Dressage lessons - how often?

[XxCoriexX]

Morning ladies and gents!

I have decided that I need to start taking my dressage a little bit more seriously!! (not a crazy amount it is still all about the fun) However to do this I feel like I should start getting some lessons!
Do you think have a lesson once every two weeks is enough? It would give me time to go home and work on my exercises and then come back and try something new. I am more than happy to do 'homework' but just wasn't sure if I would be better having more lessons!
I know people that have two or three a week!

thanks

 

[LeannePip]

I would have a lesson every day if i could afford it! i love them, i generally have 2 a month and maybe another if i have some money spare!

I find it really helps when i have a problem or we are just looking to move forward a bit more, equally i find it helps just having some one on the floor, just reminding me about my rythm and my rogue right shoulder! I find it helps as i can tell them what i am feeling on top and they tell me what they see and it them makes me thing about what my instructor has said

 

[ahml100]

It is really down to personal preference! For example I normally have a dressage lesson once every two weeks and then a jump lesson once every two weeks. However, after hunting finishes I will have a dressage lesson every week and no jumping to calm everything down you can always start with 1 every two weeks then decide if you want more or not

 

[nato]

I have a dressage lesson once a month, and a jumping lesson once a month, as well as competing at least once a month. So I have something lined up for pretty much every weekend!

I will probably have a lesson more regularly in the summer when my instructor can come up in the evenings, and I can actually hear her as there's less wind

 

[mrsh2010]

I have one a month. Unless (1) I'm having a few problems or (2) funds / competitions allow

 

[Shoei]

I have just started with a really good BD dressage trainer, where I plan to do a lesson a month. I used to have a lesson a fortnight with an local eventer but I wanted more specialised training and find my new lessons more productive and she gives me plenty of homework. However, i don't really have the time to be out every weekend and take my horse out for lessons so this fits in with my timetable of taking him out twice a month. ( I try to use other venues as e is still quite green)

 

[Casey76]

I have a 1hr private every week, which is tough, but I love it - that way I know that both pony and I get a good work out at least one a week, as I definitely don't school as hard (be as demanding0 as what my lessons are

 

[MungoMadness]

I used to have them fortnightly, worked really well as it gave me time to work solidly on things and made my instructor happy as she could see a noticeable difference each session!

 

[star]

Try to have at least one a month, preferably 2 but can't always fit it all in with jump lessons and competing at well. I'd happily have my trainer there all the time if I could as difficult knowing what it looks like from the ground without mirrors or someone there especially with subtle things like being a bit close behind in the changes.

 

[NZJenny]

My instructor travels from the other end of the country and does monthly clinics, which I find is good. It gives me enough time in between to work on our "homework".

 

[kc100]

Its all down to how much you can afford really - of course you are going to improve faster if you are having more frequent lessons, but if you cant afford it then there is no point in stretching yourself financially just to have lessons. I used to have lessons once a month as I couldnt afford any more than that, but then I found a cheaper (but better) trainer and that meant I could have fortnightly lessons.

Any lessons are better than none - but dont forget that other aspects of the horses care are just as important as having lessons and are just as likely to help you improve on the flat - so that includes regular shoeing/trimming, making sure you are up to date with worming and vaccs, regular physio, having your horses back checked over, teeth checked regularly, saddle checked.....etc. So dont have extra lessons if it means you cant afford any of the other aspects of your horses care; once or twice a month is still better than nothing if that is all you can afford.

Yes some people are lucky enough to have loads of money and have lessons 2-3 times per week, but that doesnt necessarily mean they are going to have a better schooled horse than you or become a better rider; quality of your lessons is more important than quantity, and making sure you have a sound happy healthy horse in the first place is always going to give better results than having loads of lessons on a horse that actually hasnt had its saddle checked in 2 years.