Rubbish lesson - really disapointed

asommerville

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Had a lesson with a well know show jumper last night, was told by loads of people that he was really good and I really wanted to enjoy it, but I didnt :-(

My 6 year old has NEVER in his life stopped at a fence, yet he stopped loads, instructor said the horse wasnt going fast enough and I had to push him on more, I felt like I was actually rallying him round the school and flinging him at the jumps!

Was supposed to be taking him to a show tomorrow and now I am not looking forward to it, think i'll go back to my way cos it was working but i feel like he has learnt something bad and took nothing at all from the lesson, what a waste of money!

Suppose I just need to forget about it and move on!
 
that's awful! sounds like you know best,.

speed is just that, speed without balance and correct approach is wrong especially with a young horse, jumping is power, you are training a sjumper not a racehorse.

we've all met people like that bloke, don't forget him, remember next time to sit in on a lesson and watch before spending hard earned money and giving a genuine horse a bad experience.
 
How disappointing for you. It's always frustrating when you think something's going to be great because other have recommended it - you end up thinking it must be your fault it didn't go right, when really it's just down to different strokes for different folks. A tiny silver lining from this sort of thing is that you learn that you have different needs to those who gave the recommendation so at least you now know for the future that what they found useful you probably will not!

Hope the show goes well to give you a boost.:)
 
Instructors are a personal choice, not every one will like the same instructor. Maybe he likes to ride his horses that way, and so ends up with ones that suit that purpose. If your two approaches don't mix, and you are getting on fine your way, then the outcome won't be great. If that makes sense. I know what I mean haha.

I'd try not to lose heart over it, but try a different instructor next time. And good luck tomorrow!
 
thanks folks, wish i hadnt bothered, jumped him.last weekend and he was super, should have left it at that. will jump him a couple of x poles tonihht make sure he hasnt lost his bottle. im.sure hell be fine - i hope! just disapointed and annoyed with myself..

thanks for the good luck well need it its his first time jumping away from home!!
 
I had a lesson once with a show jumper that went exactly the same!!
Apparently my horse was lazy and not forwards and the person had me hitting my horse and 'flying' around.
I felt like I was just galloping into the fences, didn't matter apparently if stride was wrong. My horse didn't stop but he knocked practically every jump down was awful.
I understand that to jump 1m50 you have to be motoring on somewhat but over a metre?! I wasn't convinced.
Anyway I left feeling totally demoralised with a very sweaty, tired fed up horse and £50 the poorer.
We did both forget about the experience though, I'm sure your horse will be fine :).
 
I had this on a xc clinic with a well known name, very dissapointed, all they said was we all needed to slow right down, we did as they said and had stops left right and centre in the group, it just didnt feel right i'd never had any before, by the end i just rode how i always did so we finished on a good note and she went great, trainer then had the cheek to come over and say " now that was xc riding" :rolleyes: i mate and it was no thanks to you !!!
The best xc training day ive had was with David Gatherer. He is fantastic
 
thats good to know marydoll we havent tried xc yetand id really like a lesson with him!! been trying to find dates!
 
He has regular training days at Greenfields of avondale and at Gleneagles with the odd day at strathearn eventing, well worth it, he just seems to " get " the horses and reads theirs and the riders needs so well
 
I've been through several to get to current. She's odd but great. Very no nonsense but doesn't believe in carrying a whip on forward horse, encourages use of voice and praise, tit bits etc. One I tried on the way tried to make me hit pony with upside down whip. Pony is most honest genuine animal in the world, if she stops I got something wrong or she's hurting so why hit her? New instructor either tells me how to get it right and we try again or asks what feels wrong with pony. We work together as a 3 rather than instructor dictating and me demanding. Much better results. Instructor is like anything else. Shop around. Find one that's perfect fit!
 
Aw how awful for you! Shame isn't it when your so hopeful for it to be great!
I was also under the impression it's not speed but impulusion that you need?!
Anywho I had a xc clinic that I was really looking forward to, first with my new horse, never been xc before, and it was awful :( was really disappointed, didn't feel like I was being instructed at all! Not good! :(
 
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