Trainer or Enabler?

Late last week I gave Sean Cunningham, owner and trainer at STC Dressage, a call. He didn't pick up, which wasn't a surprise as he's really busy, but I knew he'd call back as soon as he had a free moment. I could have texted, but I wanted to give him some feedback about the bodywork Izzy had had the day before, and a text would have taken too long. A few minutes later, he returned my call.

Sean: Hey!
Me: Thanks for calling me back, I know you're busy.
Sean: No problem. I can talk; I am at Dressage Extensions. A bunch of LeMieux products are back in stock. Wasn't there something you wanted?

I nearly dropped the phone. All the things, please, I responded. Needless to say, Izzy's sore poll ended up being the last thing we talked about. Sean knew I had been searching for a white LeMieux pad for showing, and as luck would have it, Dressage Extensions finally had several in stock. Good thing because he also wanted one. We both now own a brand new, white Lemieux pad.

I'll take one of those, please.

Since he was there, I also asked about any fly bonnets in maroon. I had just ordered one from Dover, but it turned out to be way too red to match my AA Motionlite coat and helmet. They look purple in this photo, but they truly are maroon. 

Not even close.

The folks at Dressage Extensions are really helpful, so Sean put me on speaker. Between the two of them, they picked out a few bonnets to show me.

Sean: I am texting you a photo.
​Me: Got it. The one on the right is definitely too "red."
Dressage Extensions: We agree. The one on the left should work. It has more of a purple tone than red.
​Sean: Can she return it if it doesn't match? (I love his thinking.)
Dressage Extensions: She has a year to return it if the color isn't right.
​Me: I'll take it!

I'll also take one of those.

While Sean and I continued chatting, someone rang up Sean's order. With the white pad and maroon bonnet picked out, it was my turn at the register. With Sean holding his phone, and me on speaker, I read off my credit card number, expiration, and CVC code. I hope some lucky soul isn't about to buy a new saddle and a pair of Petries. 

With my pad, bonnet, and receipt in his hands, Sean finally turned off the speaker on his phone so we could discuss Izzy's bodywork and schedule this weekend's lesson. I'll pick up my stuff when I head down there in October. Having a trainer who lives ten minutes from Dressage Extensions could be very hazardous to my credit card.

Trainer, enabler, or both?