CDJ withdrawn from paris

[Cragrat]

I have been following this thread, in quiet disblief, despair, and also confusion.

I am at the very (VERY) lower levels of dressage. I had ONE trainer many years ago I stopped going to because she was keen on repetitive 20m circles, and a bit af a 'drilling' approach (she was and is successful herself). Since then, every trainer (bar one who I also didn't return to) has emphasised leg into soft hands, using the reins very minimally, not worrying about head position/outline but instead concentrating on the hind legs and working over the back etc. I have been encouraged to develop softness, harmony, self carrriage. One of my trainers is a judge. Yes I am choosey about who I have lessons with or go to clinics with, but where is all this rubbish training at higher levels coming from?

 

[eahotson]

Finding a GOOD trainer is genuinely difficult. There are many that advertise themselves as such but few that are.I had a recent one, BHSII who was very poor .Found another one recently who has proved excellent. Find you have to kiss a few frogs before you find your prince/princess.

 

[Rowreach]

You also have to be receptive to it and understand that proper coaching will involve time and commitment from you the rider, probably doing a lot of "boring" stuff that makes you feel like you're not getting anywhere in between the occasional eureka moment. Most riders want results within a 45 minute lesson and that's what most coaches attempt to give them because otherwise riders go elsewhere.

Speaking as someone who gave up coaching because ⬆⬆⬆⬆

 

[Patterdale]

You also have to be receptive to it and understand that proper coaching will involve time and commitment from you the rider, probably doing a lot of "boring" stuff that makes you feel like you're not getting anywhere in between the occasional eureka moment. Most riders want results within a 45 minute lesson and that's what most coaches attempt to give them because otherwise riders go elsewhere.

Speaking as someone who gave up coaching because ⬆⬆⬆⬆

I remember when a top trainer 25 years ago took me on. I was eventing at pre novice and pretty good (I thought).

She didn’t let me out of walk for the first few lessons. I was not at all happy, but I’m stubborn so stuck with it. But then people did more in those days.

She put my strong horse in a snaffle. I said I wouldn’t be able to hold him. She said well you’ll need to learn not to need to hold him then.

Gradually she taught me to recognise and removed my bad habits. By the time I moved away and had to stop training with her….i really WAS good!
But that was a long time ago and I’m not now

But even 20 odd years ago, and even completely behind closed doors - she NEVER pushed my horse to make him unhappy, never needed to chase him with a stick, never called him names or said he was naughty. It was always positive.

 

[eahotson]

You also have to be receptive to it and understand that proper coaching will involve time and commitment from you the rider, probably doing a lot of "boring" stuff that makes you feel like you're not getting anywhere in between the occasional eureka moment. Most riders want results within a 45 minute lesson and that's what most coaches attempt to give them because otherwise riders go elsewhere.

Speaking as someone who gave up coaching because ⬆⬆⬆⬆

Fair enough and I can be patient but some coaches can be poor and in my case I noticed that my mare,normally very tolerant really did dislike her.

 

[Rowreach]

Fair enough and I can be patient but some coaches can be poor and in my case I noticed that my mare,normally very tolerant really did dislike her.

Did I not just say that a lot of coaches are indeed poor?

 

[suestowford]

Fair enough and I can be patient but some coaches can be poor and in my case I noticed that my mare,normally very tolerant really did dislike her.

I would always trust any of my pets' opinions of other people! If the dogs don't like someone, or the ponies, or the cats, then I don't, usually. They're very good judges of people IMO.