The truth hurts! Anyone else..

C

Crazy_cat_lady

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 January 2012
Messages
8,204
Visit site
Previously been lead to believe they are a good rider then get taught by an instructor who actually knows what they are talking about then realise actually you are not that good!

Am learning a whole lot more with instructorI have now but with previous ones the focus was solely on getting my spooky stopper from one side of the jump to the other and i was good because I could get him to do that.

Now the focus is on me/ it's getting bigger and more technical I'm struggling and feel sorry for the poor horse when I make bad mistakes!

Am pleased I'm getting my money's worth and agree completely with what instructor is saying just starting to wonder if I'm capable or if I should stick to hacking/ flatwork/ tiny jumps

This is not at all a moan about instructor btw as I do learn a lot from them and Deff get a lesson that is worth the money!
 
Last edited:
Sounds to me as if your new instructor is pushing you to do things you are uncomfortable with or not ready for, which is knocking your confidence. Are you sure this is the right instructor for you? Your riding instructor should be building your confidence - not knocking it si badly you feel like giving up doing the things you enjoy.
 
I have had one before that did that, I do get what they are saying completely as I don't want to be doing 2"6" jumps forever and now horse is actually making a proper shape as instructor has helped improve his way of jumping its highlighting my position is naff which is why I get thrown forward when he jumps properly. Just wondering if I am capable of jumping big after all...
 
Quite agree Clare. My SJ coach has got us up to jumping over a metre in less than a year and none of it has been painful or scary. In fact its been a total joy of a journey.
 
I think it's more of a case that now the focus has now shifted back to you and the fences have got bigger it's made you feel a bit novicy?
In which case you can need to remind yourself that you do actually know what you are doing and you're just fixing whatever needs to be fixed. There are so many things on the flat that can be done to cement your position and your instructor should be able to give some exercises to do in between lessons.
 
Broke_But_Happy said:
I think it's more of a case that now the focus has now shifted back to you and the fences have got bigger it's made you feel a bit novicy?
In which case you can need to remind yourself that you do actually know what you are doing and you're just fixing whatever needs to be fixed. There are so many things on the flat that can be done to cement your position and your instructor should be able to give some exercises to do in between lessons.
Click to expand...

Think that's exactly it! And as they are bigger I'm over fretting about what stride etc though have been given some exercises on seeing a stride to work on.

Also I think it's because he is prone to stopping I tend to do some dodgy light/ safety seat rather than proper jumping position. ..
For some reason my position looks quite good in the photos I have from sponsored rides over xc type fences any idea why this would be?
 
Last edited:
I think most of us can't see a stride until it's too late & trying to only damages rhythm & balance setting us back before hopefully moving forwards. I hang my head in shame when it comes to seeing a stride but also think most horses can manage average - decent jumps on dodgy strides if allowed to. Good luck :)
 
The new instructor must feel you are capable otherwise they wouldn't be pushing you - but if you are feeling a little uncomfortable at what he/she is asking you to do then tell them!

You are the paying customer after all - keep having the lessons - it sounds like you're doing great - just maybe you need to take a slower pace to get to your goal :)
 
me&Harvey said:
I have had one before that did that, I do get what they are saying completely as I don't want to be doing 2"6" jumps forever and now horse is actually making a proper shape as instructor has helped improve his way of jumping its highlighting my position is naff which is why I get thrown forward when he jumps properly. Just wondering if I am capable of jumping big after all...
Click to expand...


Would it be worth asking RI if you can practise your position over slightly lower jumps until you feel completely comfortable at that height and your position is established?
 
Pearlsacarolsinger said:
Would it be worth asking RI if you can practise your position over slightly lower jumps until you feel completely comfortable at that height and your position is established?
Click to expand...

Think I may do that as he's started pinging over high crosses if I trot to it with a pole in front so may ask to do that then down the other side have a low upright with a canter stride for seeing strides. Trouble is he tends to just flop over small ones so position deficiencies are less highlighted.

He's also a sod for stopping if it changes/ is scary

Might have a quiet play on my own over little ones while I'm off and practice going into jumping position over the poles I'll use for striding practice.

I was jumping 1m courses in the summer/ wide spreads albeit not high ones with current instructor but seem to be having some mental block/ overthinking stuff atm
 
It's tricky with instructors, you don't want to come away from the lesson feeling crap, but you do want to feel like you've learnt something or picked up on something you're doing wrong.

I used to jump, and thought I was okay, but looking back I realise I was a complete passenger and I just had very honest ponies :p
 
I would just.be honest with your instructor and tell her exactly what you are feeling! I laid cards on table with my coach as she did with me couple mths ago and difference is unbelievable. felt as if weight lifted off my shoulders. be honest with her about how you are feeling and you may be pleasantly surprised!
 
me&Harvey said:
Previously been lead to believe they are a good rider then get taught by an instructor who actually knows what they are talking about then realise actually you are not that good!

Am learning a whole lot more with instructorI have now but with previous ones the focus was solely on getting my spooky stopper from one side of the jump to the other and i was good because I could get him to do that.

Now the focus is on me/ it's getting bigger and more technical I'm struggling and feel sorry for the poor horse when I make bad mistakes!

Am pleased I'm getting my money's worth and agree completely with what instructor is saying just starting to wonder if I'm capable or if I should stick to hacking/ flatwork/ tiny jumps

This is not at all a moan about instructor btw as I do learn a lot from them and Deff get a lesson that is worth the money!
Click to expand...


It's lovely to hear your happy with your instructor. Just keep at it! Ambitions should be praised at all times. Aim high keep your head and heart in it, stay focused and you'll succeed one day!
 
Wondering if I should stick to flatwork just I do find it dull!

Having a little cry now doesn't help I'm tired so feeling over emotional!

He is 17 so maybe I should stick to little fences if I do jump but then he was doing ok over the 1m ones when I wasn't being a complete useless burden!
 
You're a normal human being not some kind of superhuman god, you're trying to learn something new and since you're only human it won't happen overnight. Keep practicing, you're no more useless than anyone else! One day you'll be consistently good.
 
me&Harvey said:
Wondering if I should stick to flatwork just I do find it dull!

Having a little cry now doesn't help I'm tired so feeling over emotional!

He is 17 so maybe I should stick to little fences if I do jump but then he was doing ok over the 1m ones when I wasn't being a complete useless burden!
Click to expand...


Hey smile :), don't let this get you down. Give your horse a big hug, try to remember why you love them and try put the demons to the back of your head and continue to enjoy him.

Chin up!
 
RainbowDash said:
The new instructor must feel you are capable otherwise they wouldn't be pushing you - but if you are feeling a little uncomfortable at what he/she is asking you to do then tell them!

You are the paying customer after all - keep having the lessons - it sounds like you're doing great - just maybe you need to take a slower pace to get to your goal :)
Click to expand...


This exactly. It sounds like you are doing really well, just maybe need to take things a bit slower. Speak to your instructor, tell them how you feel and you want to take things a little slower, otherwise he/she will assume you're happy with how things are going, and nothing will change, you'll feel out of your depth, you'll avoid having lessons then you'll stop altogether - and that won't do anyone any good will it?

Oooh that sounded very assertive of me didn't it??? (can you tell I've been in a similar position? Speaking to my instructor worked for me, and it can work for you too!)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top