Group Lesson tonight - nervous!

Birker2020

Birker2020

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 October 2008
Messages
23,595
Visit site
Well I have a group lesson tonight at my local riding club. I am a bit nervous as its been many years since I have had a lesson and even longer since I've had a group lesson. I don't think its because I am a too good a rider that I don't have lessons - definitely not!! Its because I'd rather go out and compete, I enjoy that much more and can't afford to do both so I have always put lessons on the back burner in preference to going out competing SJ and dressage.

My boy is fit and looking really well, his fly bite that he had on Sunday morning has gone right down and I managed to ride him last night for a 20 minute hack around the block and his fly bite was fine. This lesson has been booked by O/H who has kindly said he will pay for it, bless him. We are up to jumping on our rehab programme now, the vet is delighted with his progress to date and for the past three weeks have been jumping small cross poles and the odd upright at about 2ft - 2ft 3 on about five separate occasions hiring the school at the venue I am going to tonight. I don't anticipate jumping tonight but if they do jump I will just pop a couple which is all that I have been doing anyway.

I am very nervous - my position looks poor because I will be riding in my event saddle and I am conscious that my legs are forwards rather a lot. Because I have put on weight I don't feel very confident either at the moment but I am sure we will be okay.

Any tips for a nervous person encountering their first group lesson for ten years!? :eek:
 
Don't feel nervous - group lessons are normally grouped with people around the same level and ability as you and normally end up being really encouraging for everyone in the group!

Focus on yourself, your horse and having fun!! Enjoy :)
 
The horse flies at Solihull riding club are the only things to be nervous of. We did baby dressage there last night with Little Alice and it was a nightmare.
 
Good luck with your lesson, I am sure you will be absolutely fine. I doubt that once you are there you will care what anyone thinks and will just get on with your lesson.

I am interested to know what level you compete at dressage where you don't have regular lessons. I am only asking as I am currently trying my hand at Prelim having done Intro after years of being a happy hacker and not having any lessons what so ever. Lol.

I find that I am learning so much with each lesson, which means my dressage scores improve every time I have an outing.

You are probably far more advanced than me though and know what you are doing, whereas I don't.
 
Mahoganybay said:
I am interested to know what level you compete at dressage where you don't have regular lessons. I am only asking as I am currently trying my hand at Prelim having done Intro after years of being a happy hacker and not having any lessons what so ever. Lol.
Click to expand...

I have never had regular lessons, only the odd one, probably about ten in the twelve years I've had Bailey. We have competed on quite a few occasions at unaffiliated Elementary level and we have had some decent placing's at times, but mainly used to do Novice level. I am lucky because when he puts his mind to it he moves very nicely, he has got really nice paces being a WB and can be quite floaty at times, and having four white legs is a blessing!

I've also jumped up to BSJA Discovery on my previous horse and on my current one never had a jumping lesson on my previous horse either, but I'm probably not the most stylish rider! I just get on with it - not particularly bothered about what I look like.

This is us at Weston Lawns a couple of years ago https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ELFI_j7Yjk which is where I am aiming to get back to at a smaller height. Like I say not the most stylish and going a bit slow but having fun and going out and doing it which is all I've ever wanted to do with my horses.

I am not happy with the way I ride at the moment because I am very overweight (about three stone) but plan to get at least two shifted by mid September this year so hope I can ride a little more elegantly lol :)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top