Differences in clinic pricing?

[NewbieEventer]

Hope I don't offend anyone by asking this...but what are the reasons for the huge range in clinic fees? I would have assumed that a clinic given by the same clinian would cost roughly the same in price. But in doing some research, I've found prices ranging from $200 to close to $400 for the same clinician. As far as I can tell, both clinics are identical except for location (same clinician, 2 nights board, stadium+cx, etc). So, what determines the price of clinics?

[smokescreen]

Sometimes it is airfare, or is the clinic is being subsidized by a club, or if the person putting on the clinic wants to make some money.

[ZELLA]

Another factor is the length of the clinic (one day vs. two days of sessions), plus the price of the clinician's travel, meals, and accommodation. Some organizers have a guest house or some such for this purpose, but if a hotel is involved, the cost is passed onto the attendees.

[findeight]

Sometimes a barn sponsers these clinics and no ring fees or rental of facilities are involved. Sometimes a club or sponser needs to pay to rent the place. Sometimes stalls are included, sometimes not.

The clinicians basic fees ARE the same but the cost to host the clinic and transport the clinican and feed and water them varies.

And there is nothing wrong with the hosting facility wanting a few bucks for shutting down normal operations for the weekend, they are running a business...but you will find most are charging to break even only, not for profit.

[joiedevie99]

Some clinics limit group size- which means you will get a lot less people splitting the cost.

[mythical84]

I've recently starting organizing clinics and the only way that I'm able to keep things under $150/day (whether dressage or jumping) is to choose clinicians that are within driving distance of the facility.

I recently did a dressage clinic with a dressage trainer 2 hours from the barn. A few people balked at the $125 price (45-min private lesson). However, it would cost just about the same to trailer down to her ($95 lesson fee + gas + time). Also, the cool thing about clinics is that you can hang out and listen and learn while other people ride.

[MIKES MCS]

Most clinicians have a day rate plus expenses , it is then up to the host barn to charge what ever they feel is reasonable . Most try to make a small a profit for thier time and effort .. some are more willing to make less than more and it does depend on how many riders in each group , however the clinicians will often dictate that and how many sessions they will do . Sessions generally run 2 hours and should average 4 to a group 5 at most If you charge them 400.00 per 2 day clinic thats 4,000.00 . many BN clinicians get 2,000.00 per day . So the cost of the clinic covers just that , not the plane ticket, lodging and meal expenses and if required a rental car . The difference is usually made up in stall fees .. but even then you are still paying for extra bedding and labor. Don't forget the complimentry lunch and or breakfasts either .. Pretty much eats up ( no pun intended ) most of any so called profit.

[NewbieEventer]

Thanks for the replies. Makes sense now :yes: