Total amateur having lessons with top level coaches

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pnap

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Andrew Gould is coming to do a training clinic at my yard soon and I would actually like to get a lesson with him - not that I am looking to do serious dressage competition but just that I always think if these opportunities present themselves then why not? However, I'm nervous that he'll take one look at my riding and pee himself riding wondering why the hell me and the donkey are wasting his time - though similarly if I'm paying the same money as everyone else then what's his worry? So, has anyone had a lesson with him and if so what is he like? What is the general consensus - should I waste his time or should I leave the slots for those a bit more serious about dressage? I just want to improve our flatwork and this seems like a good chance to get some decent instruction.
 
Your money is as good as anyone elses, why should you feel an less important than anyone else, I'm sure he would not think that of you, if anything he might enjoy teaching those who are less 'up there' it may be a breath of fresh air to him.

You go for it and enjoy your lesson, thats my view anyway

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go for it.my daughter will be having lessons witsomeone whose a trainer at international level.i think she enjoys seeing people progress at all levels and im sure he would too.
 
Go for it! I haven’t had a lesson with Andrew Gould but have had lessons with two top level riders (one dressage, one showjumping), and I really got something out of the lessons! The SJ-ing person, did almost choked at first when he saw I had a cob but at the end of the lesson he just couldn’t stop praising him (said it was really nice to teach such an obedient horse). So I say go and enjoy, bet you pick up some great tips.
 
People seem to forget that professionals make their living teaching people. It's not like he's doing you a favour.
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My experience has been that really top people are actually MORE welcoming (generalising, obviously - pros come in all models, just like any other group of people) to anyone who genuinely wants to learn because they are interested in their subject and secure in their knowledge. Most of the people I've seen being difficult about students being "below their ability" have not actually been that special and feel that somehow by judging others they shore up their own status. People with real status don't need to play games. I've seen more than one Olympian teach everyone from kids on ponies to novice adults to upper level riders on the same day.
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Come willing to learn and I'm sure he'll be happy to teach you.

From all reports Andrew is professional and pleasant. He's agreed to teach the clinic and if he hasn't set any limitation on who can enter (which sometimes can be the case if there are limited spots, particularly if they're also selling tickets to auditors) then it's come one, come all. The only thing you might ask whomever is putting on the clinic if there is a minimum requirement. I saw someone come to a Mark Todd clinic once who was barely jumping x poles . . . that was a bit awkward.

Go for it. It sounds like a great opportunity and I'm sure you'll get a lot out of it.
 
No I appreciate it's not a favour - I'll be paying the buggar! But similarly I don't want to make a complete arse of myself but am keen to improve my riding so I can help the horse. Was going to share a lesson with another lady who is also not under any illusions we're going to be doing Grand Prix at 2012 so think we'll do that - 45 mins for £50 with a top level coach seems more than reasonable to me.
 
As long as he's happy teaching a novice then I don't see why not (I say that because some riders only teach above a certain level).
Good luck - enjoy yourself!
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Kate x
 
Yes go for it. I'm sure your selling yourself short here - but I think as long as you listen and try to follow their coaching it will be great. I had some lessons with someone who usually worked with far more advanced riders, I asked him the same and was almost apologetic, he said that teaching someone at a more basic level can be quite refreshing, as we can be even more receptive to ideas and take things on board.
I think the price is OK and it will be a great experience.
 
I havn't had a lesson with andrew gould before but i have had a lesson from another dressage rider. I was having them on a hanavaren stallion who i did upto medium level on. But one week i had a lesson on Lucy my 13.2hh welsh type chestnut mare who hates schooling. The instructor was very good though she did laugh at me but that was because lucy wouldn't canter so she told me to smack her with the whip and Lucy stopped dead. She said she had never known a horse do that before. I realy enjoyed the lesson and i don't think i wasted her time my money was as good as anyone elses. So i say go for it it's an opitunity and i think £50 for 45mins is very good.
 
Go for it - in my old job we regularly had various fairly high level trainers onto the yard, and I always tried to get places as soon as I knew they were happening. I am no rider (not like most other people who came along to these clinics) and my horse was never great - but it is a great experience to be having lessons with these kind of trainers.

Do it do it do it
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that seems like a more than fair price to me i would go for it seems like too good a opportunity to miss to me. I am sure as long as you do what he tells you and take the lesson seriously he will have no problem with teaching you at all
 
I say always pay for the best trainer you can find. They are there to teach you to become a better rider, not to judge you. Some trainers only teach above a certain level which I suppose is fair enough if their time is limited and they are very in demand.

Andrew is lovely. I once went to look at one of his horse's for sale and it was much greener than I had expected, had a huge trot I couldn't sit on at all, but he was really helpful and kind of gave me a lesson and didn't make me feel like a complete prat! At the end of the day he's seen it all before so don't worry!
 
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Your money is as good as anyone elses, why should you feel an less important than anyone else, I'm sure he would not think that of you, if anything he might enjoy teaching those who are less 'up there' it may be a breath of fresh air to him.

You go for it and enjoy your lesson, thats my view anyway

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I agree with Kenzo
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I'm off to Talland in 4 weeks and have 2 lessons with Brian Hutton booked - jump lessons. I get vertigo over 2ft6, hate cantering to jumps and my position probably leaves a lot to be desired! However he is meant to be one of the best, and I figure if anyone has the experience and knowledge to help me, he does
 
Have the lesson!! A mate was worrying the same thing about an instructor - I think in fact it was Andrew Gould visiting Fountain? She didnt regret it. I would be nervous to, but I would also be very interested on what they would be able to contribute to my riding! I remember once having a 30 min lesson by some guy (I want to say Spencer Witton (sp?) but not sure) who taught Carl Hester - this is back in 97 and it was fab as I had it on one of the stud horses where I worked. I cant remember much of what I was told now, but it must have been good advise as the net one I saw thought I had been riding for a LOT longer than I had - as it was only 3 years at that point.
 
Definitely go for it, have only ever heard good about Andrew Gould. I felt the same way as you a couple of years ago, but am now enjoying regular lessons with top trainers. As long as you are seen to be trying they are very encouraging regardless of your level.

Just one tip - try and think of something that you would like to work on in your lesson as they quite often ask you that (and I felt a lemon not being able to think of anything!!).

Enjoy.............
 
OP- I know exactly where you are coming from. I had the opportunity to have a lesson with Spencer Wilton - and didn't. You see, my horse is black and white and hairy and short, not tall, dark and elegant - we simply shouldn't have been there, we 'knew our place'..........

Major mistake on my part. I really regret seeing what he would have thought of my girly and I missed the opportunity to have a fresh pair of very expert eyes cast over what we actually COULD do. I missed out. Go for it.
 
As someone else said, for the vast majority of professional riders, their bread and butter is teaching the "ordinary" rider.

Andrew Gould is no exception - and, in common with most instructors, the only thing he is likely to get irritated about is if the rider doesn't listen and try to work on the exercises that he will suggest.

That doesn't mean you have to be pefect - why would you want lessons if you were? Just go into the session with honesty about you and your horse's abilities and be willing to work.
 
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