OK Male or Female trainers?

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Mearas

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It is the training not the trainer that is important which is undoubtedly true. But I have witnessed people being given really poor instruction which they seem happy to accept when charmed by a good looking male instructor, I am sure there are other examples for women instructors but it seems to me that female instructors often have to be better than there male counterparts? I am not a feminist nor a man hater, nor an instructor myself but I have often wondered why this is?
 
I've not found that to be totally honest. Al has lessons with both a male and female trainer and they are both excellent. Their gender has nothing to do with how good they are. They both have a very similar style, upfront and honest with a fair amount of dry wit, and it suits the way she learns.

I wonder if you get on better with a certain style which is in turn more favoured by female instructors?
 
Mearas said:
It is the training not the trainer that is important which is undoubtedly true. But I have witnessed people being given really poor instruction which they seem happy to accept when charmed by a good looking male instructor, I am sure there are other examples for women instructors but it seems to me that female instructors often have to be better than there male counterparts? I am not a feminist nor a man hater, nor an instructor myself but I have often wondered why this is?
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Its probably not across the board but I do know what you mean! I know of a very good looking male instructor who I'm absolutely certain most of his pupils to go because of his looks and charm. Each to their own I suppose :p
 
I don't think I prefer female over male instructors but I do know what instruction I want. My own trainer is female and amazing and I would never swop her. But I recently watched a clinic given by a very good looking male, admittedly very good rider, but the lesson was unbelievably awful and very expensive. The riders however, seemed content to have their egos massaged and over look the quality and cost of the instruction they were receiving.
 
My experience is like lolos, I'm not fussed what gender they are, provided they know their stuff & suit me, & most people ime tend to think the same.
While some women might prefer a man I think there are also women who prefer to have another female so I'd say if there's a preference it could be either way.
 
Best I had was a male but certainly was not for the looks! it was the fact that I got on well with him and his method of working was one that I could relate to and easily understand plus the horses really seemed to like and trust him. I still use his methods now and when things are not going the way I would like I can stop and imagine he is still here and work out most things by thinking what he would have said if he was watching
 
I think that as with anything it depends on the individual...

However, I have found that of the more forceful instructors who ride quite strongly etc, they are always men... I had to stop using an instructor I had with my previous horse, as my nerves were shot to bits, and the new lad was very green schooling-wise, so it didn't really work - being strong with him just made him worse. He also just didn't get why I was so different on a different horse - he seemed to think I was just being a wet blanket and could buck up if I wanted...

When I needed someone to hold my hand through sorting myself and the new boy out, the only instructor I clicked with was a lovely softly softly lady - who I more or less 'outgrew' far too quickly once I got back up to near my previous level.

At the moment, I have a male and female instructor, and whilst I prefer the man, I don't think that's based on gender, just that we click a bit better, but he's very hard to get hold of... They both teach in the same way though, and pick up complementary things and give complementary exercises without even knowing it!
 
Having just posted the above, I've remembered why some male instructors put me off... The good looking ones make me cringe most! When helping me to put my leg in the correct position it just feels weird, and when one told me to let him give me a leg up I just turned into a beetroot and scuttled off to the fence to clamber on! What if he couldn't get me up there?! :rolleyes:

Also current male instructors are gay...somehow makes it easier when repositioning my thigh :o
 
Generally, I prefer male instructors. I find they are more black and white, this is how it is done so do it. No airy-fairy grey areas. However the only male instructors I've had have been at least 2 star eventers and/or BHSAI's so I've never had to question anything.
Currently on a regular basis I'm being taught by a female instructor, but she has a very black and white attitude with me, she can be sympathetic but I told her that I work better this way. I prefer a very blunt instructor, I know where I stand then.
I'm strange, I almost need to be bullied into pushing myself otherwise I question my own confidence, to be chucked back on if/when I come off and make me do whatever again before it sinks in what has happened and to be told I'm doing it wrong when I am. I find I get this more with male instructors than female, but she's doing a great job so far :)
 
Where are these good looking male instructors? I have yet to find one :mad:
. I have a very nice, very good (gay) male instructor and a very nice, very good female instructor. A good trainer is a good trainer - end of.
 
I don't think gender really matters, however, it can't be any different than having a fit gym instructor, if you are physically attracted to someone you will act differently. In my case, my chances of falling off would no doubt increase.

A very good looking friend of mine used to come and teach at my yard every couple of months. The liveries went crazy over him (he was a fab instructor) and were all constantly trying to get his attention and hoping he would ask them out! They never realised he was gay! Very funny to watch!
 
Hi,

I have been taught by both - granted only one male - so can't really give broad view. This is a riding school - so they tend to work with learners more often - and in the last year I'd not had as many lessons as I should.

However out of three female instructors - highly experienced dressage instructor, senior instructor, beginners instructor - I have found the beginners instructor easier to get on with - although she specialises in beginners she likes working with difficult horses/ponies and seeing their riders progress. She has an easy manner - explains everything in simple english - non-horsey terms and is very likeable. The senior instructor assumes you and the horse are already working well and pretty much runs through the same old circles, work without stirrups blah, blah, blah, - Dressage lady is lovely and explains riding in simple terms - i.e. uses car driving terms, but she can be blunt - I do like her alot.

The male instructor is young - and isn't really interested in teaching properly (or interested in his own horse for that matter - but that's another story).
 
i dont mind either.....as long as they get on with me and my horse and work how we work its fine.......

i find women more 'pushy' and can try to ride/teach like a man, but never seem to get the same result.....but this is more proff riders riding the big horses who have to 'create' strength...

men can be a bit vague and shouty.........but they are always like this......!
 
I've only ever had two male trainers/instructors. Sam Dewar (BE rider) and Donn Collins(BHSI, BHS Chief Assessor, RC Master Judge and he's won the NZ dressage champs and Kur... twice).
Had one lesson with Sam and he was FABULOUS! Totally got the horse, totally understood my riding and gave us some fab exercises to use. He's was sympathetic, but stern at the same time. Really encouraging and praised loads when we did something well. Def thinking of having some XC lessons with him too at some point this summer.

Donn I had in my first year riding at college. Very traditional, but very good. Helped my riding no end. He's funny too, and comes out with some corking one liners!

Still, I adore my instructor, she has improved horse and I huge amounts in such a small space of time.
 
I don't really look at people (would be terrible if I was ever mugged or something, would have no idea what the person looked like) so not likely to choose an instructor on looks :p I find men & women have different styles of teaching, men generally a bit more down to earth & quite a practical approach, & women more likely to take offense but probably more likely to bring in the mental aspects of training/riding. I'm currently having lessons with a lovely female instructor, but for jumping lessons I wouldn't hesitate to have more lessons with the man I've had two of my horses off, who I find very helpful & not pushy, but gets me actually riding and trying new things, and explains just enough without being OTT, which is great. Sadly he doesn't teach much & certainly wouldn't travel to me!
 
I tend to get on with blokes better in general and have a few very good female friends who act more like lads. I have no time for people who fuss which translates into teaching.
Whether male or female I like someone who doesn't beat around the bush and gets on with it. A good looking bloke would be more likely to put me off tbh as I want to concentrate on riding... Not worrying about looking a tit!

I want someone I feel comfortable around and trust, means far more than how good looking someone is.
 
Don't give a hoot on gender, only quality of instruction :)

Can't say I've had a straight male trainer thinking about it anyway so no relevence to me!!!
 
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