease. Then the trouble started.... I did not here from my proxy shower with any results after the first show. I emailed repeatedly, but it was more than a week before I recieved a hurried email: busy at work, will email this weekend when I have time. Well the weekend came and went... the results from the live show were posted online and when I looked them over I became even more worried. It was obvious to me that a large number of my horses had missed classes, or been placed in the wrong class. I was able to be certain of this because many of the classes had only a few entries, and my horses were not in the placings.
When I saw that I emailed a much more strongly worded email asking for an explanation. After a couple days I recieved back an email that placed the blame on the showholder with such excuses as the show was completely unorganized. Unfortunately for my proxy shower, she had no idea that I was in communication with many of the other competitors at that show besides herself. I already had reports of the show being a succes and that most attendees had thoroughly enjoyed it. How could she have had such a bad experience?
My proxy shower had also mentioned that she had a hard time understanding my instructions for all the performance set-ups. This I could understand, but how could she expect to understand for the next show without asking? After bringing that to her attention, she quickly stated she had them mostly figured out.
After the weekend of the 2nd show, I again didn't here from her for days. I had recieved emailed pictures and reports from other attendees that did not inspire confidence, and it was another week before I heard from my proxy shower. Again, many horses seemed to have missed classes or been placed in the wrong ones. But when I responded, it was too late to fix things for the final show. I had to accept that what she did would have to be good enough.
Unfortunately, this so far is not the bad experience. Because of the short time period between her last show and the following show with my friend, the horses had to be shipped in a timely manner. I was assured they were sent off on time and waited anxiously for news that they had arrived. I happened to be n the phone with my good friend as she unpacked the boxes containg my horses. This was where the nightmare started. Damages totalling hundreds of dollars were found due to very careless packing. Although the boxes were insured, the Post Office denied any coverage specifying the reasons as insufficient packaging. When my proxy shower was contacted and expected to make amends, her true nature came out full force. Without going into the gory details of what was said, she completely denied all responsibiity and I was left with the ruins of my valued treasures.
Some of the specifics of the damages included multiple shattered and broken eartips and legs; broken mane and tails; scratches and more. The only retribution I recieved was that when word of my story spread, this person was marked as untrustable, and hopefully will not be able to hurt anyone else.
Introducing:
The Proxy Contract:
Proxy Shower, Address, Email, Phone Number
References provided:
name, address, email, relationship, years known
Live Show to be attended, Showholder, Date, Location, Showholder contact info
Terms of Compensation/Payment
Shipping Instructions: carrier, service type (priority, express, insured, delivery conf., etc.), packing instructions, etc.
Inventory of boxes: models, tack, props, values, descriptions, etc.
Complete itemized classlist for each horse, and instructions for each class set-up. Include description cards and photographic examples if possible
Liability Agreement: Each box will be insured during shipping for a reasonable amount to cover loss and/or damages. In the event of any claim being denied by the carrier, the party who packed the box(es) will be considered responsible for reimbursement of any monetary loss.
Signatures of both parties.
Some of the most important tips I can pass along are as follows:
#!: Owners: Don't expect your proxy shower to read your mind! Include simple but detailed instructions to be sure there is no confusion. Remember a picture can be worth a thousand words, so if you have time to set your horse up at home and take a photo for your shower to see, that can explain things much more clearly.
#2: Owners: Fill out all your leg tags/3 x 5 cards, description cards, entry forms YOURSELF! DO NOT expect your shower to do it for you. Show day is hectic for anyone, don't add to their stress and create the risk of something not being done the way you wanted. Again: they can't read minds!!!
#3: Owners: Include a complete inventory of all you are sending for when they repack your boxes to ship. This will ensure nothing is overlooked or misplaced.
#4: Showers: be sure to keep good communication open with the owners. Tell them when you will contact them after the show, and follow through. Even if it is just a quick note to say, everything went well, and when you will pass on the details. Don't leave them hanging to fear the worst.
#5: Showers: Go through the instructions and set-ups at least a few days before the show. If you are unsure about any of it, ask! Don't assume that you can 'wing it'.
#6: Make sure all the details are arranged BEFORE anything happens. Heated emotions can really alter a person's view of what is fair. Have your compensation and responsibilities worked out before the models are even shipped to avoid any troubles.
#7: In the age of cell phones, use it to your advantage. If you both have cell phones, exchange numbers for any last second questions, or to quickly pass on good news (such as a well deserved championship!)
#8: Owners: Don't just ask for references, CHECK THEM!! (See story above) Ask intelligent questions that apply to your situation.
#9: REMEMBER: THE MODEL HORSE COMMUNITY IS A VERY WELL CONECTED GROUP. DO NOT SAY OR DO ANYTHING YOU WOULD NOT WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW ABOUT. YOUR REPUTATION IS THE MOST VALUABLE THING YOU HAVE, DON'T SQUANDER IT TO LAZINESS OR HEATED EMOTIONS. PEOPLE ALWAYS REMEMBER THE BAD, DON'T GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY.
#10: ACCIDENTS HAPPEN!! It's how they are handled that will matter. If damages occur, own up to it and accept responsibility. Owners, if that should happen, understand that it was not intentional and your shower probably feels a hundred times worse than you do. As valuable as models can be, they are still just models.
Just follow the guidelines above for a safe and productive transaction.
