Professional schooling

[oldie48]

Rose has spent 10 days with a pro rider whilst I've been away. I know people sometimes ask about whether it's worth it so I thought I'd share my experience. I have been having lessons with this trainer so she knows Rose well and taking into account I'd have to have paid someone to look after Rose and keep her ticking over for me + the cost of my usual lesson, this was a cost effective solution. If anyone wants to know who I used and costs etc please feel free to PM me, she's based near Cirencester. I watched Rose being ridden and she looked fab, through into a steady contact, nicely on the hind leg and soft in her back. The canter work is hugely improved, this has really been a work in progress as 6 months ago she strugged to maintain canter and was very unbalanced. she cantered 10 m circles in balance and without losing rhythm, did some pretty smart canter half pass and canter leg yield, her med trot was much improved and the back end matched the front! I must get some vid of her she doesn't look like the scraggy mare I bought!
I got on and the difference in power took me by surprise, she's always felt a bit "not quite on the aids" and we've had to work a lot on straightness but for the first time I felt she was truly through, soft in her back and using her backend. Of course the chimp started telling me that "she's too good for you" but I am trying to keep him at bay! I am not saying that all of this is the result of spending 10 days away as it's something that we've been working on ever since I got Rose and she's had to build the correct muscles but I do feel having a very much better rider than me working her consistently has meant she has progressed more quickly. It's now my job to maintain the improvement and build on it.

 

[ihatework]

Sometimes it really is the most cost effective solution - and best solution.

When I was competing I had someone school my horse for me most weeks, it really helps just keep them in the aids.

With my current event horse I produced him myself last year from a DIY yard, but by the time I’d fed him (he ate a lot), boxed him out to school hires (ours wasn’t good), all weather gallops every week, dressage lessons and paying a pro to jump & compete him it was actually MORE expensive than having him based on competition livery at a top yard (which is where he is now), and he is better off for it!