Riding Clubs - Competent riders only or for everyone?

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WishfulThinker

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This popped into my head after hearing a 'discussion' last night about training sessions that have just started at my yard. I am in no way having a go at they people running the club or yard, this is just something I wondered.

Basically girl at yard interested in training sessions - she can walk/trot/canter and do a small jump, but technically is not very good and she can be a wee bit of a liability in the school (not good at controlling temper etc). Her skills were discussed and it was said that she was not of a level that is the same of the other riders in the club and so she would hinder the other members.

Now - I watched some of the lessons and the riders do all seem to have horses that are flasher and better than mine, and they rider better (I do not in any way rate my riding), and so even though I am competent all the pace and jumping up to 4ft - I am technically not a liability or a disruption. But I would not possibly be able to do the standard of work that these people were doing.

Now I AM going to join as I want to take part in the lessons and don't want to keep getting kicked off the list for being a non member (plus they are on one of my share days And I am putting my name down for each week as its the day I usually get lessons so if I want to ride I have to take part or rush from work to grab 30mins before they start or wait till 8:30pm! ) - but I am now wondering if I have the riding ability or indeed a good enough horse. I want the training so that we can get better - not just work on what is there.

So I am wondering, do you think that some riding clubs discriminate against riders who are less competent or don't want ot compete, they just want to learn slowly and have fun?

We are going to be having twice weekly sessions - 2 lessons each time of an hour each. Surely 1 of these hours could be for lower level riders??

Also..................if the club does numberous sessions at different yards - do you think that members who are yard residents should get preferance over those that aren't - given that their riding time has been restricted?
 
Ok I know R.C.s are a little different over here but Im Secretary of my club and we cater for all levels. We have four new members this year who are all Primary riders, they jump 70cms. The aim of RC is to encourage amature riders
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if peopel want to join the pro then thay can jump SJAI or DI. I would hate for any of my members to feel as if they were not good enough to join our club... in fact I would take it quite personally
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ETS: Forgot to add the last bit, when organising lessons we would split according to experience/grading. Its fairer on everyone all round and that way no-one feel as if they aren't good enough....
 
I think that the riding club I am a member of takes things bit seriously sometimes.

I don't think that they appreciate that not everyone is really keen to compete and therefore don't put on enough events for those type of people.

However any standard of rider can go to the sessions/lessons and they divide the riders on ability.

Pilib X
 
I am in a RC in Cumbria and we cater for adults of all abilities. We have instuctors and all lessons are grouped according to ability, horse or combination of the two so that everyone is pretty much on an even level. This means that everyone should get about the same length of time spent on them instead of any one person taking up all the instruction and others getting left out. This also means that jumps are not constantly put up or down depending on who is next to have a go.
Of course there are times when there are issues with a rider or horse within a lesson and that person is entitled to have time spent on them to help work through a problem.

You should select the instruction you are likely to get the most out of - whatever that reason may be. You are there to learn as is everyone else otherwise they wouldn't have paid to be there.

I do not think that anyone should get preference depending on whether they are residents at a particular yard or not. The only reason that anyone should get preference is to those who help out at the club and forfeit riding for fence judging or setting up jumps etc in order to benefit others who are taking part.
 
I think it varies hugely depending on the riding club.

Ours happens to focus on the novice riders, and have 'back to basics' jumping clinics that won't go over 2ft6".

However I think you would need basic control to be in a group lesson. If you cannot steer or control your horse, you'd be a liability and unsuitable for a group lesson.

Its a double edged sword as they rarely do clinics for me (I want to jump over 3ft)
 
I have served on a Riding Club Committee for my sins for 4 years and this type of thing used to come up quite frequently at our meetings. Obviously every riding club will be run slightly differently because there are different people making decision so I can only give my opinion.

A good trainer will be able to plan a lesson which caters for people of all different levels so I have never seen the need to split people down into different ability levels. As long as every rider is reasonably safe (we all fall off sometimes) and doesnt present a danger to other riders then any level of rider should be able to take part.

It was always difficult to cater for every members wishes and I think committees do tend to go for the most popular activities because in my experience, despite asking for certain types of activities members would rarely turn up and its soul destroying to put a lot of effort into organising a demo only to have to rope in family members to attend to save embarrassing the presenter/trainer.

Splitting training sessions into lower and higher level ability sessions would probably have the same effect....you would find that one session was oversubscribed and the other undersubscribed. Also some would only be able to attend one session and not the other so would end up having to decide whether to go for the wrong ability level or cease the training.

Personally I think all members should have equal access to training because every one has paid the same membership fee...I dont think that giving priority to yard members over those that have to load and travel their horse for some distance is the right way to go, so in my opinion I dont think that yard members should have priority.

I think you should go along to the training session and take part and focus on you and your horse, rather than worrying about the ability of other riders....or their flashier horses. The important thing is that you and your horse get something out of it and how everyone else rides is irrelvant.....enjoy yourself.
 
it does depend on the club tbh, but there are ones who cater for all albilities..
i am on the committee for my local RC and we have all sorts of abilities in our club, happy hackers to people who compete quite seriously.. we organise clinics and comps for novice and experienced riders and are very aware of ensuring all levels are catered for.!
i do however agree with CotswoldSJ about control in a group, the RC would most likely be liable for an accident should one occur and this could be one of the reasons they have said no to her.. could they not orgainse a private session instead.?
 
Ours caters for all levels and we do have a range of people and horses...our clinics and lessons are split up into novice, inters etc and we attend the qualifiers with novice and advanced teams so everyone gets a chance....

Regarding the yard policy thing - one of our instructors uses her yard for clinics and her liveries get invited to attend the classes or shows but i wouldnt say they get priority. RC Members are paying for this service afterall...
 
My daughter and i are members of our local RC and i think our RC mostly caters for all standards. Say for a group jumping lesson they are usually divided into groups of ability, my daughter did a xc clinic with sam griffiths arranged by our RC and she was the only child (being 12yrs old) but everyone was very simililar ability and am sure my daughter didnt hold anyone back infact she was jumping bigger than most of them.
 
I know it is impossible to please everyone. But having 1 our of 4 lessons as a 'back to basics' isn't a bad idea as I know of 4 of us (see theres the lesson there!) that would benefit from it even though we could take part in the normal lessons to.

I do want to compete, but I have a lot to work on still - but I am competent. I just want an assessment lesson to see if there is any point in me joining/taking part. And so I do begrudge having to join just to make sure that I can have a 'taster lesson' as they called them.

I am going to suggest it to them, because I worry that it will not set a good example if this person is excluded. The 2 teachers currently are Prix St George riders, but I do not feel that just because she is a total novice that she should not be entitled to that tuition. If she joins the club though and they did exclude her I think that they would put them selves at risk should she wish to complain higher up.

I also feel that the rider i mentioned would benefit greatly from an experiences person and a group environment. She can control the horse and has never had an accident on it, she is just not used to group lessons or school etiquette, and if she is never given the chance to learn/experience it then it cant be complained that she has not learnt.


Also, I am planning on doing as much as I can by way of helping to get perks as I quite enjoy that
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, and hopefully I can get a few free lessons or something. But the main reason I am joining is because of the training at the yard as out of the 5 they use this yard (mine) is the only one I can attend, and unless another member offered a lift I would not be attending shows on my horse - so these training sessions are it really. That is why I felt that yard members who cant travel (I should have mentioned that) should be given preferance over those that can and can therefore attend the other sessions. I unfortunately can only do these ones on the Thursday as they are on when I have him - all the other days my sharer has and I cant change about willy nilly as it is not fair on her - I am currently scared of asking her if I can have 2 Wednesdays a month so that I can take him SJ!
 
Our riding club caters for all levels. For example, at shows the classes for showjumping go from 2' to 3' and the lessons are split between the less and more experienced. It is geared towards getting the grass roots competitors out and gaining them more experience whilst catering for those who are riding at a slightly higher level.

To be honest, I would say that if you and your horse are capable of jumping 4 foot courses you should be up to standard in any riding club!
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I think it really does depend on the RC. I am on the committee and ride for one in Essex and our attitude is that anyone can have a go. Our SJ shows go from L/R to Open and our dressage starts with a Walk/Trot test that can be on L/R. Our end of year trophies also include a couple of L/R trophies.

We also will let anyone enter a qualifying/friendly team event if they want to. Yes we will put the 'better' people together in a potential qualifying team but we will not stop anyone if they want to try. We also use the friendlies to allow people to have a go at a level higher then normal if they wish.

There are a few clubs in the area that only choose the same people all the time because they only want the shiny red rosette
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HEHE, yes we can do 4ft - dont always keep the jumps up tho.

I realize I do sound like a total moaner
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- but just that a yard I was at previously started always having the school booked out to R.C's etc and I couldnt afford to join or attend the sessions so I never got to ride and eventually moved. And so I do worry of this happening again as me and a friend moved here for the very reason that you couldn't book the school.

Also I would feel very upset if this novice that I spoke of wasn't given the chance to improve as I know personally how soul destroying it can be when people tell you you are not good enough, or look down on you - folk used to think my horse was an ugly hairy fat cow/horse thing and not very good at anything - a year , some work and a set of clippers later and I get compliments (although I do think its more as folk are doing the - Ill say yours is nice if you say mins is nice thing - but thats a whole nother matter).
I have always wanted to be involved in the club/organization side of the horse world up here, but I did feel that I was looked down on for not wanting to compete/or being good enough but now I have decided sod that I'm going to do it anyway!! I think I would be good at it I if I can handle nearly 200 foreign students then whats a few horses people
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haha.
 
I'd give it a go

Teams in our club is interesting - having organised the SJ qualifiers, it was like pulling teeth to convince people to have a go!!
So you would not be looked down for not wanting to compete, you'd be the 'norm'!
 
our club is very good at encouraging people to join teams and compete for the club - there are two types of teams - points and qualifiers (if comp is a qualifier). If you are on a points team, there is not alot of pressure. Give it a go- riding clubs are supposed to be for fun!
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TBH I think all clubs differ. In my area, some are competitive, others arent. Some are more dressagey or SJ whereas others are more into training. Totally depends! I think you need to find the right club as they attract totally different people. I chose my club because it mainly does a lot of showjumping which is what I do. I left my last club because it was more into dressage and training. I was a member of another smaller club last year purely for the subsidised training because it was very near me!
 
Our riding club caters for all levels of rider and horse. We have a camp every year and you can do as much or as little as you want,they really do try to encourage even the most nervous of riders. the thing i really like about our RC is that they also do lots of 'baby' lessons/clinics designed for either the young horse or novice riders. I can't wait till i can take my youngster to her first clinic, they've been very informative in the past. I try not to compare myself to others in the RC as we all have very different goals and our horses and us are working at different levels. I try to concentrate on what i'm trying to achieve with my mare, at the moment it's trust and i'm trying to get her listening to me rather spooking and reacting to the smallest of things,we've got a long road but i'm taking things very slowly. My goal in the future is to eventually compete in the team events as it seems a fun thing to do. Good luck and i hope you enjoy your lessons.
 
Our club's a bit odd, and can be very frustrating. It tends to cater for leisure riders rather than competitive riders, but some of their social things can be fun. However, sometimes I feel like I've joined a branch of the WI rather than a riding club!

We struggle to get people for teams as there are few people prepared to travel for area qualifiers, never mind UK championships. Our club's based on the east coast of Scotland and our area qualifiers are at least a good three hours drive away in the west - that's for show jumping, hunter trials, horse trials and dressage.

The next nearest club is very competitive, but the training they have on offer is too far away from where I live and I would have to take days off work to attend them. So, I tend to do things under my own steam.

I do, however, ensure I lend a hand at my riding club events (we have at least two competitions a year) as I know these days are a big deal to a lot of people and it's good to encourage the more novice rider to have a go.
 
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This popped into my head after hearing a 'discussion' last night about training sessions that have just started at my yard. I am in no way having a go at they people running the club or yard, this is just something I wondered.

Basically girl at yard interested in training sessions - she can walk/trot/canter and do a small jump, but technically is not very good and she can be a wee bit of a liability in the school (not good at controlling temper etc). Her skills were discussed and it was said that she was not of a level that is the same of the other riders in the club and so she would hinder the other members.



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I live near Aberdeen and am probably a member of whichever club you are talking about. I am a member of different ones for different things! I am a member of Findon / Nerc for the winter leagues so i don't get balloted for being a non-member; and gordon dressage group for cheaper entry fees and their training sessions.

I have to say if someone who "can't control their temper" ended up sharing a training session with me i can assure you if they did anything to put me or my horse in any sort of danger - by this i mean screaming/booting/belting round/ whacking et al, I would go out of my way to make sure they were permanently banned from club activities. Any instructor worth their salt would not tolerate behavior like that either as any accident would be on their insurance.

I have what i can only imagine you would describe as a "flashy" horse, and i am a good rider and would generally go to these type of training sessions in the winter purely as a session in an indoor school rather than a personal lesson which it looks like you are wanting. I have no clue which sessions you watched but the ones i have been too involve people working their horses individually not as a "ride" like at a riding school.

Why don't you arrange for an instructor to come to give a group session to the 4 people of a similar lesson standard at your own convenience rather than depending on the riding club sessions for lessons. I am unsure who the 2 Prix st geaorge riders are as I am unaware of 2 that teach up here - but perhaps a good all round instructor may be of more use to you to build your confidence. Maybe changing permenantly to wednesdays with your sharer may be a solution.

The fact you are stabled at the yard is irrelevant to the riding club sessions, they are paying to hire the facilities for their members regardless of where they keep their horses - the fact you are "missing out" on a couple of hours once a fortnight is not really relevant to their prioritizing.

I am sure NO riding club would turn away people keen to help(actually thats a lie NERC has) Findon definitely give helper vouchers (usually about £3,50 towrds a club activity) for every couple of hours you help.

There are many clubs about in this area which cater towards both competitive and non-competitive riders (Ythan, stonehven, deeside etc) so if the one you are talking about is a competitive one then the fact they are not really novicey is understandable!
 
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I have always wanted to be involved in the club/organization side of the horse world up here, but I did feel that I was looked down on for not wanting to compete/or being good enough but now I have decided sod that I'm going to do it anyway!! I think I would be good at it I if I can handle nearly 200 foreign students then whats a few horses people
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haha.

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I am on the committee of our local riding club and we love people who don't compete as they are more likely to be available to help out at shows - as everyone else involved with RCs will know -you can never get enough helpers!
 
I am a member of 2 local riding clubs.

One i will prob never attend on horseback as it's just a bit too far to hack to and the 2nd I can only go to a few flatwork training sessions as i am not into jumping and I don't have transport so this limits me. BUT I am more than happy to help out at events, shows, clinics etc that they organise so it's not all about riding.

They both offer a first come first served system so no one is restricted. Re if you are on the yard in question or not, they do different disciplines at different venues then I suppose the problem of only being available to people at that yard doesn't apply.

Sessions are grouped into beginner, intermediate and advanced and for jumping the heights too.

Most instructors i know wouldn't be backwards in coming forwards if they thought someone was 'dangerous' or not 'playing the game' and therefore a liability to the rest of the group or session, so i would assume they would have a word with the person in question if they were causing problems!

As for the type of horse you have, who cares? as long as you get something out of it and improve as the weeks go on, at your own pace/level and get enjoyment out of it then that's what it's all about.

I have a cob and when people with 'fancy' horses ask what type of horse I have I see them switch off when I say cob.
I have a friend with a very good and talented dressage horse. She is dying for me to get to her yard one day for a lesson as she says everyone (they are a dressage yard) would be gob smacked to see my cob and the way he moves, she'd like to see their faces!!

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Sorry no time to read the other replies, but your riding club should cater for everyone, beginner to olympic champion
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I was on the comittee of my local one and we tried to cater for all. You do find however that clubs tend to be seen to be for a certain sector of abilities. Some are more competitive etc. If you are jumping 4' then you should be fine unless its a seriously competitive club.
 
I've been a member of a couple of RCs, some good and some not so good.

Most cater for all standards. Club lessons/rallies are a great (affordable) way of improving. I don't see why the levels shouldn't be mixed on the flat - if you're working in open order a good instructor should be able to have everybody working on something useful. Jumping, you really need everybody on similar levels so that you don't have to keep putting the jumps up and down + is probably best to have similar size horses in the lesson for the striding.

As for riders who are a liabilty and not mindful of other horses/riders - they should probably stick to learning solo until they can demonstrate a little more control.

Don't necessarily think priority should be given to yard residents. Should be on a members, first to book basis.
 
i think beau is the best looking horse in the world besides patrick of course, and maybe Manzi cos hes just a big teddy bear...

so theres nout wrong wit cobs if u want a flashy horse dont get a cob they rnt meant for dazzling, he is still the best lookin cob in the world and also dont assume cos their horses r nice tht they r snobs.
 
Jello I do find it interesting that you have soley replied to THIS post. And it also makes me wonder why someone felt it was obviously soo important to let you know that this post was here.

No doubt I will be excluded from these sessions as I would say that you more than likely will know/find out how I am. I am not slagging off this particular riding club - I was merely questioning policies, as it is not something that is written on their web pages or really made known. And unless you are involved with them how are you to know they are a competitive club?

There is nothing wrong with my confidence, I just that I think there is no harm in going back to basics. I am not after a private lesson - I have had enough of them as it is - I have always done better in group lessons. Also I did not say they were riding as a "ride" - nor would I expect them to be as they are all at slightly different levels.

My aim was/is to be in a club that is able/willing to welcome people that want to compete at lower levels. I do not think I am a brilliant rider - if I had a different horse then I would more than likely be doing a lot more, and to a higher standard than I am at.

But anyway............Like my friend just told me - its only a forum. Whats said on here should remain on here and should NOT cross over into real life - grudges etc.

I am sending off my membership form this weekend - So I'll just wait and see what happens.
 
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Jello I do find it interesting that you have soley replied to THIS post. And it also makes me wonder why someone felt it was obviously soo important to let you know that this post was here.

No doubt I will be excluded from these sessions as I would say that you more than likely will know/find out how I am. I am not slagging off this particular riding club - I was merely questioning policies, as it is not something that is written on their web pages or really made known. And unless you are involved with them how are you to know they are a competitive club?

There is nothing wrong with my confidence, I just that I think there is no harm in going back to basics. I am not after a private lesson - I have had enough of them as it is - I have always done better in group lessons. Also I did not say they were riding as a "ride" - nor would I expect them to be as they are all at slightly different levels.

My aim was/is to be in a club that is able/willing to welcome people that want to compete at lower levels. I do not think I am a brilliant rider - if I had a different horse then I would more than likely be doing a lot more, and to a higher standard than I am at.

But anyway............Like my friend just told me - its only a forum. Whats said on here should remain on here and should NOT cross over into real life - grudges etc.

I am sending off my membership form this weekend - So I'll just wait and see what happens.

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I think this is one of the main reasons i lurk and couldn't remember my login details so had to start a new one - I can assure you your paranoia is unwarranted. I have no clue who you are i have merely responded to your post asking for peoples thoughts.

I have nothing to do with any otf the committees of these clubs I am merely a member who uses them as i stated for different purposes. As I also said there are clubs around in this area that cater for people wanting to compete at lower levels and there is nothing wrng with doing that.

Findon have on their website the fact that they have won at the championships/area qualifiers this year, and that they host BSJA competions etc. Nerc also have their results up. Gordon dressage group has some Scottish team riders and those who compete Advanced medium upwards affiliated (they also host affiliated BD competitions as their main competitions.)

Your original post was percieved to me to be about "another girl" who you felt should be given a chance but had "temper issues", it was she who i was refering to as I made clear in my post - and have not a clue who she is in "real life" anyway (nor can i say do i have any wish to find out). But should ANYONE be a liability to me or my horse(and everyone else in proximity) I would not just keep quiet and nor should i be expected to.

I question why you think you would be banned but if you in fact are "the other girl" then perhaps you should wait a while before partaking in a group session with people you don't know.

What you must always remember is that this is a public forum and ANYONE can view stuff without logging in or being a registered user. You have put you are in Aberdeen at the side and are talking about riding clubs in the area so "real life" people may respond.

I don't know which club you are joining but am sure they will be delighted to have someone who wishes to help on the organisational side - as another poster stated, riding clubs generally love them as the people who are competing can't /won't help.
 
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