Chris O'brien?? Any one heard of him?

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coen

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Just wondering if anyone has heard of Chris O'brien or if anyone has had experience with him?

I am not sure if he is an instructor but he is supposedly a very capable professional rider.
I think he showjumps?

Basically a knowledgeable person recommended I get him out to ride my horse. My horse is lovely and most of the time he is great but on occasion his attitude gets the better of us and he goes into one big time. I had a dressage lesson last night which was obviously a prime opportunity to embarrass me.
When this happens I have to sit it out as I wouldn't be capable enough to challenge him then, so thought it may be worth seeing how he would react if someone a lot better then me did try to put him in his place when this happened.

Any info appreciated.

Thanks
 
Yes but not much info comes up, mainly results listings from shows and a video clip of him riding a showjumping round.
 
Do you like his style on the vid? If so and he isn't too expensive id take the risk and get in touch with him. You can always ask him to get off if you don't like his methods.
 
He is based near me. I haven't worked with him but know of a horse he has jumped for its owner. Feedback was that he is a very capable, strong rider, not phased by anything. I don't know if he teaches as well.

Do you think you might benefit more from finding someone to work with you and your horse, rather than paying for someone you think is "more capable" to ride him? There is every possibility that your horse may not even try to test a stronger rider. A more rewarding path in the longer term would be for you to develop a deeper understanding with your horse and build a partnership with help from someone who works with the two of you and may be prepared to ride your horse first / hop on in difficult phases.
 
Hi Suziq77, thanks for the feedback.
I suspect he will test any rider when he is in that type of mood. And you are right I certainly don't need someone else to just come and ride him for me, I am quite happy riding him myself most of the time, what I am looking for is someone who isn't fazed by his antics to have a sit on him, get to know him and see what works when he has a strop, then advise me on different techniques to try. No one else I know is a strong enough rider to battle it out with him.
I usually get through them strops by sitting it out patiently and being persistent, he has improved hugely but people have suggested he needs a firm telling off when he does it so I thought it may be worth a try.

That being said I adore the horse and certainly wouldn't want someone to be unnecessarily rough with him that's why I wanted to see if anyone knew of him, recommendations are usually the best way.
 
That makes sense. I didn't see him ride the horse I mentioned. She's not an easy mare but her owner seemed pleased with how she'd gone for him. That's about as much as I can usefully add I think.

Good luck with your horse :)
 
Well isn't he??
This is the point in posting, I don't know any back ground information on this guy which is why I am asking, so if you do have any info to share on him please do so. Feel free to pm if you prefer.
To be honest I am not totally convinced I need any help with him but thought it best to explore the option. Certainly want do so if not confident in the person.
 
coen said:
Well isn't he??
This is the point in posting, I don't know any back ground information on this guy which is why I am asking, so if you do have any info to share on him please do so. Feel free to pm if you prefer.
To be honest I am not totally convinced I need any help with him but thought it best to explore the option. Certainly want do so if not confident in the person.
Click to expand...

not really not what i would call a professional ... he rides a couple of horses for his father and has trained at David McPhersons!!

What do you need done with the horse?? I can suggest people in that area either a lady or a man??
 
Arhh I see. Well I suspect the recommendation may have come from David as I think my yard owner is a friend of his. I take it you aren't a fan of him either? Apologies for my ignorance I am afraid I haven't had much experience of these people.
My horse is a 16.1 hostein gelding who does have a fair amount of attitude, when it manifests itself it tends to be in the form of nappy strop mainly rearing but will leap buck then rear if he is being sent forward strongly.
I suppose the aim would be for someone else to get the measure of him and see if they were more successful than I at nipping the strops in the bud, and if so advising me on the best way of stopping it (eventually entirely).
It doesn't matter to me whether it is a man or woman, but there attitude does, if I were to let someone else on him they would need to be knowledgeable and firm but fair.
Just like to add he isn't like that every day :)
 
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