BD test riding clinics - Steph Cooper or Cherry Elvin?

Gamebird

Gamebird

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BD sent me an email today with a load of upcoming training. They are running test-riding clinics not too far away with both of these trainers. Whilst I have a trainer/instructor that I trust ;), I do think it would be useful to get some opinions from a listed judge, especially as I have a test to ride in a few weeks for a big occasion so top tips on that one would be worthwhile.

Any suggestions which to go for? I'm a little scared of being told we're useless and shouldn't even be considering competing at the level we are! :(
 
I am waiting for comments on this thread with interest. I don't know the other lady, but the name of Cherry Elvin strikes fear into my heart even after 25 years! I did my AI while she was at Newark Tech and Brackenhurst. A month before my stage 3 she made me feel like the most useless person ever, totally slammed my confidence, and if I hadn't had a trip home and a good long chat with my regular home instructor, I don't think would have picked myself back up! Depends what type of teacher you react to, I prefer more gentle style, but others are better with someone who chases them..
 
The only two near me are gwyneth Lewis .....but the date clashes with Dee's second XC outing or .... possibly Hannah moody??? If anyone's had lessons with Hannah I'd be interested too!
 
Honey08 said:
I am waiting for comments on this thread with interest. I don't know the other lady, but the name of Cherry Elvin strikes fear into my heart even after 25 years! I did my AI while she was at Newark Tech and Brackenhurst. A month before my stage 3 she made me feel like the most useless person ever, totally slammed my confidence, and if I hadn't had a trip home and a good long chat with my regular home instructor, I don't think would have picked myself back up! Depends what type of teacher you react to, I prefer more gentle style, but others are better with someone who chases them..
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Any chance she may have mellowed? :eek:
 
I havent trained with either of the judges mentioned, but i have been judged by both of them, and i have found both of them to be very fair, good judges. I have been judged by Steph Cooper more than i have by Cherry Elvin, so my preference might be for Steph, but only because i feel i know her opinion more.
 
Cherry was the examiner for my exams and couldn't have been nicer, she was very encouraging and understanding of my bad attack of nerves. When I met her later she was lovely. I haven't had a lesson, but have heard nothing but good about Hannah Moody. :)
 
Gamebird said:
Any chance she may have mellowed? :eek:
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Lo, you never know. Shes certainly got decades of teaching experience to share.. If I met her now as a 40 something rather than a teenager I may get quite a different impression! Could have been me!:o I'm sure she wouldn't just wade in like a dragon anyway!
 
I am going to a test riding clinic with Steph next week, im really looking forward to it!

Have any of you done one before? Do you just go in and do your test then talk through it afterwards, or do you talk then do the test then work on it?

Ive never done one before!
 
Honey08 said:
Lo, you never know. Shes certainly got decades of teaching experience to share.. If I met her now as a 40 something rather than a teenager I may get quite a different impression! Could have been me!:o I'm sure she wouldn't just wade in like a dragon anyway!
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Honey08 your comments really made me smile (other than the bit about you being really upset obviously!). Cherry was my instructor at Newark too (I think I was probably the year ahead of you as I did a year at Newark EC, then a year at Poskitts - the whole course moved to Brack the year after I qualified) and had lessons from her every week for 2 years (ridden, practical and theory!). Gamebird texted me earlier to ask what I thought of her and my comments were very similar to yours!

I have to say, I do have the utmost respect for her, and I think the discipline I have in my riding now stems from her. She's definitely not for the timid though and as snotty teenagers we were definitely *****-scared of her!!

I'd say she's very 'traditional' (BHS) and doesn't take any prisoners. You'd also need to develop a pretty thick skin rather quickly.

She judges me regularly now, and I also see her from time to time at Elms Farm. Never have plucked up the courage to remind her who I am (I don't *think* she recognises me but you never know, she's probably sitting in her car, tutting, and telling the writer how she knew I'd never amount to much!!).

Don't know Steph Cooper, so can't comment I'm afraid
 
meardsall_millie said:
Honey08 your comments really made me smile (other than the bit about you being really upset obviously!). Cherry was my instructor at Newark too (I think I was probably the year ahead of you as I did a year at Newark EC, then a year at Poskitts - the whole course moved to Brack the year after I qualified) and had lessons from her every week for 2 years (ridden, practical and theory!). Gamebird texted me earlier to ask what I thought of her and my comments were very similar to yours!

I have to say, I do have the utmost respect for her, and I think the discipline I have in my riding now stems from her. She's definitely not for the timid though and as snotty teenagers we were definitely *****-scared of her!!

I'd say she's very 'traditional' (BHS) and doesn't take any prisoners. You'd also need to develop a pretty thick skin rather quickly.

She judges me regularly now, and I also see her from time to time at Elms Farm. Never have plucked up the courage to remind her who I am (I don't *think* she recognises me but you never know, she's probably sitting in her car, tutting, and telling the writer how she knew I'd never amount to much!!).

Don't know Steph Cooper, so can't comment I'm afraid
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Yes, sounds as though you were a year ahead of me. I did a year at Poskitts and then the opening year of Brack. We may well have crossed paths, although you never spoke to second years!!
 
Honey08 said:
Yes, sounds as though you were a year ahead of me. I did a year at Poskitts and then the opening year of Brack. We may well have crossed paths, although you never spoke to second years!!
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Oh no, and second years would definitely never have lowered themselves to talk to a first year - unless it was to shout at them! ;)

We would have overlapped - small world eh?!
 
I actually did speak to a few second years, I was 18 when I went and already had my stage 2, so for a few months I was actually ahead of the second years, so I was a bit smug! It is a small world. Are you still in that area? I have a friend down there still. I went back to Brack for the first time last year for a Mary King demo and couldn't believe how it had grown. Cherry was there too, but I was too scared to say hello!! Funny how some people take you right back to being a nervous kid again!

ps. Sorry Gamebird for taking over your thread with a memory trip!
 
Honey08 said:
ps. Sorry Gamebird for taking over your thread with a memory trip!
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No worries, all the replies make me look popular!:D

Have sent a cheque off for the Cherry one as it's closer and the date suits marginally better. Who'd have thought you'd need brave pants for dressage? :eek:
 
Yes I've actually moved closer! I was near Nottingham and am now near Newark. Poskitts has closed and is now an industrial estate :(, Newark EC is privately owned. Brack is a brilliant facility, I go there for my dressage lessons.

As I said, I see Cherry around and about but can't pluck up courage to see if she remembers me.

PM me your friend's name - I might know her!

(Sorry GB!)
 
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Gamebird said:
No worries, all the replies make me look popular!:D

Have sent a cheque off for the Cherry one as it's closer and the date suits marginally better. Who'd have thought you'd need brave pants for dressage? :eek:
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Ohh good, glad you chose Cherry, you have to do a report after all this!

MM have sent a pm.
 
been judged by both and find them both firm but fair, wont give marks away AT ALL but just as quick to point out improvments and nice moments.

have spoken to Cherry a fair bit after classes and always found her very nice, not scary at all, but then i dont scare easily lol.
 
Horsemad12 said:
When is it and where?
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Steph Cooper is at Vale View on the 2nd of Aug and 9th of Sept and Cherry Elvin is at Elms Farm on the 3rd of Aug.

I particularly like the bit on the info sheet which said:
'Cherry is happy to give test riding techniques to any level of horse and rider combination, including event riders' :D
 
I can recommend Steph very highly. She gives you her opinion from a judge's viewpoint and then works with you and your horse to achieve higher marks. I have had lessons with her and also sit in to watch others ride, including a friend who I owned horses with. She will tell you want she thinks rather than what she thinks you want to hear!
 
Gamebird said:
Steph Cooper is at Vale View on the 2nd of Aug and 9th of Sept and Cherry Elvin is at Elms Farm on the 3rd of Aug.

I particularly like the bit on the info sheet which said:
'Cherry is happy to give test riding techniques to any level of horse and rider combination, including event riders' :D
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I'm writing for Steph Cooper at Vale View on 2nd Aug between 4.40pm and 6.45pm. Looking forward to it.
 
I know they do the same at Laughton Manor but change around between Alison Woulds, Claire Llewelyn and Julie Corrigan. Haven't been to their ride a test days but have Alison for lessons at home and would recommend her.
 
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