Do you use more than one instructor?

[Fruitcake]

As the title, really.

Thinking of trying a lesson with another instructor but feel a little disloyal to my longstanding instructor.

 

[Trinket12]

I don't, but I would like to try a dressage lesson out of interest. My trainer is hunter/jumper, but I plan on being sneaky and waiting until she goes on her winter trip! Then as she's away there's no reason for her to get the hump that I had a lesson with someone else. Plus as it's a discipline that she doesn't teach, I hope she won't think I am leaving her (I'm not, just curious about dressage).

Sorry, that wasn't much help! Is there a reason you want to try a different instructor, like a discipline change?

 

[Rusty Rider]

Variety is the spice of life! It might take some time for your new instructor to get to know you and what makes you tick, but similarly they might spot stuff your usual instructor no longer notices / didn’t pick up on. I have one regular and others I only take lessons with once in a while, and find the change of approach very beneficial.

 

[tallyho!]

Hell yeah I’ve got about three. Discounting the clinics.

I choose a particular method, my instructors all know each other and I feel like I learn a lot that way. They all have something special to give.

 

[tallyho!]

It’s very interesting to think it’s disloyal as I used to think that but I see it a very different way now and I’m much happier.

 

[Rusty Rider]

I think as long as you’re open as to why your seeking someone else, and even ask your instructor for recommendations, it’s perfectly fine - especially if it is to get input on a discipline they don’t specialise in.

 

[J&S]

When I was a local RC member I would get instruction from various people plus a fab lady from the Talland who used to come once a month. Most people work on the same basics so it is just a constant build up of knowledge and putting it all into practice. Take advantage of all opportunities to learn.it all fits together in the long run.

 

[only_me]

Yep when was competing regularly had a regular eventing/jump and dressage trainer as well as specialist sj when required!

All very experienced and it’s very common for eventing to have more than one instructor. think I probably had a dressage lesson every 3-4 weeks and eventing/jump every 2 weeks or similar. Maybe once a week with event one during winter as it was an indoor lol whereas at home we’ve an outdoor 😜

It’s all very well having regular lessons but have them too close together and you won’t get the benefit as you need to do work on your homework between lessons!

 

[eggs]

Yes but I do tell my 'main' instructor that I am also having lessons with another trainer.

 

[milliepops]

Not really, I do occasional clinics with other people but otherwise stick to one. But I'm 100% happy with mine, so no reason to look elsewhere on a regular basis. If you aren't, then definitely give it a go

 

[Abi90]

I have a regular instructor but go to clinics as well and get different input, I think it’s beneficial to get different opinions then you can choose what works for you.

Too many instructors can be confusing though.

 

[Vodkagirly]

I use several.
I have an instructor that comes to me and I try and have weekly lesson with but often go to several others, my regular instructor will even suggest clinics that she thinks I would like . They all tell me the same things but in different ways,

 

[Melody Grey]

I've had multiple instructors in the past when I was eventing. I think they all bring different skills and different specialities and a different eye over the situation, so I think it's all helpful and to be expected....unless you've got Mark Todd, in whichever case stick with one!! 😂

 

[Littlebear]

I teach and regularly tell people others they should try aswell as other clinics etc it’s not disloyal at all its all the learning journey. I have a lot of experience but would never be so arrogant to think I know it all and there are no other ways or ideas!
Obviously if they get any crazy advice we will talk about it and normally I would say ok try this instead and see what you feel works best and we work through things together.

 

[JFTDWS]

It depends on what you're trying to achieve, but generally, many people would benefit from trying out other instructors from time to time - a fresh perspective, or a different emphasis can be really useful particularly if the instructors being used don't have extensive and diverse experience themselves.

 

[Carrottom]

Whilst I enjoy a lesson with different instructor I don't usually think I gain much from a one off session. I am usually concentrating so hard that when asked at the end "any questions" I can't form a coherent question then about 3 hours later I have loads. I need lots of repetition to remember things, just a bit thick I guess.

 

[J_sarahd]

I have only really had one instructor at a time (discounting the years I spent 'loaning' ponies and still riding at the riding school) and I really like my trainer, because she is from a show jumping background but has enough dressage knowledge to get us where we need to be at the moment. If I was to ever up the ante in dressage, or even if I ever event my pony properly to BE90+ (probably not going to because I'm a wimp) then I'd get a separate dressage instructor. I think the only reason I'd have more than one instructor is if they were more experienced in different disciplines.

 

[Muddywellies]

No I stick with one. I’ve had the odd one off lesson with other people and have just found they don’t work as they don’t know me or my horse. My trainer knows me inside out and knows which buttons to push to get the best out of me. Tho if I wasn’t happy with my trainer I would shop around till I found the right one. I had a couple of different ones before this one and I still feel guilty that I don’t have them anymore - one is a friend on FB so when I’ve had a lesson with current trainer, if I upload a FB post about it, I hide the post from old trainer as I still feel awkward (after two years!)

 

[canteron]

Yes - I get slightly different things from different people - my lovely regular instructor is fab - but sometimes I travel miles to see another lady, I find her inspirational and, although very similar classical instructors, she just explains things slightly differently which can help!
I am now really fussy who I use though, there are a lot of not very good instructors who will make you feel bad and at fault when the reality is they don’t have enough understanding of their subject to explain clearly!

 

[Fruitcake]

Thanks. That’s all interesting.

It’s not for a different discipline, just a different perspective I think. I really think a lot of my current instructor (personally too) and she knows me really well but I have a couple of ‘sticking points’ I might like to get another perspective on / help with...

 

[BOWS28]

I have two regular instructors. One teaches my dressage lessons weekly and the other is harder to get a lesson with so only see him one a month.

I don't see any problem with having more than one instructor. They often pick up on different things which is always helpful!

 

[HEM]

yep! I have 2. One I like to call the perfectionist and one the go getter.

The perfectionist will work with me until things are perfect (or as close as) which is sometimes tedious and means I can find myself doing sitting trot with no stirrups for a full lesson just to perfect my position once again but is a super workout and extremely beneficial.

The go getter gets me doing things I never thought I would do and really pushes me out my comfort zone.

I think they compliment each other well and I think both instructors would agree. It helps that they both know each other and get along well but I doubt any professional would have a problem with it as long as you are open about your reasoning. At the end of the day they are not loosing you as a client but if they act immature and unprofessionally they could find themselves to.

 

[SpringArising]

I did for a while but I've slowly transitioned to using just one 'full time'. I really respect them both, but I prefer the no-nonsense and 'just get on with it' attitude of the one I use now. I think there's 100% a place for the more softly softly approach, but I've progressed more with the latter as a result of not thinking and just doing!