Riding Instructors

Pony you would most like to take home

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S

Shilasdair

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Hi all
I'm just curious about riding instruction available in the equine industry...and wondered if you would fill in my poll...
Thanks
S
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I have a lesson every week. Once a fortnight on the flat and once a fortnight jumping. I have 2 different instructors. The flat instructor is a BHSI(SM) and ex dressage judge. She charges 40/h. My jumping instructor is a BHSAI and a BSJA accredited coach and charges 30/h. I am happy with the content of lessons with both of them but would perhaps just like some 'homework' off either of them of things I should work on before the next lesson. Sometimes they do this and sometimes not.
 
Although my instructor is BHSAI, I don't think qualifications make for a good instructor, it's their experience and real understanding of how a horse goes and their ability to pass the knowledge on. Some BHSAI I've had teach me in the past have been a waste of money.
I also think age doesn't come into it. I've had super lessons from a girl in her early twenties and learnt more in 3/4 hour than umpteen lessons with an older instuctor.
Jane
 
Lessons - once in a blue moon - less than one a year at the moment although I know they should be more often.

I'm not interested in qualifications, I'm interested in a trainer I can relate to and understand, who knows what I am aiming for and can give me a training schedule to work to.
 
I haven't had a lesson in ages. I've found it really hard to find a suitable instructor. I had one that was really good, but very "sergeant major" and they didn't make any allowances for my less brave days. The other one I had was nice, but we didn't actually achieve anything - it was just like having a mate watch and give advice.

I think my ideal instructor would, first of all, ride my horse so they are aware of his capabilities and limitations. Then find out what my capabilities are and how confident I am and tailor the lesson to suit both of us - pushing us enough to get a good result, but being understanding if on that particular day I am feeling a bit wobbly!
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I have lessons about every two or three weeks, alternating between my instructor who used to be my YO who I go to for lessons on my share horse and my boss who I have lessons with on her own horses.
Boss is BHSII but that doesn't bother me, she has competed up to 3* eventing and is very good at teaching and getting ideas across, plus she is a member of the TTT and keeps up to date with all the new ideas. That to me is worth more than a BHS qualification. YO did take BHS exams, I think she got to BHSI, but isn't on the list any more. She has competed pretty high in dressage (not sure how high, she's currently at Medium though with the two horses she has now and has definitely gone beyond that before) and I like her because not only is she easily accessible (I hack over to her yard) but she is a very good instructor and I also get on really really well with her.
Boss charges £20/half hour, YO charges £25/hour (ish, usually more like 45 mins). Of course I ride boss's own horses so I don't mind paying the extra with her, but it's also the same price if I were to take my own horse.
I get everything I want from my instructors - boss is happy to help with advice on riding and horse care, and as she runs a livery yard she also offers other services such as (obviously) livery, clipping/trimming/plaiting etc. YO obviously is in the livery side too, she does take horses in for schooling but other than that there's nothing else she offers. However she is one of the best people I have ever come across for giving advice and helping wherever possible - my horse went lame on Friday evening and I was perfectly happy to ask for her advice and opinion as I couldn't call my vet. She is also always happy to discuss training/competition plans with anyone.
Between my two instructors I get pretty much everything I need!
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I have lessons every so often... Havent had one for ages at the moment though! My intructor is either an ii or an i... not sure what one! but shes a qualified RWYM intructor and is completly and utterly amazing
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. Qualifications don't bother me at all, it all comes down to a teacher i trust, particularly if riding my own horse, as their are very few instructors I would allow to ride them, and its something instructors seem to want to do at some point, so it has to be somebody whos riding i approve of, as well as teaching
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I have a flatwork lesson every other week (only just started to though), I'm not sure what qualifications my instructor holds, but she's great. She charges £20 an hour, and it's between 3 of us, so works out at £7 each.
I have a jumping lesson once a month, with a lovely lady who events, again, not sure what qualifications she hold's, but I look upto her, like her way of teaching, and if she's managed to get around Bramham etc, and is teaching us the same, it's all good! She charges £50 for 1 1/2 hour sesh, which is split into 2 groups- that works out at £12.50 each.

I'm not bothered about what qualifications someone holds- it's how they teach me that I'm interested in.
 
Before my accident I Was having 1-2 lessons a week with my instructor. Since my accident, my instructor now rides Ralph twice a week, so I have a fantastic service
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Have lessons with a BD trainer once a month when she ventures up North, and weekly lessons with a BHSI who used to event and now does PSG dressage. She is incredibly helpful and seems to get the best from me and my horses. Can't ask for more than that!
 
I have a lesson every week from one instructor and one a month from another. Not sure if they have any qualifications but they both compete in dressage, one at top level and one at elementary. They both give me things to work on and will ride my horse if I can't.
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They are both very good for me in slightly different ways
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Personally, I don't want anything else from them.
 
I had to giggle at the last question.

My 'riding instructor' is my OH
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wonder what 'extras' I am getting off him?!?

Was having weekly lessons with Charlotte Ridley when I was liveried there, now have a lesson a month with Chris McGran if I can afford it.

My OH is an AI and was trained by Chris, so they teach in a similar manner - he's brilliant for my confidence.
 
My main trainer is an ex advanced event rider, i only ever use pros as to me the proof is in the pudding, i know many BHS instructors and to be honest they cant ride.
 
I get a lesson once a fortnight but from now on it will only be monthly as my instructor has a new job. We pay £15 for half an hour though often she runs over if trying to sort out a particular problem. Other services I'd like from an instructor are advice about tack eg if someone's saddle was a poor fit I would hope the instructor would draw this to their attention. Or if they think a different bit would be better for your horse.
I also welcome my instuctor's opinion on soundness as I am always worrying that there is something wrong with my horse and she always puts my mind at rest.
 
Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply.
I take the point that there are good and bad BHS instructors, and good and bad professionals (or should that be bad 'professionals'
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), and also that there is often an overlap between professional riders and BHS instructors.
The average price is around £24 per session....and it is interesting that quite a significant proportion of you/us would like lessons as part of a training plan towards competition or perhaps just self improvement.
Thanks again
S
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