How do you choose the right instructor? (Essex/Suffolk ppl!!)

bonbeau

bonbeau

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Hi,

I'm just starting lessons and wondering how to go about finding the right instructor. I've had my mare for 5 years and we've only ever hacked and schooled/jumped at home. I now want to crack on and get her out this summer so starting to have some regular lessons. I've seen details for a few instructors and had a few recommendations but I'm finding it hard to decide who to go with!

Would you try out a few different ones and see who you get on with best? Or do you think it's best to stick with 1 person?

I had Alex Bull out last week, lesson went well I thought he was good though I have nothing to compare to as I havent had an instructor in about 10yrs!

General advice appreciated or if you know of instuctors in the Essex/Suffolk area please recommend!

Thanks
 
hi,

it can be quite tricky to find the right instructor. I would suggest maybe trying a few then going with the one you felt helped you the most. Sometimes it helps to get recommendations - do you have any horsey friends in the area? Also if you can watch some lessons that is useful to help decide if they are the instructor for you or not. Or maybe try a few clinics which will get you out and about and expose you to different instructors?

Good luck :-)
 
Hi, you could try joining a riding club as this will give you access to try different instructors at reduced prices. Also decide if there is a particular discipline you are keen on and narrow down potential instructors, or Google/hh search any names you have.
 
Its soo hard finding an instructor, especially one which you can gel with and make a real improvement with!

Whereabouts in essex/sufflok are you? I can highly reccomend Shelley Brooks. I've been having lessons with her the past few months and shes making a real difference! Depends what discipline you want to focus on also? Shelley is registered BD but I think she used to event and is happy teaching jumping as well as flatwork. She is a very calm instructor (not a shouty type!) and good at improving confidence I have found as she's very encouraging when you need it, but also is not affraid to say where it is going wrong and what you need to do to change things. I've had far too many instructors in the past who just don't give enough actual instuction and I never improved!

Good suggestion to watch other people have lessons and see if you like someones style of teaching. Happy if you wanted to watch me if you promise not to laugh at the numpty rider :rolleyes:
 
Thank you!
A lot of the horsey people I know are generally happy hackers so I wouldn't really have the chance to watch anyone.
I have booked to have a lesson tomorrow with another instructor and I have also had a recommendation for Laura King so I may try her if she will come out to me, I'm between Halstead and Sudbury just on the border.
I am going to a jumping clinic at Broomfields Farm in a few weeks, I hadn't thought about joining a riding club but that sounds as though it could be a good idea :)
Holzrokz - where is Shelley Brooks based? thanks for the offer to watch :)
 
I was wondering exactly the same. This morning i have fired off some emails to some instructors from bhs website. I'm in Cambs tho!
 
I like the suggestion of joining a riding club - then you can get all sorts of clinics and discounts and recommendations. High Fen RC is close for you.
 
Would really recommend Laura King. She is a brilliant instructor, very knowledgeable and patient and a brilliant rider too. I have come on in leaps and bounds since she has started teaching me.
 
Thank you!
A lot of the horsey people I know are generally happy hackers so I wouldn't really have the chance to watch anyone.
I have booked to have a lesson tomorrow with another instructor and I have also had a recommendation for Laura King so I may try her if she will come out to me, I'm between Halstead and Sudbury just on the border.
I am going to a jumping clinic at Broomfields Farm in a few weeks, I hadn't thought about joining a riding club but that sounds as though it could be a good idea
Holzrokz - where is Shelley Brooks based? thanks for the offer to watch
She's based in billericay so probably a bit too far for you, but good luck finding an instructor, the offers still there if you wanted to come and watch just to see what kind of instructor you like though :)
 
Depending on where you are would also add to the Laura King reccommedations. She has been teaching my daughter for the last couple of months and is fantastic. Very calm and really knowledgeable, and able to explain things in a way that is easy to understand. Even manages to make my chatterbox of a daughter actually concentrate, I have been really impressed.
 
Braintree riding club and colne valley riding club are both local too. Think there is one called by finchingfield too. Boyton hall prob not too far from you and they have several different instructors go there.
 
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