Lesson Report for today - and a few odd comments..

[Thelwell_Girl]

Well... Today has been fun!

~
First, the lesson! I was on Dawi, the lurvely welsh D, and was with two of the vet students.

A, who is starting working towards her PTT, was a good instructor, getting me to work on my circles, and making my transitions accurate. She really got me working, telling me how I could improve, and coaching me through. When I get something wrong, or it doesnt go as planned, I start to panic and get flustered, and end up ignoring the peopel helping me A picked up on this, and made sure I was listening and doing what she said.

We did lots of trot-canter-trot transitions, all the time working on my timing, making sure that I asked Dawi correctly, and that I followed through with my request.

Had some lovely canters along the long side, really getting that pony moving forward, and keeping him going until I told him to stop! I need to work on sitting up straight in the trot-canter transition, and also on my canter-trot as I seem to go all bouncy on Dawi

It was also so nice watching the vet students progress! This was only their second or third lesson, but the improvement from the beginning of the lesson was staggering, I was really proud of them! They are always so lovely, and one of them even offered to be my A-level Biology tutor

~

Now, the yard...

Felt like I was shouted at a lot today. I really couldnt seem to do anything right! I was told off for wanting to swap horses in my helpers lesson with one of the vet students ("Would you ask to swap with a client?!" 'Of course not!'), and got my head bitten off for saying so. Then was told off for trying to help by taking one of the horses down to the arena for the vet student. Yaaaaay.

HOWEVER! The other helpers were lovely, we had a right laugh, and the lovely Z has finally returned from Ireland! She is now officially a member of staff I love the way she teaches, we really seem to click, and we even already have an in-joke She also, like my usual instructor B, doesnt let me get away with anything, but still encourages me.

I did get a funny comment from a member of staff today. She said 'You're not really made for jumping' and that I should 'hold off on the jumping for now, work on your flatwork'. Her reason for this was that, as I was doing the course of jumpies, she apparently had real concern for my safety and was worried for me! I mean... I wasnt THAT awful was I? I kind of got the feeling that she was trying to put me off trying jumping again, as I was talking about how, next year, Id be doing all three phases in the pony week.

I do kinda see what she means. I am not a natural rider, but I work on what I can change. I showed Z the Pro pic of me and Bonnie Coblet from friday and she said 'I WILL get you jumping ', so Im holding out hope
~

As usual, thank you for listening (or reading!) my ramblings, I find it really helpful to type out what Ive learnt and what Ive done.

Irish Shortbread for everyone who got through that

TG xx

 

[Montyforever]

Of course your made for jumping!

Some people take longer than others to get the hang of things!

(Oh and i wasnt ignoring you last night on FB, was in the other room Soweee )

 

[Aperchristmas]

Sounds like a good lesson!

Re the jumping: I'm sure you're not that bad at all! Keep working on your flatwork and you'll improve no end. Remember that most of a jumping round is on the flat, so the better your flatwork, the better you can jump. Your instructors won't push you harder than you can do so keep working and you'll be jumping really well soon

 

[VioletStripe]

I do love your lesson updates!! Must be a day for updating I've done one eek, Laura's done one.. everyone's doing em!!

Sounds brilliant! And Dawi - I'm smitten!!

I used to get shouted at a lot too - don't take it to heart, a stables is a business and they can get quite stressful at times, something going wrong with a large animal would be a problem and health and safety etc.. Just don't worry, shrug it off and remember for next time It's what I told myself, anyway

As for the comment - quite rude, I'd have thought! Though people are suited to different aspects, though I thought you looked alright whenever you've posted pics! With her saying work on your flatwork more, flatwork is essential for jumping, so working on that more couldn't hurt! Just get plenty more lessons (more updates and pics please! ) on a good schoolmaster-y horse to show you the ropes etc more? That way you can zoom round on Bonnie Coblet next time For instance, I love jumping but haven't done a mahoosive amount, so would never dream of doing XC or a 1m competition on Spot for instance, though would on the Palomino machine George! Though I am much too big for him now xx

 

[Booboos]

Glad you had a good lesson (even if the rest was a bit pants!).

Everyone has to work on their riding, it's a tough thing to do! For my money, the instructor who made the comment about the jumping is not a very good instructor. It's not a very encouraging or helpful comment at all! Maybe she should teach you better and then you will find it easier, rather than making such unhelpful comments!

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Of course you're made for jumping!

Some people take longer than others to get the hang of things!

(Oh and i wasnt ignoring you last night on FB, was in the other room Soweee )

Hehe, we'll see

Hehe, tis ok

Sounds like a good lesson!

Re the jumping: I'm sure you're not that bad at all! Keep working on your flatwork and you'll improve no end. Remember that most of a jumping round is on the flat, so the better your flatwork, the better you can jump. Your instructors won't push you harder than you can do so keep working and you'll be jumping really well soon

I am working really hard on my flatwork (I dont jump that much lately...) so will hopefully show them how much better I am now!

I do love your lesson updates!! Must be a day for updating I've done one eek, Laura's done one.. everyone's doing em!!

Sounds brilliant! And Dawi - I'm smitten!!

I used to get shouted at a lot too - don't take it to heart, a stables is a business and they can get quite stressful at times, something going wrong with a large animal would be a problem and health and safety etc.. Just don't worry, shrug it off and remember for next time It's what I told myself, anyway

As for the comment - quite rude, I'd have thought! Though people are suited to different aspects, though I thought you looked alright whenever you've posted pics! With her saying work on your flatwork more, flatwork is essential for jumping, so working on that more couldn't hurt! Just get plenty more lessons (more updates and pics please! ) on a good schoolmaster-y horse to show you the ropes etc more? That way you can zoom round on Bonnie Coblet next time xx

Dawi is soo handsome

It just felt so... weird! I understand she was worried about me. But when else has she seen me jump? Shes never watched one of my private jumping lessons, shes seen a few videos and pics on my camera, and then my first ever course of jumps, when I was ***** scared! Not the best examples...

I WILL drag you down (or is that up??!) to my yard one day

Glad you had a good lesson (even if the rest was a bit pants!).

Everyone has to work on their riding, it's a tough thing to do! For my money, the instructor who made the comment about the jumping is not a very good instructor. It's not a very encouraging or helpful comment at all! Maybe she should teach you better and then you will find it easier, rather than making such unhelpful comments!

The woman who made the comment isnt actually an instructor, more a senior staff member. I value the opinion of my instructors more! They know me, and know how I ride, and as I said to VS, this particular woman has only ever seen me riding when Ive been terrified!

*and breath*

 

[MrsMozartletoe]

Good lesson. Well done

Many great artists aren't that good, they just really want to do it and work very hard and get there despite no natural talent for the subject.

I'm not at all academic, but I work in an area that usually requires a high level of academic qualifications - I was just no good at being told 'No'

What I'm trying to say is that whilst you might not be a natural, neither are the vast majority of riders, doesn't stop them working on it and trying though

I agree with Booboos - the instructor that made the comment about the jumping needs to learn how to instruct; it's not just what is said in the school, it's how the client (you) are made to feel at all times. Bouyed up enough to give it your best, without you becoming reckless and endangering yourself.

 

[Kellys Heroes]

Psht! Everyone can be made for anything if they're willing to put the work in which out of anyone I know, you are!

I always used to get told off for wanting to ride the same horse (my fave!) in my riding lessons

Its true to have a good jump, you NEED to have that brilliant flatwork going - but you are constantly improving and taking tips and advice so I can't see there was any need for that comment!!
Ignore them - tis stressful running a business sometimes and people say things they don't mean or think about!
Glad you had a good lesson
K x

 

[CalllyH]

Is there anything you can do not on a horse to improve your natural core balance - I think this is really important and no offence but you do see to fall off alot

Mrs M - any suggestions that may help her? what about one of those balance balls?

 

[VioletStripe]

Is there anything you can do not on a horse to improve your natural core balance - I think this is really important and no offence but you do see to fall off alot

Mrs M - any suggestions that may help her? what about one of those balance balls?

I can assure you she doesn't fall off as much as me

And agree - core balance improves your riding greatly I've found! I just used an exercise ball, sitting on the centre nice and straight, lifting each leg up for as long as I could one at a time and then working on lifting both legs up in front of me at the same time.. Make sense? Anyway, improved my balance, strengthened tummy and thigh muscles and was super easy Sorry for interrupting! Know the question was aimed at MrsM but just wanted to suggest xx

 

[wellsat]

Its really unfair of your instructor to say that you aren't made for jumping. You might not find it easy but that doesn't mean you won't get better if its something you really want to do. Keep working on your flatwork and as your balance and co-ordination gets better your jumping will look after itself. Go on, prove that instructor wrong, be so good that they've got no choice but to let you jump in the pony week next year.

 

[CalllyH]

VS - no probs - Im tempted to blow my ball up again!

 

[MrsMozartletoe]

Balance ball. Balance board. Pilates (especially that aimed specifically at riders).

Lots of toning and stretching. When the bod moves smoothly it is easier to recover from that "Whoops!" moment

Ironically I'd just got a balance board and was looking for Pilates classes just before I came off....

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Good lesson. Well done

Many great artists aren't that good, they just really want to do it and work very hard and get there despite no natural talent for the subject.

I'm not at all academic, but I work in an area that usually requires a high level of academic qualifications - I was just no good at being told 'No'

What I'm trying to say is that whilst you might not be a natural, neither are the vast majority of riders, doesn't stop them working on it and trying though

I agree with Booboos - the instructor that made the comment about the jumping needs to learn how to instruct; it's not just what is said in the school, it's how the client (you) are made to feel at all times. Bouyed up enough to give it your best, without you becoming reckless and endangering yourself.

Lucily, that woman is not actually an instructor! She is normally quite nice, and was pretty nice when I came to thank her for my lesson, and get on my way home. The YO's daughter was lovely as usual, asking about my GCSEs

I am so glad that I have B and Z there to help me and actually be my instructors! They are simply lovely, always trying to help me improve, and being positive when I get things wrong!

Psht! Everyone can be made for anything if they're willing to put the work in which out of anyone I know, you are!

I always used to get told off for wanting to ride the same horse (my fave!) in my riding lessons

Its true to have a good jump, you NEED to have that brilliant flatwork going - but you are constantly improving and taking tips and advice so I can't see there was any need for that comment!!
Ignore them - tis stressful running a business sometimes and people say things they don't mean or think about!
Glad you had a good lesson
K x

My normal instructor, B, did for a while ban me from riding Bonnie, partly because I couldnt handle her when she went on one of her loony parades (I can now!) partly cos I just love her so damn much

I do kinda think she just mad the comment without thinking (well I hope thats the case!) as we were down on the field with the small pony-week-ers, trying to make sure they didnt kill themselves climbing over the XC jumps!

Todays lesson was quite good, and slightly shamefully, it did feel nice being the more experienced rider in the group

Is there anything you can do not on a horse to improve your natural core balance - I think this is really important and no offence but you do see to fall off alot

Mrs M - any suggestions that may help her? what about one of those balance balls?

Oh geez - Do I really fall off that much?

I am thinking of getting one of those - just where will I put it?!

I can assure you she doesn't fall off as much as me

And agree - core balance improves your riding greatly I've found! I just used an exercise ball, sitting on the centre nice and straight, lifting each leg up for as long as I could one at a time and then working on lifting both legs up in front of me at the same time.. Make sense? Anyway, improved my balance, strengthened tummy and thigh muscles and was super easy Sorry for interrupting! Know the question was aimed at MrsM but just wanted to suggest xx

Hehe, yay?!

Ooh, those exercises sound good - could you maybe elaborate? (for my poor little brain you see )

Its really unfair of your instructor to say that you aren't made for jumping. You might not find it easy but that doesn't mean you won't get better if its something you really want to do. Keep working on your flatwork and as your balance and co-ordination gets better your jumping will look after itself. Go on, prove that instructor wrong, be so good that they've got no choice but to let you jump in the pony week next year.

I will prove her wrong, by next summer Ill be flying round those jumps with control and accuracy, I have a whole year to work my arse off!

xx

 

[JessandCharlie]

I'd avoid pilates to begin with. Get a good core first as it can do harm to your back if you aren't strong in that area to begin with. Balance ball/board, crunches (be careful to use tummy not back or neck) etc will really help to begin with!

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Balance ball. Balance board. Pilates (especially that aimed specifically at riders).

Lots of toning and stretching. When the bod moves smoothly it is easier to recover from that "Whoops!" moment

Ironically I'd just got a balance board and was looking for Pilates classes just before I came off....

Those balance boards sound fun

I am also going to try my hardest to do the recommended 30mins of WiiFit every day. Itll keep me moving and exercising through the week (no more PE lessons for me! Yahooo!!) and also hopefully help me to stretch my back and keep it moving.

 

[VioletStripe]

Basically, sit on the exercise ball nice and straight, the same way you would in an arm chair, except no slouching back, your legs creating a right angle on the inside of your knee, and you arms by your side. Then, raise your left leg so it's straight out in front of you, like you do when you sit on the floor with your legs stretched out in front? Only do it with the left leg first though, keeping your arms by your side, sitting up dead straight and your right leg still down and with a right angle Hold it for as long as possible and then sit back like you did at the beginning, giving yourself a bit of a rest. Then do the same with your right leg! Then try it with both.. Then it gets reeeeaaaally hard Work on holding your leg out for longer each time! Really hurts at first, but gets better! You can then lay on your tummy, putting your legs up on the ball and pushing yourself up with your arms so you do a sort of push up with your legs on the ball, and holding it as long as you can! And when I did gymnastics we also used to do something called a dish where you'd lie on your tummy on the floor, legs straight out behind you and arms straight out in front of you, and then lift your arms and legs from your shoulders and your hips, keeping yourself poised so they are still straight and above the floor, keeping fingers and toes pointed! xx

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Thanks VS! Now just need to find a TG-sized little bouncy ball thing

Hehe, in PE, we called it the Superman I was rubbish at it!!

 

[VioletStripe]

Thanks VS! Now just need to find a TG-sized little bouncy ball thing

Hehe, in PE, we called it the Superman I was rubbish at it!!

Oooh much better name!! I hate it as well - works wonders though when you do it for some time though xx

 

[CalllyH]

They are really cheap too but do work wonders! *wanders off to blow one up*

 

[MrsMozartletoe]

They are really cheap too but do work wonders! *wanders off to blow one up*

Hm. There's one sat here in the study doing nothing

 

[starsnrunes]

As the others have said, Working on your flat will make your jumping easier/better. But to say your not made for it is a very rediculous and rude comment, especially from a senior member of staff (even if she is not an instructor) to a client, no matter if you were there to help or paying at the time. Especially as she is not an instructor, it's not her place to say.

Oh and well done on getting to jump on the final day last week. Was away and could check on my mobile but not log in to reply.

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Oooh much better name!! I hate it as well - works wonders though when you do it for some time though xx

Gonna try it later and see how much it kills me... My stupid back still stupidly hurts after lifting those stupid hay bales! Stupid!!

They are really cheap too but do work wonders! *wanders off to blow one up*

Hm. There's one sat here in the study doing nothing

Can anyone find a tiny pink one (preferably as sparkly as possible ) for me?

As the others have said, Working on your flat will make your jumping easier/better. But to say your not made for it is a very rediculous and rude comment, especially from a senior member of staff (even if she is not an instructor) to a client, no matter if you were there to help or paying at the time. Especially as she is not an instructor, it's not her place to say.

Oh and well done on getting to jump on the final day last week. Was away and could check on my mobile but not log in to reply.

I have sobered myself again, and realised that what she was saying was downright silly and rude! Was feeling quite hurt by her comment, 'specially as she is normally the person who comments on how hard I work, (normally when Im knee-deep in the 17.2's stable!)

However, I will carry on with my lessons, with the occasional Private one, and then when I feel ready and when MY instructors feel Im ready, book a jumping lesson!

Hehe, thanks It was SO much fun! Even if I did deck it, and even if I did feel absolutelu ***** scared, I had SUCH fun! Had the huuugest grin on my face as I took Bonnie up

 

[emma69]

Pilates is great for core strength. Any decent class will ensure you use the correct technique to avoid injury, so no need to avoid doing it!

I used to have a stuident who I absolutely hated jumping - she terrified me, I constantly thought she was going to land on her head. Unfortunately she loved it, so each week I would be chewing on my cheek, and tired not to close my eyes! She got there eventually, after a LOT of flat work, and not a tiny number of falls (aka flinging herself off the poor pony - she didn't fall, she catapulted herself out of her stirrups with enthusiasm!)

However, I wasn't tactless enough to tell her she wasn't gifted in the jumping department! Just ignore her, do work on the flat (and without stirrups etc) to help with balance, do work in half seat to strengthen your position, and yes, practise jumping, but focus on technique, not height.

 

[emma69]

Will your instructors let you jump at the end of each lesson? I far perfer that to booking specific flat / jump lessons with people who need to work on both - otherwise you go 3-4 weeks without jumping, and it is hard to progress at that rate. I like doing flat for 40 mins, jumping for 15 each week - keeps the horses interested too!

 

[thinlizzy]

Just remember the good bits and disregard the bad bits chick,best way grow a thick skin and be laid back you seem like your doing well

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Pilates is great for core strength. Any decent class will ensure you use the correct technique to avoid injury, so no need to avoid doing it!

I used to have a stuident who I absolutely hated jumping - she terrified me, I constantly thought she was going to land on her head. Unfortunately she loved it, so each week I would be chewing on my cheek, and tried not to close my eyes! She got there eventually, after a LOT of flat work, and not a tiny number of falls (aka flinging herself off the poor pony - she didn't fall, she catapulted herself out of her stirrups with enthusiasm!)

However, I wasn't tactless enough to tell her she wasn't gifted in the jumping department! Just ignore her, do work on the flat (and without stirrups etc) to help with balance, do work in half seat to strengthen your position, and yes, practise jumping, but focus on technique, not height.

I can safely say that I dislike falling off, and am not anywhere near that worrying to watch! (I hope...)

I do feel a bit like Im focusing too much on height, so back to smaller x poles to work on technique and well see how we go from there!

I love doing work w/o stirrups, specially on Albert the fatty cob

Will your instructors let you jump at the end of each lesson? I far perfer that to booking specific flat / jump lessons with people who need to work on both - otherwise you go 3-4 weeks without jumping, and it is hard to progress at that rate. I like doing flat for 40 mins, jumping for 15 each week - keeps the horses interested too!

Much as I would like to, we are quite a busy RS, so maybe not poss. Maybe next time I book a private Ill ask about making it half jump/half flat though.

But! I will be changing the instructor I ask for when i do book any jumping lesson. It'll be B or Z from now on! I need an instructor to be positive, always egging me on to try my hardest, and thats what they do

Also, I really think i need a BP

Just remember the good bits and disregard the bad bits chick,best way grow a thick skin and be laid back you seem like your doing well

Thanks

I am letting peoples comments get to me a bit lately I need to woman up!!

xx

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

I'd avoid pilates to begin with. Get a good core first as it can do harm to your back if you aren't strong in that area to begin with. Balance ball/board, crunches (be careful to use tummy not back or neck) etc will really help to begin with!

Ah, sorry, forgot to reply to this!

With my back how it is, maybe pilates is not the best idea at the moment I am going to crawl off to an Osteo pretty soon!

 

[Horsehead]

Had to leave a lil comment here... I rode that Dawi today... :-\ hmmmmm <---- that's really all I can say!

 

[Mavis Cluttergusset]

Whilst it's nothing to do with me and certainly not my place to say (but Im going to anyway) why are people 'new' to riding so obsessed with jumping? What's wrong with getting the basics right first? Not particularly you TG - more another novice rider I know who was so utterly consumed by the idea of jumping big, to the point where he used to career motorbike style round the school, unbalanced and far too fast, and hurl the horse at 3 ft fences, which she'd inevitably knock down, and eventually ended up overturning the horse on a corner. If he'd spent more time perfecting his riding on the flat, he'd have been a lot more successful over fences in the long run, he'd have understood the importance of rhythm, balance and core stability.

I'm sure the senior staff member wasn't trying to be rude, perhaps she was just trying to subtly (well maybe not subtly) suggest you spend more time sorting out your flatwork because it is more helpful in the long run? Just an idea (don't jump on me)