Have you ever been taught by someone famous??

hi a friend has offered to by me a lesson with nigel taylor for my birthday as he is doing a combined xc/sj day at poplar park on the 2nd of october, would u recommend him for a youngster ??
 
Yorkshirelady - Sorry to hear that you had an awful lesson and glad Mary k was better :) x

Spinaltap - Awwww well done, you had two great lessons and both sound as if you had great fun :D x

Joseyjoe - Awwww well done on your successful lessons, sounds brilliant :D. So sorry to hear about your Pony being put down suddenly!! <<Hugs>> x

Suffolkhorse - Wow, what a nice friend you have. Sorry don't know answer to your question x
 
OK, I'm a bit late for this thread, but thought I'd add a couple of comments:

Many, many years ago, my friend and I had lessons at Ken Clawson's stables at Leire. At that time, Ken was about 18 years old (BHSAI), and we had some wonderful times hacking out, having lessons, attending riding club rallies, treasure hunts, a one-day event and a gymkhana. Happy days!

Later in my life, I was fortunate enough to have a private lesson with Ian Stark at his home in the border country near Selkirk. He and his wife were very kind and helpful. I remember feeling quite exhausted at the end of the lesson.

The only regret I have from that day, is that I did not take a photo of Ian riding my horse over a couple of his more 'advanced' X country fences, near the end of the tuition session. Oh, I could kick myself!
 
I'm another who has had a session with Yogi Breisner and wouldn't bother again. I have also had lessons in the past with:

Robert Pickles
Damian Hallam
Adam Kemp
Mark Todd
Blyth Tait
Paul Crago
Richard Waygood
Nick Turner
Graham Fletcher
Nigel Taylor
Matt Ryan

The best being Robert Pickles, Blyth Tait and Richard Waygood. Some of them I would never go back to!!
 
The only famous person I've had a lesson with is Jeanette Brakewell whilst at college. She had to do a certain amount of teaching there as they sponsored her at the time. So I got a lesson with her rather than a lesson with Eric Winter, which I think might have been better.

It was a decent lesson, I didn't learn a lot though. She watched us on the flat then over a couple poles then had us working on striding between poles. Which is all very well and good but it wasn't something I didn't know how to do. And also, I was riding a trekking horse! He was a lovely boy, had a lovely jump but he was stiff, enjoyed going round like a yak and falling in on circles. I didn't get time to work on this at all so when she complained about this I couldn't have done a lot about it!

I'd love a lesson with Mary King, but only once I had my own horse. Or I rode a schoolmaster, I don't think I'd get anything from it otherwise.
 
I have had lessons with a fair rew famous people, with varying levels of success. Some I would never go back to, others I would happily sell my granny to have more lessons with them! So far they are:

Jane Bartle-Wilson (worked for some horses better than others, but really changed the way I approach schooling, especially young horses)
Chris Bartle (Pretty much told me to kick on, and trust my horse XC, so again brilliant!)
Heidi Woodhead (Brillant, I have lessons every week!)
Francis Whittington (Brilliant)
J-P Sheffield (Brilliant)
Ken Clawson (Again fab, with several different horses!)
Lucinda Green (First clinc I had with her was brilliant, the other 2 wern't so good)
Caroline Moore (Nightmare, completely wrecked both horses and my confidence, took over a year to rebuild both our confidences)
Andrew Day (good, but was hampered by a horse that didn't 'do' dressage)
 
Saratoga may I ask what did you think to Damian Hallam? I bought my old gelding from him, who he'd broken and trained on (before he rode for the pidgley's) and he was always an "interesting" horse to ride!!

The only lesson's I've had were from Leslie Law and Islay Auty, both whilst at Hartpury college and only one of them on my own horse. The Leslie Law lesson I was a bit star struck and rode like a muppet - I also got the feeling that his heart wasn't in teaching a load of college students but he had to cause they sponsored him! Islay on the other hand was lovely and very complementary about my nutty TBxTrak, although I'm sure she said something along the lines of once he's matured etc - he was 17yrs old at the time!:rolleyes:

I also spent 6 weeks as a working pupil at David Pincus's yard (if he counts?!) It was equally the best and most terrifying 6 weeks of my life! :eek: David is certainly a hard task master and dosn't mince his words but at least when you final get any praise from him you know you have earnt it!!! It certainly helped me get to grips with my horse's super spooks and generally naughtiness!:o ( the same horse I bought from D. Hallam)
 
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Christopher Bartle - I loved, totally no nonsense approach & filled me with confidence
Lucinda Green - a clinic & our group wasn't very well matched so didn't get much out of it TBH
Michael Owen - Brilliant, lovely bloke & so encouraging.
Geoff Glazzard- a perfectionist, I would often just spend the whole lesson coming to the same 2 fences until I had the canter & jump perfect.
Derek morton- Like Geoff ;)
Phoebe Buckley- Absolutely AMAZING. I now have lessons regularly with her & I wouldn't consider anyone else. In one lesson she took me from crying with fear about a tiny crosspole to happily jumping a 2'9" grid. She is a fab horsewoman who can literally get a tune out of any horse & also a really good laugh!
 
I remember having a lesson or two with Molly Sivewright when I was very young; on the showing side Charles Le Moignan used to help us out at shows - good call! Now as a Western rider this year's learning highlights include a brief session with legend Al Dunning and Mike McEntire for reining.
 
Such an interesting post, couldn't resist...

Famous:

Tiny Clapham - amazing, has that elusive ability in a very short space of time to "see" and therefore understand the horse in front of her and act accordingly, different solutions for different horses. Very different to how I expected her, utterly charming and approachable.

Yogi - in the "love" of the marmite camp.

Currently high profile, not necessarily fitting into the "famous" shoes:

Charliemouse - you are not alone in NOT loving!!
 
I've been lucky enough to be trained by a few famous people over the years;

Lucinda and Clayton Fredericks - I was based with them for 3 months, both lovely people. Lucinda is fantastic with the dressage and Clayton with the jumping.

Graham Law - Worked for him a few years back, a nice guy and not a bad teacher but mostly drunk!

Sam Griffiths - Did a xc clinic with him on a particularly difficult horse, he was very sympathetic and did a great job helping the confidence for us both.

James Burtwell - I trained at Wellington Riding and was taught by him, good teacher but the most arrogant, rude and horrible person I have ever met. Had me in tears several times, used to swear at us all and be-little us in front of clients, I was 17 and absolutely petrified of him. I wouldn't touch him with a barge pole.
 
Willeeckers said:
Saratoga may I ask what did you think to Damian Hallam? I bought my old gelding from him, who he'd broken and trained on (before he rode for the pidgley's) and he was always an "interesting" horse to ride!!
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To be honest I felt like I was on a production line, one in one out. I don't think he even asked my name or my horse's name. I am sure he is different when someone goes regularly to him, but for me I wasn't inspired to go back. The actual lesson was ok, and I picked up a few things. But there just didn't seem to be the interest there, once my 45 mins was done I was out and the next one was in.
 
Another Arno Nessen fan here

He did a few 2 days clinics around 10 years ago over in Cheshire! Absolutely brilliant trainer! Got the best out of me and my horse. Helped that he fell in love with my warmblood too :) built my confidence up sky high and taught me to have trust in my horse
Wish i could have another session with him again!

Had one lesson with Keith Shore, good trainer on a difficult horse (seen him teach) but i didnt rate him for my 4 yr old at the time as he pushed us really hard for over an hour. Great value for money in terms of time etc, but i felt like we should have stopped the lesson 30 mins earlier.

Currently taught by Mark McCourt, great trainer, who has improved both me and my horse and rides for Lisa and John Hales
 
I've had a few and enjoyed most of them, but some were a little suspect!!

Damian Hallam (For 5 years)
Andrew Gould
Yogi Breisner
Dickie Waygood
Nigel Taylor
Nick Turner
Lucinda Green
Stephen Hadley
James Fisher
Pippa Funnell
Matt Ryan
Mary King
Frank Bourny
Jeanette Brakewell

There are a few i still have lessons with now frequently but some i could take or leave, i truly believe it depends on the horse you're riding and whether that trainer suits that horse.
 
Madhope said:
There are a few i still have lessons with now frequently but some i could take or leave, i truly believe it depends on the horse you're riding and whether that trainer suits that horse.
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Totally agree, and I have had trainers before who are fab with one horse but not another.
 
No-one that I would consider hugely famous but, as he has been mentioned several times, Robert Pickles was one of our instructors at University when I was on the team. We were lucky enough to ride at Wellington and he and Jeremy Michaels were our two regular instructors - both very good.

Would love lessons from: Ferdi Eilberg, Emile Faurie and Adam Kemp (who is my regular instructor's trainer).
 
I was out in Portugal for a week training with Nuno Andrade (rode and produced the Royal horse gala show with Luis Valenca- also dressage rider/trainer)

Next week im going back to Portugal but to train with Fillipa Valenca (Daughter of Luis Valenca- Classical dressage master of all time)

really interesting to hear about Andrew Gould too. Ive been debating about having a lesson with him, originally I wasnt so sure, because of all the him and Jordan drama it took over him actualy being a dressage rider.
 
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really interesting to hear about Andrew Gould too. Ive been debating about having a lesson with him, originally I wasnt so sure, because of all the him and Jordan drama it took over him actualy being a dressage rider.[/QUOTE]

I had a lesson with him a few years back before all the Jordan fuss. I must admit I would not have booked one if it were more recently because of the Katie price connection ( I personally cannot stand her!) I do feel it detracted from his standing a little, if what I was told recently is correct? he is now based at posh yard owned by her and I'm am sure he would disagree ;)

With tin hat and fire blanket at the ready I would like to point out Its JUST my opinion before I get shot down in flames or retreat from unfriendly fire lolol
 
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I've had lessons with David Trott, Stephen Clarke, Jenny LC and Lizzy Murray and all were good.

Far and away the best tho I think was Brian Hutton (Pammy's husband) who was fantastic, really pin pointed things which no one else has ever spotted, and really engaged in his teaching. It made up for the lesson I had with Pammys head teaching lady (Lisa i think?) which I thought was awful...!

I've been to Carl Hesters yard and seen him teach and would LOVE lessons with him... maybe one day!
 
KingfisherBlue said:
OK, I'm a bit late for this thread, but thought I'd add a couple of comments:

Many, many years ago, my friend and I had lessons at Ken Clawson's stables at Leire. At that time, Ken was about 18 years old (BHSAI), and we had some wonderful times hacking out, having lessons, attending riding club rallies, treasure hunts, a one-day event and a gymkhana. Happy days!
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My mum was taught by Ken!!! She now works at b&q and he came in for a kitchen the other day lol :) he remembered her
 
charlimouse said:
I have had lessons with a fair rew famous people, with varying levels of success. Some I would never go back to, others I would happily sell my granny to have more lessons with them! So far they are:

Jane Bartle-Wilson (worked for some horses better than others, but really changed the way I approach schooling, especially young horses)
Chris Bartle (Pretty much told me to kick on, and trust my horse XC, so again brilliant!)
Heidi Woodhead (Brillant, I have lessons every week!)
Francis Whittington (Brilliant)
J-P Sheffield (Brilliant)
Ken Clawson (Again fab, with several different horses!)
Lucinda Green (First clinc I had with her was brilliant, the other 2 wern't so good)
Caroline Moore (Nightmare, completely wrecked both horses and my confidence, took over a year to rebuild both our confidences)
Andrew Day (good, but was hampered by a horse that didn't 'do' dressage)
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Agree wholeheartedly on Caroline Moore. Absolutely dire. At the end of the clinic she pointed out in front of everyone that I really ought to consider riding my horse in a milder bit. I felt *that* big. Fair enough if I was in a gag or something but it was a jointed snaffle!!!! I had been listening carefully and bowing to her considerable experience until then but she just lost all credibility in my eyes.

Had an excellent lesson with Bill Levett once. Really took me out of my comfort zone and achieved great results.
 
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Stephen Hadley - awesome
Caroline Powell - good - made me jump scary fences!
David gatherer - ace
Andrew hamilton - fab for SJ

I'm keen to go to Ruth Edge next year so if anyone has had lessons? would be interested to hear - sorry too many pages to read back
 
I had a lesson with Pammy Hutton at Talland. I was a bit aprehensive when I saw all the impressive horses and very good riders in their massive indoor school, but Pammy was really nice, I rode one of their school masters and forund the experience very inspiring.
 
Have to agree with Charliemouse and Walker 1234 after a 15 min session that I had only agreed to to keep the piece with the ex, my daughter and her pony were a shattered partnership, took years to get them back on the right road. So regret trying 'to do the right thing'

Have had lessons with Stephen Hadley very much enjoyed them and gained alot of confidence.

OH used to work for Ken Clawson for 5 yrs so I still get the benefit of what he learnt there, in fact I must take up the year before lasts Christmas present and book a lesson with Ken:)
 
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