’Tis the season for “away” horse shows. You and your horse, on the road, at the show, footloose and fancy-free, no email, perhaps limited cell phone capability, no computers…bliss! At the end of the day, you put your horse to bed and return to the hotel room, which is …littered with sweaty horse show clothes, half-eaten food and paddock boot dirt. There’s not an inch of room on the sink counter or a clean towel to be found. Ah, roommates!

I had to share a room with my sister when we were young. I had a college roommate who let her boyfriend sleep in our room. One of the reasons I got married at 24 was so that I could pick my own roommate. I hate roommates. But roommates at horse shows are useful. Pairing up is an excellent way to cut costs, and we all know I’m in favor of that. But how to do it without ruining a friendship or losing your mind?

1. Communicate about details and costs.

Don’t wait until two days before the show to book a room. Share rooms with people who have similar schedules and body clocks when possible. Discuss how to split costs. There are a variety of ways to do it. One person can pay the hotel bill, and the other can write a check to cover half. Or, one person can pay for the hotel room, while the other pays for stabling and bedding, if that cost is about equal.

2. Neatness counts.

It’s easy to come back from the horse show, peel off all your nasty gear and spread it everywhere. This isn’t so pleasant when sharing a room. Try to limit your destruction to one small area of the room.

3. It’s me or the dog.

If you’re bringing the dog, do it legal. Hotels have more generous pet policies than they used to. Don’t insist on smuggling, especially when you’re sharing a room with others. No one wants to be an accomplice so that you can save $25. And, by the way, the dog owner is responsible for the additional expense of the “doggie fee.”

Sharing Hotel Rooms Dos and Don’ts

Do:

1. Try to room with people who are on similar schedules. Night owls and early risers usually aren’t a good mix in a 300-square-foot hotel room.
2. Decide on method of payment before you go to the show. Will you split the bill? Or will one of you cover another expense equal to the cost of half of the bill?
3. Discuss (the night before) what time you’re getting up in the morning, and who is taking the first shower. It’s easy to say, “We’re getting up at 6:30 a.m. and we’ll be out the door by 7 a.m.” But if you and your roommate are both planning to spend 20 of those 30 minutes in the bathroom, you have a problem.
4. If you plan to depart together in the morning, establish a firm departure time. If you’re leaving before your roommate, prepare your things the night before so you can be as quiet as possible when you get up and leave.
5. Pack earplugs.
6. Offer your roommate use of the bathroom before you go in for an extended shower.
7. Remember that you’re in a shared space. Consideration and respect for those around you will make things go more smoothly.

Don’t:

1. Walk around naked. Even if you’re OK with nudity or even partial nudity, your roommate might not be.
2. Walk around the room wearing dirty boots or shoes, especially the bathroom.
3. Use all of the towels, shampoo and other room supplies without leaving enough for your roommate.
4. Expect your roommate to pay half of the doggie fee for your dog.
5. Discuss intimate details on your cell phone in front of your roommate.
6. Borrow things that don’t belong to you. This includes underwear, show shirts, socks, wine and candy bars.

Got a hotel horror story? Do tell!

Send me your barn manners question and comments, Elizabeth@sheridesipay.com.