How many of you.....

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piaffe

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who compete, DON'T have a trainer?

I have a trainer, but have not been to her since I have had V. I know I need to go, everyone needs someone on the ground to help/advise, but, if im totally honest, i cannot afford it.
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I find it difficult enough as a full time mum/student and keeping the horses to be able to go off for training as well. Its one of those things that I just keep putting off. I was going to go this month but I have so many outgoings that its just not possible. The most I have done is get my sister to video so i can watch it back and see what needs to be improved etc, but its not ideal.
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I think my atttitude is a little wrong, instead of first going to my trainer, i have now entered some BD. Part of me thinks I ought to just go, do it, improve using my test sheets, until i get my finances sorted whereas the other part is saying, cancel comps and get booked in with trainer....

Thoughts?
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It's cheaper to compete than have a lesson! Use your comments from your test as the basis of your home work, I'm sure you're more than capable of knowing what needs improving etc and with your sister videoing you can almost self teach yourself. Yes a lesson would be nice but you can only spend your money once!

Go and have some fun otherwise it just becomes a chore....
 
It is so difficult to afford it all. I try and alternate between a comp and a lesson but it is not always possible. Why not have a go BD, get a couple of tests under your belt and then book a lesson and show your instructor your test sheets - from reading those and seeing you ride she should have a very good idea of what to work on with you and you will get a lot more out of it. So whilst a lesson or two may have been useful before you went out - I don't think you are doing anything wrong by having a go on your own - at least you will know it was all down to you!! Good luck!
 
Thanks. Good idea. That why I like BD so much; for me its all about getting that test sheet at the end, hopefully seeing improvements and also seeing what needs to be done.
 
A trainer! Blimey no, cannot afford that!! I have useful friends for SJ training tho who can help from the ground and give me a kick up the bum when needed.
 
I totally know what you mean. I find it an additional expense. I try to have lessons when i can afford them with good trainers, I have known them for a long time (20+yrs) and I always keep in touch in between times, but they know that I have limited funds and are really good about it. My regular trainer always apologises for making me work so hard but she says its value for money if I get homework aswell!
 
I don't have a trainer however I sometimes go to my instructor to have to odd lesson, but not nearly enough!. Viv is fantastic and is really cheap (£13 for an hour - gone up from £7 a few years ago) but if I find a horse on loan this year I am going to try and go at least once a fortnight!
 
Hi there:) Wish your test goes well!
I have a proposition for you: ask your sister to video you (well!) and then put on You Tube or somwhere where I can see it. I can give you hints and advice andsuggest exercises that could help. I am by no means an expert but I need as many 'guinea pigs' as possible to train my 'coaching' eye! It's all for free and you obviously would not have to listen to my advice if it didn't seem right.
My goal is to teach the best I can and I need as many 'students' as possible but not always have time to travel to them:( I go to clinics, seminars and try to stay on top of training science and will be happy to share what I know. Have a look at my profile ( my website is there) and feel free to contact me.
 
Good luck with your tests chick
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I think that having lessons is valueale, but I think as a rider it is important to think about what you are doing and how to develop yours and your horses skills yourself. Sort of along the lines of active learning.

So, I do go for lessons with a lovely trainer (PC mostly and only started training adults in past year) and mostly I go with the problems I have identified and she helps me solve them.

So, in answer to the question...I prob go for a lesson once a month. Would love to go for more, but often struggle to fit them in with competitions (and my bank balance)
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What about joining a RC? mine does flatwork lessons starting from £5 and only 3/4 people in group. Makes it really affordable and you get the help you need.
 
I don't have a trainer/ instructor or anyone really!!
But then i need one, and am going to do something about it this year
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which is going to be scary, as i haven't really had anyone tell me what to do for about 5yrs
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I never used to have lessons as I could never afford them so I just plodded along trusting my own judgement. I started having lessons once a fortnight and they have been so much help.
A trained eye on the ground is worth every penny, they can spot things you never even knew existed! I have spent the last 3 months having regular lessons whilst having a break from competing and it was the best decision I ever made.
 
Since I decided to sell Olympic I haven't had any lessons, but once I get my new pony I will be back having them. I do have a friend who is very good and charges me mates rates and she is also going to help find me a new horse.

Lessons do make a big difference to me if I have them with the right person
 
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