My lesson with CF

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If anyone punched my horse in the stomach, they'd get a slap back in return.

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Same here - except would have been a punch. That is absolutely out of order for anyone to punch a horse in the stomach, no matter who they are.

My estimation of him has gone way down after hearing that.
 
I think most people know the difference between a punch and a slap don't they? Asking for lateral work at the trot without a warm-up is unacceptable and personally I would have refused to do it and explained why. Unless there is a separate area and you were supposed to warm-up before the lesson?
You should write a careful letter of complaint and personally I'd ask for a full refund.
 
As someone who was there just to watch I was not very impressed either. There was no where to warm up beforehand and no time given for warm up in the lesson and I felt no consideration was given to the individual needs of horses or riders. His attitude was very brisk to say the least and during the lesson I watched he didn't manage to learn the names of any of the riders, constantly calling people by the wrong name. I do know how difficult it can be to remember people's names when you are meeting lots one after the other, but still - I felt it was indicative of a certain attitude. I got the impression that he was not really interested in anyone and knew that these were one offs and didn't care much. The riders had all paid a good fee and were I felt entitled to more. Again, I know it might be difficult to be interested in a random band of riders and horses, but if you are a trainer that is what you are being paid for.
 
Oh dear.
It's for similar reasons that I'm wary of just using a top rider for a lesson as their teaching can often leave a lot to be desired. When it comes easily to you and you're used to working with a certain type of a horse, without a lot of training and prcatice it can be hard to be a good instructor.

I hope you get some of your money back- purely for the time reason as you only got 1/2 so you should only pay half!
 
Im totally shocked..I watch their program on horse and country all of the time and I have the dvd box set. When I lost mine I watched it alot as I like the way they treat their horses and it cheered me up. HOWEVER I had a friend who worked as a working pupil there and she really really enjoyed it and there was never any evidence of bad treatment. she said they could be sharp sometimes and a little rude, however she learnt alot from them.. mm will think twice before going to watch them again!!! hope it didnt do too much damage to your training..have a large glass of wine!! x
 
I dont for a second think they mis-treat their horses but they are demanding in their training and expect the best from horse and pupil. Having ridden plenty of their creations, they are very drilled in their way of going and they present a very neat picture. They certainly arent abused horses!
 
I think I might have seen a bit of this. Were you the rider who didn't want to ride their horse over the trotting poles? I think he was trying hard to teach you how to get your horse to bend and respond to your leg and go where you want to go. I believe he was pushing his hand/fist into the horses side - don't think it could be described as punching the horse. Many trainers do similar to demonstrate how the horse moves when asked correctly.
I think he was doing a very good job -until the lights went out which was a power cut in the area.
 
rite lets get things straight!!! after reading this post i was discussed to here that u felt the need to post such c**p on such a respected rider and trainer!! i also had a lesson with this top eventer on the tue and was very impressed with his teaching skills!!! all i can say to u is if you dont like the heat dont go in the kitchen!!!
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this clinic was arranged by a very committed eventing ireland member who was trying to raise funds for the society! the clinic lessons were sold at auction at the eventers ball in november. i also know that YOU DID NOT PAY for any part of your lesson and did not express your views to clayton himself but waited to have a go at the lady who had spent a lot of time and effort arranging the clinic!
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i in my own opinion i feel that the clinic should have been reserved for EI members only, but was not viable to do so!

basic training of an event horse includes straightness, bend, flexion and obedience, if your horse was not able to do all of these things then yes the lesson was not for u!
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i have been eventing for quite some time and i know that i will never stop learning which is y i go along to clinics with the top guns to gain more experence, my own horse is an pre-novice horse that has a few issues but after my lesson with cf she is doing her homework brilliantly and i got that much needed winter kick up the arse!!
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i was also quite shocked to watch the lessons either with more experenced horses or intro horses, who could not make head nor tail of basic pole work, so if you cant do poles how can you possibly go around a cross country course in control!!

i could keep going all nite but i have better things to do, so i am soing to leave you with this advice!

1) dont ring and book lessons above your own level

2) if you do then u must pay for it!

3) if youve a problem speak to the instructor to complain about THEIR teaching.

the lights going off was no ones fault and part refunds would have been offered if payment had been received up front!
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I watched a few of the lessons with CF on Monday and Tuesday too. He really concentrated on getting horses off the leg both in transitions and laterally- and anyone attempting even an intro needs to have their horse riding the basics correctly. There was an assumption made as this was an eventing clinic that those attending would be anticipating competing at their declared level this season so perhaps the bar was raised quite high to start with.
The lights going out was a fault with a local transformer and the pony club who were using the school after the clinics had to be cancelled too.
If you got on well with the Smiths then consider going there for private lessons for the same price as Claytons!
 
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