Absolute Saint Wanted - instructor

T

Thorthepony

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FOR NORTH WEST KENT / SOUTH LONDON AREA

I am hoping that some of you can give me some recommendations. I am a very overweight, very under confident lady who wants to be able to start riding my horses again. I desperately need some professional help with my riding and to get me back in the saddle again. However, the instructor needs to not be adverse to teaching a larger person and also to have the patience of a saint with very very nervous riders. I know it is asking a heck of a lot to find someone to take me on but I am really hoping that you can give me some recommendations or if any instructors read this who would like one heck of a challenge. Ideally, names and email addresses or mobile numbers would be great as I can then send a mail explaining all about me and my horses.

I so want to do this during this year, and my ultimate goal is to get out to a walk and trot test as dressage is my passion. I cannot promise that I will be the perfect pupil, I cannot promise that I wont be terrified to start with but I CAN promise that I will try my hardest.

So, over to you good people of Horse & Hound forum - can you come up with anyone???

Many thanks :)
 
Aw, what a lovely post :D

May I suggest that you also post it in Comp Riders? There are instructors etc. who go in there who may not always pop into NL :D.

I hope that you fulfil your dream :D

Wishing you all the best :D
 
I don't know how far she travels but i would def recommend a lady called Vanessa Connell. She teaches my mum who has alzheimer's and is very patient and encouraging, great for confidence giving. I particularly like her as she always has a new exercise to do which makes lessons fun but you learn a lot at the same time. Her number is 07765 905368, she's based Maidstone way. :)
 
How nice do you sound?!!

Sorry I can't help as am too far away but good luck and be brave!!

I often have to 'have a word with myself' before I jump! Be firm with yourself and trust your horse. You CAN do this, clearly from your post, you want it badly enough and are prepared to work for it.
 
Vanessa C visits yards in Bexley and Swanley so if you're that area you should be OK. A couple of friends use her and sing her praises.

Let me know how you get on (and who you chose) as I'm looking for an instructor at the mo and sound very similar to you!
 
Thank you so much everyone for your kind words, your encouragement and your recommendations. There are a couple of names and numbers there that I will try, thank you. I thought I had found a lady who sounded ideal, but she seems so hard to get hold of and never returns any emails that I have sent so it would seem that perhaps she is not the one after all and that is why I am looking again now.

I really want to conquer this problem but I cannot do it on my own. It is hard enough when you under confident anyway but couple that with being sufficiently overweigh that most of the world seems to think you should not exist much less want to ride, then it becomes very tough indeed.

Thank you all so much for your help and encouragement and I will let you know who I end up going with and how we get on.

Hugs to all xx
 
There are lots of larger sizes out there who ride beautifully and, whilst some things may be easier when you have skinny long legs, don't let that put you off (and certainly don't let an instructor get you down about it!).

I think you're rather too far away from us but my OH - Andrew Pinner - is fabulous with riders undergoing a confidence crisis and has a knack of putting horses and humans at ease. We're just outside Godalming in Surrey - Upper House Farm Stables. Size isn't something that would occur to him to have a problem with.
 
wow I really hope you find the right instructor for you :)

I'm a 'lady on the large side' and have also had confidence issues so I know how hard it can be.

You WILL get there, it takes time.
And I'm sure it will be okay for you, you're brave enough to face this and that's sometimes the hardest part.

I found that setting myself very small, achievable goals helped.

I started riding in walk with other riders in the ménage and am now, less than 2 months later, hacking out in company for 2 hours! :D


Your welcome to PM me if you want to share the highs and lows of getting confidence back :D
 
I wish I was nearer - this is exactly the kind of thing I specialise in. If you ever need any advice or online support, drop me a PM and we can have a chat :)

Good Luck!
 
I really wish you luck in getting back in the saddle. You do not say how overweight you are but it may be a good idea before riding to hire a mechanical horse to help rebuild your core strength before having lessons on a real horse. I had a lady come to try my 17.2 hh very heavyweight ID and she was far too heavy for him. However, most of this was down to her lack of strength and balance. She said she was an experienced rider but her weight had prevented her riding for the last few years. Unfortunately she almost fell off when my horse started to trot. I couldn't help her as I didn't wan my horse (who was 16) to have such an unbalanced and heavy rider. She was a lovely lady and it was so difficult being honest with her. I felt very sorry for her. But I think if she had used a mechanical horse for a couple of months, it would have been a different story. Good luck
 
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I just want to say what a lovely and brave post. I will be crossing all my fingers that you find the right person - but you've made the first step - you want to get going and sort things out... you sound lovely!!

Just remember to trust your gut instincts about people over the phone etc. as it sounds like a bad experience in a lesson may damage your confidence... nature gave us the ability to spot warning signs so go for it...

Also keep us updated - I have too struggled (as have most) with serious confidence issues over the years (ebbs and flows for me) if you ever want a sounding board for ideas drop me a PM happy to help!!

Good luck!! Wishing on a star for your Walk and Trot dressage dream to come true.


T xxx
 
I also use Vanessa Connell, and think she is wonderful. I really enjoy her lessons, she always has new excersises and pushes you just enough. I think she could really help you!
Her home number is: 01622 741500
 
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