John Bowen Dressage trainer...

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KatB

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Thoughts/experiences please? Am booked in for a session on Saturday.. (EEEK!) for mine and madams first "dressage" lesson.... interested to know what to expect?! :p
 
Hi there
Where are you going for the lesson? I had a couple of lessons with him at a school I used to ride at. However this was on lazy school horses and in a group. I liked him but he doesn't take any prisoners, he's very tough. I'm a much improved rider now so would be interested to have another lesson!
 
Me and my sister have trained with him - he is absolutely brilliant. He is tough but will always get the best out of you and the horse and is really good at explaining things. He is also one of those rare people who can train pure dressage people as well as show jumpers and eventers equally well.

A tip though - don't click, and create your own energy, or he'll clap his hands and send your horse flying down the arena ;D He really will make you want to ride your best, which I think is a very important quality in a trainer. Absolutely one of the best people I've ever had lessons with. Enjoy!
 
Although I haven't had any lessons with John, I have regular lessons with his wife, Fiona. Fantastic! I would imagine he is also fantastic, and I agree with the no clicking comment! I always get 'fines' from Fiona for clicking, woopsy!
 
Excellent, thanks guys! A friend is arranging clinics with him in Leicestershire, so I figured he was worth a go as she raved about him. Fingers crossed we get on ok! :D
 
Check you out little miss dressage diva pants ;-p whatever you do, don't tell Lucky, she'll be spending all night trying to dislodge her shoes, climb out of her stables.........etc

No idea what he's like, but sounds fun all the same, enjoy and make sure you report back!
 
He is a super dressage trainer and trains a lot of the professionals in my area. As a few above have said, he doesn't take any prisoners but then who wants that in a trainer anyway?! When you get things right you will get praise!
 
You will have a marvellous time...and yes you will work hard and yes he will be honest, rather than rude or brutal. Very good for wanting correct riding position....working on the development of the horse...

and as well as not clicking remember your scales of training.
 
Goodness, that's a name from the past - John used to event my instructor's horses if she was incapacitated and I had several lessons with my youngster with him. He was great, a perfectionist but realistic about you and your horse's capabilities. Where is he based now? He used to be Lincolnshire way
 
Thanks guys, sounds like it'll be a tough one, but hopefully a good'un ;) kirstyl, not sure where he is based... but know he travels about all over the place!! :D
 
Have a great lesson. Let us know how it goes - it must be 18 years since I last had a lesson with him. Doesn't time fly!!
 
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