Skip to main content

Not all Trainers are Created Equal

Image
By
I am two weeks away from my first show of the season, and I have not shown my 3-3 test to anyone yet. Feeling a bit nervous about this, I contacted a local trainer back from Florida to see if she could work with me a couple times this weekend to help me improve my test. The lesson was very frustrating and very discouraging. I think I have been very fortunate to ride with some really talented trainers who are also great communicators (namely Kenny, Kristin, and Ryan). These trainers have a way of making even very challenging rides feel positive and upbeat. It's some sort of magic that they know just the ride words and exercises to transform Gadget in each lesson into a better horse than the day before. Even when I fail to get an exercise, I feel that each of them is quick to praise the right reaction and encourage me that we will get it.

Yesterday, Gadget actually felt good in the warm up. However, he felt worse as the lesson went on and we weren't able to really supple or work through any forward exercises. Also, I was surprised that the trainer basically had a very negative view of my riding and said she didn't think I'd be able to move Gadget up without some serious work. During the lesson, we did a lot of standing and listening and very little riding. After the lesson there were many other negative digs that rattled through my head all day yesterday. I had planned and scheduled to ride Saturday and Sunday with her, but last night I decided that there is no use getting beat up again without any help to improve, so I cancelled.

I was genuinely surprised to receive such a negative lesson. As we started the lesson, I explained many of my position challenges and my riding challenges with Gadget. I was quick to offer that my left leg is too far back and right leg too far forward. I tend to become too immobile on the right rein. My right arm has a mind of its own that I am trying to fix. Meanwhile I explained that Gadget's canter is a real challenge for me and I have a hard time getting the correct uphill feel. However, when other trainers point out these problems, they do so in a constructive manner. It's hard to describe the difference, but I could really feel the difference yesterday. 

I think there are some trainers and students that just don't click. It's not worth letting someone steal my joy and confidence for a lesson. I think I am going to stick with videoing some of my rides at home prior to the show to try to fine tune some of our work. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

When old becomes new - update to my old Pikeur Diana!

By
Here is the finished product! It was a plain black jacket so I added white and light blue trim with RHINESTONES! It's very sparkly! Here's a closeup of the collar, which looks better than the pocket. Now I am going to try to add coordinating trim (minus the rhinestones) to the saddle pad.
Post a Comment
Read more

2014 - New Year, New Goals

By
This past year was a great year for me and Gadget. Although we had our ups and downs, I've learned a lot this year. We made our third level debut, earned our bronze medal in only two shows, improved the flying changes dramatically, and earned Champion for Adult Amateurs at third level in my GMO.  For 2014, I have several goals: Keep Gadget's back feeling good. I think I have found a good combo of chiro, shoeing, saddle fit, and vet maintenance to prevent him from getting sore rather than waiting until he's in pain. Hopefully it works this year. Continue improving Third Leve l. Last year was a great intro to third level, but I am finally learning to ride Gadget more uphill, which is improving everything. This year I want to try 3-2 and 3-3. The canter-halfpass is still tough for us, but it's looking better. I am going to work to fix things that are easy points -- halts, turn on the haunches, transitions, and good centerlines. I am going to focus on the quality o...
Post a Comment
Read more

Back in the Saddle Again - quick notes

By
After about 6 weeks out of the saddle due to a compression fracture and strained MCL to my right knee, I am finally back in the saddle! Gadget has been at Kristin's, so I drove up to Cleveland for a lesson. I rode Gadget on Saturday, watched Kristin ride Gadget on Sunday, and then took a lesson on Isaac on Sunday. Here are just the highlights to remember: Ride with square, straight shoulders I tend to put Gadget in shoulder-fore all the time and ride with my shoulders twisted to the inside, and I let him disengage his haunches. I need to almost think of turning my chest slightly to the outside. Through corners, I need to think of keeping my shoulders back and very square so as not to overturn. This is also crucial for the turn on to centerline. Do less, expect more. Isaac has a nice, strong collected canter. I was able to work on really holding my seat still while still maintaining the active canter. Need to do this with Gadget. Be softer on the left rein in the ri...
Post a Comment
Read more