How much Klaus and the other Team coaches make

[Coreene]

This was on TOB as well, but interesting so I thought I'd share here.

In 2006, and of course not counting clinics and such, here's what they were paid by USEF:

George Morris $265,000
Equiland $251,000 (Google this, it's Mark Phillips)
Klaus Balkenhol $193,000

Re Klaus, not bad for a retired cop, eh? ;)

[MistyBlue]

My ex is a retired cop...his last 10 years of service he was making close to that $193k with normal overtime. :yes: (including swat captain bonuses)
I assumed George and Mark made more than that annually.
None of those are incomes to sneeze at...but none of them are as high as I thought they'd be for world reknowned professional sport trainers.
Says something for the lesser audiences and media attention for equine sports. Take a google-gander at what mid-range statistic football coaches make. Or basketball coaches. And these are coaches who aren't normally getting athletes into the Olympics or even into their own finals. And few folks outside of this country would even know who they were.

[Coreene]

My ex is a retired cop...his last 10 years of service he was making close to that $193k with normal overtime. :yes: (including swat captain bonuses).I did not mean it in a derogatory way re the ex-cop comment, just in case that read wrong. I should have said German ex-cop, since pensions there are much different from here.

[snoopy]

I can assure you mark phillips made more than that last year!!!!!!

[Coreene]

I can assure you mark phillips made more than that last year!!!!!!I said it was what he was paid by USEF in 2006. ;)

[snoopy]

sorry I missed that...yes it was a banner year for the captain last year..

[Velvet]

To me, this just begs the question, "How much are they REALLY worth?"

It's the same with CEOs, in my mind. Most are not worth what they are paid. I mean they really do a good job, but is it worth paying them that much? You know that they probably made twice that, with other things they do. Are they worth what they are being paid as clinicians?

It's always "what the market will bear" and how much people are willing to pay, but really, are people worth what they get paid? This could be asked of people at MacDonald's, too. I've run into a few who weren't doing the work they should to receive minimum wage. ;)

So, if we aren't winning the big medals, do they have to take a pay cut? Should they? If this a service organization paid by member dues. And many members do not have the money to pay the increase that will go to pay these coaches salaries, are they worth it?

I'm not asking to be mean. I like Klaus a LOT. I just keep having the question pop up. What is a person's worth? Why and how do we put dollar values on them?

Just a hmmmm....

:D

[tartanfarm]

I agree with the question "what are they really worth", but I also wonder how many hours are spent with our team members.

[Mary in Area 1]

I said it was what he was paid by USEF in 2006. ;)

Actually, you didn't write that, at least on this thread. I was confused too.

[slc2]

the amount doesn't mean anything by itself, without knowing how many days that's for, what expenses are not included, etc. it also doesn't mean anything without knowing how much of his usual income he has to miss out on when he's working for the usef.

one contract was covered in detail in a magazine, the amount paid that time covered 180 coaching days and a 'day' of coaching was defined in detail. that would be a little over a thousand a day, less than an average clinician makes.

i think it would be a real mistake to think that successful olympians and world champions of most sports, including riding, don't have high salaries. that would be just a little naive. whatever fees and salaries they get they also have income from buying and selling horses as well. But for putting up with politics and sacrificing alot of other things including other income, traveling away from home, i think they deserve the money they get. for that willie schultheis fiasco alone he deserves some money, LOL.

balkenhol's biography makes it clear that he worked very hard, farming and in the lower ranks of the police force after the war when no one was getting rich...he's also not had that long apprenticeship with some old master...he was working full time at other jobs the whole time he was riding, more like most american amateurs...and has done alot on his own efforts.

[Coreene]

Actually, you didn't write that, at least on this thread. I was confused too.Sorry, I will go back and change it. When I said "team trainers made" to me that meant paid by USEF. My blonde! :lol:

[sm]

similar thread already started, more comments over on the eventers forum:

Did someone think they did this for free?

I'm missing the shock value

Look at US college Division I football coaches salaries (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2006-11-16-coaches-salaries-cover_x.htm):

Notre Dame gave Charlie Weis a 6-year contract that will pay him $2 million a year. Last year they went 3-9.

How many footbal games are there typically in a regular season? Just 12 games.

[talloaks]

The big question is "Where does all the money come from to pay the USEF coaches salaries?"

[Donella]

I am shocked it isn't alot more than that.

[Velvet]

Well, I don't think it should be more. Not the way the coaching is done these days. If it was back in the old days (60s, 70s and even a bit of the 80s) when they were more hands on with picking the team, matching horses and riders (especially eventing and even jumping since there were "team" horses that were donated) and they also focused solely on daily training of the riders, then I would think they deserved what they got...and more.

I'm just wondering if they all do enough with the team to earn it. Most of the riders already have trainers they work with on their own, using money from sponsors. So why do the coaches get so much? Then again, I know that Klaus really gives back to the sport a LOT, and if this money helps keep that going for him, I'm for it. He can't help it if we don't have anyone that can win a medal at the moment. ( ;) Yes, that was deliberately tweaking a few noses. All in fun, too. People are too serious these days about their favorite riders and their favorite presidential candidate. I think we could all lighten up a little bit and learn to just sit back, watch, and enjoy. :D )