What do you do if...

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rlhnlk

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I'm musing thing's over and I'm looking for opinions:

What would you do if your instructor doesn't believe in your aims and you know it?

So say if you want to reach a level in dressage, and you think it is realistic, and you've had the chat with yourself about whether you're being delusional and you don't think you are, but they clearly don't see it as realistic?

Would you stick with them and get over it and still aim, stick with them and accept they're right or look for someone else?

Interested to hear anyone's thoughts :)
 
It would depend if I valued their lessons and thought they improved me. If I did, I'd carry on, its only their opinion (and may be right!), but there is no harm in aiming higher. Unless its going to really upset you if you don't make it.
 
This happened to me, pony was bought from a riding school and could do nothing but go round and round the school. Instructor said that he will get better and improve but will never get the best dressage marks....

So, 3 months later we get 71.3% and 73.6% at prelim.
I still use my instructor as she really gets the pony going well and has tought me loads, but me and the pony like to suprise her as to what we can do ;)

(i would just like to say instructor is never nasty or anything when she says this, she just tries to be realistic)
 
rlhnlk said:
I'm musing thing's over and I'm looking for opinions:

What would you do if your instructor doesn't believe in your aims and you know it?

So say if you want to reach a level in dressage, and you think it is realistic, and you've had the chat with yourself about whether you're being delusional and you don't think you are, but they clearly don't see it as realistic?

Would you stick with them and get over it and still aim, stick with them and accept they're right or look for someone else?

Interested to hear anyone's thoughts :)
Click to expand...

Nope get rid. Instructors, teachers whoever should support peoples aspirations and help them to strive and hopefully achieve them. No one can tell someone that they cannot achieve or that they will not be successful. Yes give constructive critism but if the student believes they are capable then the instructor should do everything in their power to help the individual succeed.
 
This is an interesting question, I think an instructor should be giving confidence to the rider, there are different ways to achieve this, but if they do not think your aims are realistic, for whatever reasons, they may not be the person to help you.
I always feel it is good to aim a few steps ahead and to push the boundaries at times, but always have a comfort zone well established to return to.
If you are regularly competing and getting good % at one level you should be working at the next level at home and going out when you feel ready and trying a test.
If you never get encouraged to go further it can dent your confidence and if you are not careful you will be doing prelims forever.
 
Thanks, there's some good ideas there, I think I might try another trainer, even as a one off and see if they give similar feedback or if they think I am being realistic :)
 
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