Type of lesson

[teapot]

Regardless of what level you're training at/who's horse you are riding etc, and whether it's at home/away, if you were swapping coaches for the human element, not horse, after a lengthly period of time, and maybe were not feeling at your best confidence wise, would you prefer trying a new one privately, or in a group/clinic setting first?

I think I know what my answer is, but could be overthinking the ifs/buts/what happens ifs of a new situation and you guys are a rational sort (usually ...)

 

[Tiddlypom]

I'd go for 1:1 in this situation.

Though if you don't gel with the new instructor, there is less opportunity to hide in a corner doing your own thing...

 

[Fire sign]

Always go for a one to one lesson at first as it gives the instructor the very best chance to assess you and show you how they teach

 

[ruth83]

As a coach, I would prefer you to come to me on a 1:1 basis first in this sort of situation. It makes it much easier to get to know you, fully understand what you and your horse have going on and allows us to tailor the session to you.

I run novice and nervous clinics so I do often have riders struggling with their confidence turning up to clinics as their first session - but the circumstance means everyone there will have similar challenges. That isn't always the case with a clinic session.

 

[milliepops]

Private for me. i want that 1:1 attention to really suss out whether that person and I are a good fit. teaching a shared lesson is a challenge some people aren't that brilliant at so you can end up a bit short changed in terms of their full attention - not just in terms of instruction, but in terms of building up that pupil-coach relationship.

 

[teapot]

Thanks all - so I am thinking the right way, and that being encouraged to try a new coach in a group, not a private, wouldn't be the best thing...

Hmmm.

 

[Roxylola]

It depends a bit though, if that's a group you'd be riding with I think its worth cracking on and seeing how you get on with the coach and group as a whole. It's nice to have a one on one as an introduction but could be a bit intense all round maybe. And, at the moment possibly a bit nicer to have a minute here and there in walk - its ridiculously hot at the moment and sometimes especially if you have a decent rider it's easy to crack on a bit too much on a private

 

[teapot]

It depends a bit though, if that's a group you'd be riding with I think its worth cracking on and seeing how you get on with the coach and group as a whole. It's nice to have a one on one as an introduction but could be a bit intense all round maybe. And, at the moment possibly a bit nicer to have a minute here and there in walk - its ridiculously hot at the moment and sometimes especially if you have a decent rider it's easy to crack on a bit too much on a private

It's not the group dynamic I have my concerns over and privates don't bother me intensity wise, my post simply relates to trying someone new and the best way of doing so.