Fanatical
Well-Known Member
Has anyone any experience of training with Tuffy Tilley? Good or bad?
Has anyone had lessons with Tuffy Tilley?
- Thread starter Fanatical
- Start date
SW3
Well-Known Member
Tough cookie (hence the name!), but knows her stuff alright! Quite old school in approach as comes from classic hunting background. Good i'd say!
B-B
Well-Known Member
Get your draw reins out
Fanatical
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the replies. Hmm...don't like the sound of the draw reins!! Thanks.
Hilly Billy
New User
Tough, fair and immensely knowledgeable. Hard work and commitment expected but results are fantastic. Best I've experienced on how to ride XC safely and intelligently. Bark worse than her bite. Hugely entertaining. WE LOVE HER!!!
LucyAlice21
New User
I was on Tuffy's Livery for four years, I'm sad people have put you off her. The woman really does have a heart of gold and was the best teacher I ever had. Even if I paid for an hour she would be there until I got it right. Always pays an interest in how you get on afterwards.
Understands horses like no other. Yes she is a strong woman and sometimes a little intimidating. However if you have a look at some of the successes she has at the minute Charlotte Parry Ashcroft who just won the Badminton Grass Roots and Laura Fisher who won a 2**. Plus many more.
Tuffy was one of the most knowledgable people I know. Yes she likes draw reins, but NEVER while you are riding. Its on the lunge to encourage them to let go. They are never tight. She will teach you so much! So after all these years hope I can convince you!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=553720054650985
Lucy
I
Understands horses like no other. Yes she is a strong woman and sometimes a little intimidating. However if you have a look at some of the successes she has at the minute Charlotte Parry Ashcroft who just won the Badminton Grass Roots and Laura Fisher who won a 2**. Plus many more.
Tuffy was one of the most knowledgable people I know. Yes she likes draw reins, but NEVER while you are riding. Its on the lunge to encourage them to let go. They are never tight. She will teach you so much! So after all these years hope I can convince you!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=553720054650985
Lucy
I
B-B
Well-Known Member
Im sorry but you are wrong on both points...
Book a lesson for your own evaluation.
Book a lesson for your own evaluation.
LucyAlice21
New User
Sorry, Wrong on which points?
B-B
Well-Known Member
They are ridden in and are tight!
LucyAlice21
New User
Having had four years experience of having my horse on her yard where she lived and trained also having 2 lessons a month, I did not have one experience of her putting draw reins on while riding. She always insinsisted it was potentially dangerous. I didn't see her to it to anyone else either.
I used to sit and watch her train (as she was amazing) and she used to lunge on LOOSE draw reins so that as soon as they began to lean on their bit it encouraged them to let through the back, loosenig all their neck and sometimes they were so relaxed their head was nearly touching their knees! That would be Impossible for a horse to relax if the draw reins are too tight.
I think your wrong on both points sorry!
I used to sit and watch her train (as she was amazing) and she used to lunge on LOOSE draw reins so that as soon as they began to lean on their bit it encouraged them to let through the back, loosenig all their neck and sometimes they were so relaxed their head was nearly touching their knees! That would be Impossible for a horse to relax if the draw reins are too tight.
I think your wrong on both points sorry!
Hilly Billy
New User
B-B - Tuffy is clearly not for you. The Grass Roots XC footage (thanks Lucy) was a text book run and a joy to watch. Over 185 likes, 142 shares and numerous praising comments bears testament to this successful partnership between horse and rider, and rider and trainer. We all know that this success does not come easy and demands enormous commitment, patience and understanding from all parties concerned. And as a trainer, Tuffy would have been 100% behind this combination helping them through the ups and downs on the way.
Tuffy has, as Lucy says, a "heart of gold". She is an enormous character and if you are prepared to listen and put everything in to her lessons/clinics, you will reap the rewards. She has clients from all over the UK - Edinburgh, Leeds and Beaulieu to name but a few. Not bad from someone based in North Wales!
From first hand experience, I have seen my niece progress from Pony Club to Advanced eventing under her guiding - and more importantly safe - hands! And not just on the one horse.
The loyalty and successes from Tuffy's clients speak volumes. I am sorry she did not work for you. I wish you every success and hope you are able to build up the same rapport with your trainer as so many have done (and continue to do) with Tuffy.
Tuffy has, as Lucy says, a "heart of gold". She is an enormous character and if you are prepared to listen and put everything in to her lessons/clinics, you will reap the rewards. She has clients from all over the UK - Edinburgh, Leeds and Beaulieu to name but a few. Not bad from someone based in North Wales!
From first hand experience, I have seen my niece progress from Pony Club to Advanced eventing under her guiding - and more importantly safe - hands! And not just on the one horse.
The loyalty and successes from Tuffy's clients speak volumes. I am sorry she did not work for you. I wish you every success and hope you are able to build up the same rapport with your trainer as so many have done (and continue to do) with Tuffy.
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BBH
Well-Known Member
B-B
Well-Known Member
Huge assumption made on your part.
I would rather deal with facts.
Many roads to Rome but better to be honest and not mislead those still finding theirs!
I would rather deal with facts.
Many roads to Rome but better to be honest and not mislead those still finding theirs!
Hilly Billy
New User
Yes couldn't agree more! Good luck!
B-B
Well-Known Member
Good Luck?
LucyAlice21
New User
I was certainly not trying to mislead was trying to correct something that perhaps had been misheard as I really didn't want anyone to judge Tuffy from the comment about draw reins that was all.
So good luck for the future!
So good luck for the future!
CaleruxShearer
Well-Known Member
I've only ever heard people say very good things about her, an ex bought an absolutely super young horse from her a few years ago which had been beautifully produced. I would love to have some lessons with her, just sadly a bit far away! ETA: The best thing to do is go and find out for yourself, I've had a lot of help on the flat from Ian Woodhead and over fences from Richard Waygood, both are known to be quite tough people to train with and people said to me that they didn't think I would get on with one or the other but personally I find them brilliant. Its all personal choice, horses for courses!
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M Uppett
New User
I find it "Amazing" that you have such a strong opinion on Tuffy and the way she teaches when you have never had a lesson for yourself?????
Tuffy is a VERY experienced rider & trainer, yes she will lunge in drew reins if she thinks the horse requires this but she doesn't ride or ask any clients to ride in them, horses need to be trained in a clear and correct mannor to which Tuffy does 100%, you only have to look at the results that her clients are getting to prove this, dressage scores that are being produced from clients of Tuffys do not come from holding a horse in drew reins the horses simply go in a correct and balanced outline and most importantly in self-carriage how they are trained by Tuffy!!!
Tuffy is a VERY experienced rider & trainer, yes she will lunge in drew reins if she thinks the horse requires this but she doesn't ride or ask any clients to ride in them, horses need to be trained in a clear and correct mannor to which Tuffy does 100%, you only have to look at the results that her clients are getting to prove this, dressage scores that are being produced from clients of Tuffys do not come from holding a horse in drew reins the horses simply go in a correct and balanced outline and most importantly in self-carriage how they are trained by Tuffy!!!
B-B
Well-Known Member
To cover up the methods used suggests there is something to hide....
The truth is easy to find out...just book a lesson...an expensive way to find out...
The truth is easy to find out...just book a lesson...an expensive way to find out...
JustKickOn
Well-Known Member
Never heard of the woman so ready the thread with interest.
B-B, why don't you just say what you have to rather than being cryptic?? You clearly have a bone to pick.
It seems though she has far more positive responses that that of the negative.
B-B, why don't you just say what you have to rather than being cryptic?? You clearly have a bone to pick.
It seems though she has far more positive responses that that of the negative.
B-B
Well-Known Member
Nobody is being cryptic or had a bone to pick....
There are those who know and agree but don't want to be jumped all over on this forum....
No hiding the truth...just book a lesson
There are those who know and agree but don't want to be jumped all over on this forum....
No hiding the truth...just book a lesson
TableDancer
Well-Known Member
Tuffy trains one of miniTD's co-reserves for the GB Pony team last year. This child rides with feel and sympathy, and the pony, while not gifted on the flat, was correct and a "happy athlete". Hard to connect with the image B-B is promoting of the training methods...
laura-c
Well-Known Member
In my experience, no instructors and trainers are for 'everyone'.
Unless you try them out for yourself you will never know if you get on with the way different people teach and their different methods.
I used to absolutely love the trainer I had with my old mare, she really knew how to get the best out of her and had her going the best she had ever gone. I once had a joint lesson with my best friend and her horse... she absolutely couldn't stand her and came back to the yard slagging her off something rotten!
Horses for courses I find
Unless you try them out for yourself you will never know if you get on with the way different people teach and their different methods.
I used to absolutely love the trainer I had with my old mare, she really knew how to get the best out of her and had her going the best she had ever gone. I once had a joint lesson with my best friend and her horse... she absolutely couldn't stand her and came back to the yard slagging her off something rotten!
Horses for courses I find
M Uppett
New User
I would hate to read when you are being crytical............ Tuffy can prove to ANYONE that her methods of teaching get the results, she is a very focused instructor who in my opinion wants results more than the riders on occassions, can I ask who you are trained by as I would love to book a lesson as you must get the results you want, can I ask what you do with your horse, event etc? As I am always happy to take advise from other people but I would like to see who they train with and what type of results they get.
I know the girl who rode the grassroots winner VERY well, she has been trained by Tuffy from the age of 5, that little girl would not jump a fence that Tuffy would not jump on her feet first so speaking from my experience with Tuffy she is "A 1" where teaching is concerned!!!
I know the girl who rode the grassroots winner VERY well, she has been trained by Tuffy from the age of 5, that little girl would not jump a fence that Tuffy would not jump on her feet first so speaking from my experience with Tuffy she is "A 1" where teaching is concerned!!!
JFTDWS
Well-Known Member
I'm impressed. I couldn't jump the Badminton grass roots fences on foot
(Never heard of her, so my only contribution to this thread is daft, sorry!)
B-B
Well-Known Member
You have your opinion and I have mine.
If the op thinks Tuffy is the way to go...then great!
Draw reins are ridden in there and if thats how she gets great results then why try to defend?
If the op will soon find out...
It's about choice
If the op thinks Tuffy is the way to go...then great!
Draw reins are ridden in there and if thats how she gets great results then why try to defend?
If the op will soon find out...
It's about choice
9tails
Well-Known Member
New people joining to big up Tuffy?
pigsmight:)
Well-Known Member
I am always surprised how so many threads on this forum lead to draw reins!, before I came on here I had no idea that they could cause so much drama. I am not the most experienced person on here, I think I would be happy with a top 150 ranking well anyway my point is that this trainer has proved over and over again that they are very capable of producing horses and riders, with horses we all know that there are many ways of getting results some we like and some we don't. I believe there are bigger things to worry about than a set of draw reins.
well anyway my point is that this trainer has proved over and over again that they are very capable of producing horses and riders, with horses we all know that there are many ways of getting results some we like and some we don't. I believe there are bigger things to worry about than a set of draw reins.B-B
Well-Known Member
The OPs choice surely?
M Uppett
New User
If u r a dressage judge like it states can I ask if you teach as I would love a lesson?