Anyone had a lesson from Ernest Dillon?

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pnap

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I just wondered if anyone on here had ever had a lesson - either flatwork or jumping - off him and what it was like. PM me if you prefer.

Also at what stage do you think it's appropriate to go for lessons from a "top coach" - I'm sort of floundering about at the moment and need something to motivate me to push both him and me to improve. I would love a lesson of someone with this sort of profile but don't want to turn up and for him to laugh me out of the arena for being so amateurish - not saying that's what would happen but just wouldn't want to appear like a complete f*nny and waste his time and my money.
 
Yes, I used to have monthly jumping lessons off him for about a year. TBH I actually really liked his teaching, although I have heard either you love him or hate his methods! He IS pretty tough and can yell so if that isnt how you like to be taught you wont like him. For me, thats exactly how I ride best. He includes flatwork as well (ie. a good canter etc.) and works on both horse and rider.

Im still peed off that he stopped coming up to my area! Nobody else has been as good. So he's definately worth a go, or even if you went along to one of his training sessions and watched first.
 
I had a lesson with him a few years ago, and found it really beneficial. I though that he may laugh me out of the arena, as he was doing two days of lessons at college, and most of the other people he was teaching were much much better than me. However, you are paying him to teach you - and that is what he should do. (I had a jump lesson)

I found him helpful and gave me a lot of good pointers and tips to improve me and my horse. I was a bit terrified when I started - as I usually am with different trainers - but soon got over that as he made me work really really hard! But I would expect to be made to work hard in a lesson like that - and if I didn't come out of it feeling absolutely knackered I wouldn't feel like I had got my moneys worth!!!

I would say do it! I have had lessons with a few different relatively well known people - and you will always learn a lot. I have never come across anyone who will laugh you out of the arena - as at the end of the day you are paying them to teach you.
 
He wouldn't laugh at you. His lessons are very good, friends have had jumping lessons of him. I haven't as I dont jump much. However when ever a good trainer is in our area there is usualy at least two of us who go. I have had flat work lessons off some very highly regarded trainers, and I am no top class rider, they were fantastic, learnt lots from them.
 
I prefer it when someone has a good roar at me as well. I need that sort of teaching - don't do too well with the nicey nicey ones - though they have their place too. I might speak to YO and see what the deal is with getting outside instructors in then - it's a riding school as well you see - and then give it a bash. Can't really do any harm I wouldn't suppose.
 
He taught a PC lesson we were at and whilst he was acceptably direct and to the point with my child, if he had spoken the way he did to others I would have raised a complaint. It seemed unneccessary points scoring and showmanship which, in my view, could well have been replaced by solid guidance and understanding. At least one child left having her pony made fun of and looking decidedly crestfallen. I would investigate other trainers first, quite frankly.
 
I too used to have the regular lessons with him MM, I guess it was at the same place. i too am cheesed off he doesn't come up to our area anymore. He is tough and don't go to him if your ego can't cope with it. me and my pal know we are rubbish so we got on great with him. he can roar a bit so as MM says if you don't like that then don't go. I personally need a good roar occasionally. i can't bear instructors who tell you something is good when it quite obviously isn't. I really miss his lessons and can feel old bad habits that he had knocked out of me creeping back. Need another fix I think.

If anyone ever hears that he is up in aberdeenshire/moray please pm me.
 
Love him!
I use to be his groom when he was near Bristol 10 years ago! Loved every minute of riding his horses & having him bellow at me! Think I got it harder as I was his groom & also they were his young horses for selling or jumping.
I mainly did flat work & a the odd jumping as the horses didn't need it too much.
He sorted my lower leg from slipping back & me constalty being ditched my this darn horse over 3' flanks. Something along the lines of "Keep your F'in heels down!" It worked! I have remembered ever since!
I benefitted so much from him it was great. Plus no matter how hard a drilling I got we when left the arena we were always friends no grudges held.
He is fantastic at working the individual rider & horse. To their caperbilities & he does PC teaching as well.
Wish he wasn't so far up north now & a bit nearer to here!

Like someone else said see if he is doing a clinic near you that you could go watch first? You will learn alot off just watching from him!
 
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