Anyone in Scotland had a lesson with:

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now_loves_mares

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Yvonne McFarlane
Jo Barry
Ernest Dillon

And have any thoughts? Or recommend anyone in central Scotland area? Key thing at the moment is to get my 4yo out and about (yikes! She's a bit wild
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) so looking to get her to as many places as possible. But also as I don't have an arena and she's not safe to hack on the roads yet, I just need to get her ridden more often! However I also have an older and slightly less stupid one too, and as my trainer is 3 1/2 hours away I really need to start getting a bit more consistent help with her too (plus, the arena thing again...)
 
I've not personally had lessons with them but I know people who have. Everyone I know who's had lessons with him have raved about Ernest. I know a couple of people who've had lessons with Yvonne via RC and they enjoyed them. I only know 2 people who've had lessons with Jo and they didn't enjoy them and stopped going.

Other trainers in Central region that I can think of off the top of my head are:

Dressage - Margaret Hanson, Joy McLean, Linda Penman
Jumping- Ron Brady, Douglas Duffin, John Cameron
XC - Sara Mayberry, Sarah Holden
 
I use to be Ernest's head groom when he was in Bristol 10 years ago.
He is fantastic as a coach, really good with young horses as well. He tells you what he see's be it good or bad! Personally can't rate him enough. Taught me a heck of alot especially not to fall of jumping!
 
I have been taught by Jo Barry & I didnt really enjoy it. I struggled to hear what she was saying & she kept up an almost continual stream of 'comments' rather than giving presise instructions. She was also £££££!

I have had a couple of great jumping lessons with Andrew Hamilton, he is very good.
 
If you want to get out and get a lesson with someone like you mention, SNEC do various trainers in group sessions all the time e.g. David Gatherer, Andrew Hamilton, Jo Barry. Jo Barry also teaches at her yard just outside Edinbugh I think. She used to anyway. Ronnie and Douglas are good but be prepared to wait about a lot....Ernest is brilliant, a real horseman, but you have to be committed to learning.
 
Ernest is excellent. I had him regularily for about a year until he stopped coming up here. He works on flatwork (ie. a good canter etc.) as well as the jumping and is very clear in what he requires. He CAN be quite stroppy and yell a bit though so this can get some peoples backs up, it depends what style you like. Made me ride my best though as I was scared not to!
 
Ernest is great. Douglas and Ronnie are also good but as has already been mentioned you will wait for ages
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Andrew Hamilton is also great for jumping. I don't rate Sarah Houlden as that great a teacher (she certainly wasn't the day we were there).

Margaret Hansen is good for dressage as is Linda Penman.
 
Thanks for all the posts. I've had a few Andrew lessons and trying to get my young one in to his next one at SNEC. Interestingly I've actually had a couple of Jo Barry lessons but didn't say that as didn't want to direct the conversation any particular way - but I slightly felt the same as the comments. She told me what I was looking for but not exactly how to ride to get it
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Interesting about Ernest, seems lots of positive feedback, might give him a try then - does anyone know where he teaches now? I can't have him at home for aforementioned lack of arena. Linda also teaches my riding club so I'll maybe give her a try too as she's very local to me (even nearer than Oatridge I think
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)

Thanks again everyone
 
I have Ernest's mobile so PM me if you want it.
Don't know where he is teaching at the mo though.
 
I think Ernest is teaching at Ingliston now. I've had a few lessons from Yvonne up at Kingsbarn and would rate her. What about Fiona Flynn at Houston just outside Bathgate, she is very good with youngsters.
 
Thanks - his number is in this month's equi-ads so I have it.

He was teaching at Ingliston, but have a feeling he's not there now, as his ad this month suggested he was freelance, but taught out of specific venues.

Springwoods looks good - not least for the arena hire, and it's quite close to me too. Funny how these things are so hard to find, I've been looking for a reasonable priced indoor arena to hire for ages!
 
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