people watching your lessons *mini rant*

I sometimes feel embarassed when people watch when things aren't going well (I get roasted alot). But to be honest, I don't mind that much. I watch others too (both more advanced and less advanced) because I always pick something up.
 
I used to hate anyone watching me but now it doesn't bother me. Most people on the yard only ever see me hacking out and have me pegged as a happy hacker and horsie as a fat plod so it can be a bit of an eye opener when they witness her working properly in the school. I have to say things sometimes go pear shaped especially in canter - spectators get their money's worth on those occasions.
It is good for the horse to have people watching as she will have to cope with this if she ever goes to a show.
 
Going into the indoor school when the doors are shut to sit in the corner and watch someone you don't know ride is a little odd, but if you were uncomfortable you should have told your instructor to ask them to leave.

I don't have a problem with someone watching me have a lesson, but if they came into the school that would be weird and i don't know how I would feel really, more anxious they might get in the way, but my instructor would probably tell them to get out as it's her yard so she has the power! ;)

Standing on the edge of say an outdoor arena (not actually in it) is perfectly normal though i think, whether you know them or not. I would never ask permission to watch someone if I was just lurking on the outskirts, and I would think the rider very rude if they asked me to leave!!
 
This has become a bit of a thing at my yard too. I don't mind people coming and watching for 10 mins or so, I think its nice that other liveries want to see how we're progressing.

BUT people watching for a long time makes me really uncomfortable, I don't like people watching me ride, it makes me nervous, their dogs move around at distract my mare sometimes (I know she needs to get used to it, but when we are trying to not induce handstands, it would be helpful to have no distractions. Forgive her, she's a baby :p ) I don't watch other people's lessons really, maybe the odd 5 mins here and there, but never longer than that.

It also makes me nervous of what they're thinking of me, and what would happen if we cocked up. So no, I don't like it, but how do you ask your friends not to watch without sounding pathetic and mardy!??!
 
NeverSayNever said:
see to me - the fact its private should mean just that, if youve booked an indoor,there shouldnt be anyone else in there unless you invite them.

if you booked a function room for an hour, how would you feel if someone else came in and sat in the corner?

by the way, im looking for anyone to agree really, i do know im a grumpy cowbag;)
Click to expand...

I do think that someone opening the door when you're riding (and have the arena booked privately) and parking yourself in the corner is a bit off TBH. I wouldn't mind them watching from the gallery but not if they sat in a corner, especially as they'd potentially be in the way if my steering was a bit off! That said...they'd soon be wishing they hadn't come in to watch if my big horse cantered towards them like the Charge of the Light Brigade :D

So I agree with you re. people parking themselves in the corner of an indoor arena, esp when you've just closed the doors, as that's interrupting the lesson. I don't care about people hanging over the fence of an outdoor or people in an indoor gallery though.
 
The yard I have lessons at is a large competition yard and it is very rare that you would have a lesson without someone sitting down to watch. Personally I have never thought anything of it. My focus is on the horse and the instructor. I also often sit and have a bit of lunch whilst watching other people's lessons. I never imagined that anyone would be so offended by me watching! I certainly am not judging their riding, more just hoping to gleen some sort of tip that might sink in for next time. I think if you are that upset by people watching you should tell them, otherwise people like me will happily keep sitting and observing without realising the distress it is causing you!
 
Well I've never had a problem with people watching me not that they would pick up much!! :D FWIW I often share the arena, when I am working my horse, when 4* riders are having thier training and they never seem to mind!! Although it is nerve wracking for me :eek: and horse always does his best to illustrate all my terrible faults. :o I have learnt so much from watching others being trained, often get given tips at the same time and also trainer will say look at this ....illustrates such and such a....... my thinking if a 'name' and highly talented professional doesn't mind why would I worry about my rediculous attempts!!:D
 
_Charli_ said:
Going into the indoor school when the doors are shut to sit in the corner and watch someone you don't know ride is a little odd, but if you were uncomfortable you should have told your instructor to ask them to leave.
Click to expand...

lol - dont worry, i wouldnt need and instructor to ask someone to leave on my behalf;)

tbh, as Ive said i just think its rude. see, i do compete as well. and often do lessons at RC, or clinics where its the norm for there to be people about and that's fine. BUT i do like my privacy at times. Id never ever cope if I had to move back to a yard-Im far too unsociable:p
 
I don't mind being watched when I'm having a private lesson---too used to group lessons, where there's always someone watching, to mind, I suppose. I can understand how someone would mind, though. Oddly, I don't like being watched when I'm schooling! I don't mind other liveries watching me school, or kids at the riding school, but if I'm in the school outside my instructor's living room window, I'm sometimes tempted to hide in the far end where he can't see. How silly is that?

Now if you want to talk embarrassing, try having a voice lesson infront of your own students! :o
 
I don't mind being watched when I'm having a private lesson---too used to group lessons, where there's always someone watching, to mind, I suppose. I can understand how someone would mind, though. Oddly, I don't like being watched when I'm schooling! I don't mind other liveries watching me school, or kids at the riding school, but if I'm in the school outside my instructor's living room window, I'm sometimes tempted to hide in the far end where he can't see. How silly is that?

Now if you want to talk embarrassing, try having a voice lesson infront of your own students! :o
 
I haven't got a problem with being watched in lessons- I had private lessons at the riding school and there were always people popping in and watching. Since leaving the riding school and starting lessons with a freelance instructor the horse's owners will watch which I think is good... they often pick up on little things that the instructor didn't, and can also see the improvement!!

That said I do prefer to school in between lessons on my own, I seem to concentrate a lot better when it's just me and the horse :)
 
Depends where you go.
If it's a riding school, training centre or yard where the school hasn't been hired for sole use then there are going to be people around. If you've hired the whole school and booked the instructor its only polite to be asked (and reliase that if you ask people can say no!)
I usually go to the yard stright from work as if I've got an hour to spare before a lesson I'd rather spend it watching other people ride rather than driving home to turn round and go out again. Nobody has ever complained about being watched. Saying that I'd only watch people in the indoor/outdoor schools. If they've gone out to the fields for some peace and quiet while they school/have lessons I wouldn't dream of following!
 
I have to admit that I went for two lessons at one RS (which I have since found out seems to have an awful reputation) and I was extremely rusty having only hacked out a little over the previous few years. First lesson was OKish but the 2nd lesson had me on a cold-backed horse with about 10 people watching me intently which was extremely offputting. In theory, I don't mind people watching, but as I was lacking confidence it wasn't pleasant to have these people watching and chatting through it.

Then several girls waltzed in to use the school at the same time and got on the track in front of me when I was struggling to canter on the horse. I obviously don't mind sharing a school if people are considerate, I kept having to stop or steer round them or my instructor would be chatting to them instead of me!

Needless to say, I didn't go again.
 
I always ride like a numpty when people are watching me - so I welcome it! I'll never get any better if i'm always parnoid. Good practice for competitions.

As for the B****iness, if I'm the only thing they have to talk about shows their lives are pretty sad!

If you are really uncomfortable speak up, You are well within your rights to kick them out, as it is your lesson.
 
Twizzel said:
I haven't got a problem with being watched in lessons- I had private lessons at the riding school and there were always people popping in and watching. Since leaving the riding school and starting lessons with a freelance instructor the horse's owners will watch which I think is good... they often pick up on little things that the instructor didn't, and can also see the improvement!!

That said I do prefer to school in between lessons on my own, I seem to concentrate a lot better when it's just me and the horse :)
Click to expand...

I accept that sometimes it can be quite daunting to have people watching your lessons... however, that said, I feel personally if, say the owners are paying for the lessons and also paying for show entries etc etc then probably they do have a right to watch the lessons as it is their investment too. I think another reason why owners would want to watch is to ensure that the horse is progessing forward in their schooling whilst staying fit and healthy and not over worked. All of the above taken into account I think a quiet personal schooling session can build that bond between horse and rider.
 
One thing to be said for when people on our yard watch lessons...it's helped with a bit of bonding and team camaraderie. There's quite a few of us who get lessons from the same instructor and we all learn from eachother's lessons. As a result, we go out competing together, help eachother, cheer eachother on. This atmosphere wouldn't be the same without the peanut gallery. I tend to feel more self conscious when it's someone strange watching....but even then, I'm over it. :p
 
I would love to watch other people's lessons but would have always asked if they minded first. I would have loved it if my OH had come to watch me when I had lessons - I would have liked him to be proud of me!!
 
diggerbez said:
i hate people watching me ride... :eek: i think its because i have very low self esteem about my riding and get convinced that people are laughing at me :eek: not so much now i have moved yards but on my old yard there were lots of people who would watch you and then give you unsollicited advice (both to your face and not :rolleyes:) about how **** you are...new yard is much nicer and way more supportive! :D
Click to expand...

Same here! Some horsey people I know love to inform others of their opinions
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top