how many of you have had a lesson with a top instructor and whom?

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Pidge

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As title really? follows on from my previous post about schooling. The thought of booking a lesson with a top instructor fills me with dread and would they just think "whose that silly girl who can't ride" surely?
Do you have to be a certain standard to have a lesson or can anyone do it?
 
Are you a member of a RC? If so do they arrange instructor clinics. I have had a few from various people, some I just booked others I know and some through my RC.
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Yes but they don't do this sort of thing
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Just wondering whether it would be worth looking into or am I too crap to have a go?
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I had a group jumping lesson with Ian Stark last March, It was arranged through my RC.
April and I had only just started jumping together and the novice height was only about 2'6
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It was the most helpful lesson I've ever had and gave me such a confidence boost. He's coming back and I've booked myself on the intermediate lesson so I can show him the difference (not that he will remember!). He might remember April as she was showing off like a lunatic and leaping into the air after the jumps like in my sig. He called her 'no fool like an old fool'
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Oh I didn't realise that! Well we're pretty close to Richard Davison, don't know who else is based in Staffordshire though?
 
I had a lesson with Chris White a few years ago, that was when I couldn't ride as well as now and was quite ineffective. I feel that I didn't benefit because I didn't know enough to take information away with me. I would have been better having a lower level instructor at that time. But giving him his due, he was happy to do it and not at all phased by me!

I have had a couple of sessions with Sylvia Loch, classical dressage doyenne, maestre, call her what you will, she was fabulous and I learned an awful lot. She can demonstrate from the ground, and put everything in to words, and see everything you are feeling and express it too. I was not that good, but she is fine with that.

Mind you she cost £100 a session at that time! about three years ago! aargh!

It all depends on the person. You need to find someone you relate to. I am sure the likes of Carl Hester would be great, if you can get hold of him, but is it really necessary until you get to somewhere just below his level? I don't think so (IMO).

I am just about to start searching myself, I bought a horse on Saturday. Now I want to start training again and I won't mind the level as long as the person is confident and right.

Also I don't want to pay above £30.
 
I had a XC lesson with Karen Dixon in the Spring at Cumwhinton XC course. There were 5 of us in the group af mainly the same ability but different levels of confidence and different challenges with our horses.
She was extremely understanding of our issues and pushed us sufficiently out of our comfort zone to allow us to progress. Fab, well recommended.

Our RC also has guest instructors now and again and we are grouped according to ability so that none of us feel like idiots!

The instructor, as a rule is there to instruct, it doesn't matter to them if you jump 6 inches high or 4 foot high, as long as you are there to improve or work on something, they are there to help. Just cos they are well known doesn't make them monsters!
 
I have had lessons with Ginny Leng, Nick Turner and loads with Tim Stockdale, Only thing I can say is that if they give you something to work on then make sure you do as they will be really disappointed and can tell if you have or haven't in between your lessons.
 
I had a lesson with Geoff Luckett earlier in the year. It was brilliant and I left feeling really confident and realising that actually I can do it all! You'll find that the majority of trainers will be happy to teach at any level
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Ive had a few yes, Richard Davison, John Lassetter, Sylvia Loch and Sonia Webster are the people ive mainly dealt with.

I dont think you should feel intimidated by them. Most trainers will happily teach at any level - of course, whether they necessarily have the time is a different thing.
 
Re Richard Davison, I was told once, byu a lady called Ruth Gibson (intermed I think) that he wouldn't teach the likes of me, you have to be competing somewhere around medium or thereabouts for him to take you on, maybe she was just saying that, so perhaps give him a call?

Anyhow, what level are you riding at? You could be a fabulous rider and just being coy???
 
Hmmm, i never found richard to be like that at all.

I was probably riding at about medium-ish when i had them but there were some areas of my riding that were disasterous and my horse just absolutly took the p*ss

We actually got talking after i went for a wow fitting there and he certainly never asked what level i was riding it when i booked my lessons.

INFACT, my horse was an absolute git during the fitting because he kept going mental at the noise of the flair being altered. So all in all... i probably far from gave a good impression
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He knew my horse already as we bought him off my long term trainer and she was with me at the fitting and new him from both her own lessons and from competing circles.
 
We've had lots of western lessons from Bob Mayhew, but he is used to beginners, people who are just curious, and wannabe cowboys! (plus sceptics like me who went thinking that riding English was better!) He's also been very helpful - and very frank! - when he's judged us at shows since. I've seen him teach some very talented riders and can't wait to get to that level.

Hubby also went to a clinic with Dave Dellin, who is a world champion western rider and who was un-fazed by our bucking, rearing stroppy madam!

I also had a show jumping lesson from Clare Hadley not long after she'd been appointed to the BSJA board. My fear wasn't helped by the fact that my little horse (which I was riding side saddle at the time!) was determined to jump everything at warp factor nine! She was very helpful tho.

Would love a lesson with someone like Carl Hester even tho current horsey is at the most basic level of dressage.

I think if the instructor can teach to your level, it can be an inspiring, incredibly valuable experience.
 
I saw his lecture/demo at the Scottish Equine Fair the other weekend and although he definitely knows his stuff and anyone would come out having learned something from a lesson, he came across as quite scary?
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Maybe it's just because the riders in the demo were regular working pupils/students of his, he was more familiar and ready to be a bit harsher than he would a new pupil? I just felt he'd be horrified at me and my horse and I'd feel useless!

I've had a SJ lesson with Andrew Hamilton who is fab, really friendly and fun but strict with it and makes you work hard. (3 laps of school in trot, no stirrups, for failing to stop between the parallel poles, ouch!
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) I'd really recommend him to anyone in Scotland. He's not scary!
 
lol yep mceeaw!

He doesn't hold back, but no more than your typical booming PC instructor
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I have a thick skin so didn't bother me and made me a lot tougher on April which is what she needed.

She loves jumping but used to stop at some fillers then she would have a strop and start refusing everything.
She did this on the lesson, he yelled and made me whip her round in a 4ft circle, smack her and jump it straight away.
It has CURED that problem, I know now that if she starts having her strop I can ride her through it and we are both loving it!

Our lesson was so much fun, we had a huge audience who were just laughing at him shouting at us
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Had lessons with a few, won a lesson with james fisher years ago, not that impressed, personality clash mainly just didnt like the bloke at all, he managed to make me feel useless (which maybe I was but it should have been fun!!!).

Best one to date with Geoff Billington without a doubt, he is friendly down to earth, not the most expensive and also had the balls to get on horse when it was mucking around, rather than bellow at me!!! - and sympathised with issue I was having - I prefer an instructor who will try themselves rather than "blame" you for doing something wrong!!

Having jumped him round the course, he gave me some pointers and was really really constructive, best lesson I had, in that I came away with lots!!
 
Yep have had lessons with a few different people....Gareth Hughes, Brook Staples, Richard Walker, Steph Cooper... just be honest about your ability
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It is then their decision whether to say yay or nay!!
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I trained with Rob Hoekstra for about 8 years on and off. Also went on a weeks BSJA training with John Roberts (owned and produced Warren Point for Michael Whitaker and was the British Pony Team Chef D'Equipe). Also trained with George Remmen (Norwegian International SJ'er) and Henk Minderman (Anglo European Studbook director and owner of Give Me Remus) for varying periods.

I was originally taught to ride by Francis Whittington's mum too
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I've been training with Andrew the last few years and he's really excellent. He can shout as much as Ian, I assure you!!
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I've never found Ian scary, but really helpful and constructive in our lessons. He makes you work really hard and you'll be exhausted at the end of a lesson. I've never seen someone fit so many jumps into an arena. Definitely value for money.

Talking of which, I'm swithering about having a lesson with Oli Towned next month. Anyone recommend him?
 
I have Lucy Thompson & can't rate her highly enough.
The improvement in me & my 2 boys has been great. I think she will teach all levels.
 
I have had a lesson with various international riders

I currently have lessons with Amy Watkins, who rode in the GB Under 21 team...she is over 21 now though and doing well in SJ.

Sometimes an upcoming rider is as good and cheaper than an international competition rider.

I have trained with the Lutters in Germany...which is why my riding is so, er, german!!!!
 
I had a lesson back in pony club with Karen Dixon.

Otherwise, I get regular training with Andrew H as well! He does take the piss sometimes but is very good
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, have a lesson with him on Tuesday. Otherwise, these 2 aren't "top" riders but I used to get regular training with Ernest Dillon (now he is possibly the scariest trainer ever! But jeez did he get me to ride!) and Andrew Bonelli Baird.
 
Eh had a group one with Graham Fletcher a few months back, have never wasted so much time and/or money in my life! He clearly didn't want to be there and did nothing at all for the whole hour just had us taking it in turns over a litle course, repeating 'easy, easy, easy' grrrr!!! There was no challenge to this at all and he had all the groups doing the same stuff and jumping the same heights. I am never bored on my horse especialy jumping but I was faling asleep. Was nice to have a day off work though!!
 
ihave weekly lessons with Caroline Moore, she competes at 4* level and has been selected for the world calss coaching team. i find her lessons very effective.

i had a lesson with Malcome Pirah once but i have to say i didn't rate him...
 
I used to work for Cameron Hanley (Irish Showjumper), so used to have lessons off him all the time.
Got to ride some really nice horses too which was a bonus!!!
 
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