What makes a good instructor good?

[Ample Prosecco]

Katie had an awful SJ lesson with a big name at camp. And today I had one of the best lessons ever on Toby with a new trainer who was running a clinic at our yard. I only booked in because it was the only way of getting riding time today! But she was fab. It got me musing on what I felt made him so bad and her so good….

Firstly camp trainer did not ask anyone any questions at the start of the lesson. Such as age of horse, experience level of horse or rider, goals, upcoming events etc etc. 2 people in the lesson had comps coming up at British Novice or BE and had they been asked, they would have wanted to be prepared for those. And there was a 4 year old in the lesson. It was only half way through that he called out ‘how old is your horse’ and realised she was a baby. Today’s trainer asked about both me and Toby and asked what we wanted to work on, any areas to focus on in particular etc.

Secondly camp trainer said go and warm up but don’t take too long because flatwork is boring. Then during the warm up he gossiped to the parents about his illustrious international coaching career while smoking a fag. Trainer today said warm up how you normally would and then spent a good few minutes talking about the warm up, the canter quality for jumping etc

When we started juming camp trainer gave no individual feedback at all apart from ‘good’ or ‘STINKER’ without explaining what was good and how to improve. He spent the whole lesson shouting ‘wait wait’ without every explaining what he meant by ‘wait’. From an observer point of view there was no improvement in any of the horses through the hour. The fences were tiny and never went up and the lines were easy. Nothing technical. No focus to the lesson. They just jumped a small course a few times. The horses who chipped in at the start were still chipping in. The ones that rushed were still rushing etc.

After every set of jumps trainer 2 asked what the rider thought was good and what could be improved. She then gave advice on what to do to make it better. So all the advice was tailored to each partnership. Each course was different – either a different line, or a bit higher or adding in fillers or whatever. So for Toby I needed to work on keeping the canter energized round corners so my lines were very bendy!

At the end camp trainer bigged himself up, saying 'I bet your horses have never gone so well' and that was it.

Today’s trainer gave me specific homework to work on the areas of weakness that we found.

After the lesson I could name many things that I got from the lesson!

Positives to keep doing:

• Riding good lines into fences
• Looking ahead
• Having a good canter as I start the course.

Things I could improve

• Don’t drop the contact as I approach the jump.
• Use a driving seat around the corner and keep my leg on more
• Ride away more positively from the jumps
• Use the space in the arena better to give myself more room

I asked Katie and her friend what they learned from Camp Trainer and they could not name one thing - good or bad - that they took from the lesson.

Camp trainer is considerably more expensive!!! Maybe he felt teaching kids was beneath him and he couldn’t be bothered to try?

So what makes a good trainer in your eyes? Because it is not how high a level you competed at or how much you cost as far as I can see.

 

[EllenJay]

I am really surprised that camp trainer said flat work "was boring". Any decent jump trainer knows that jumping a course 80% is flat work.

 

[Starzaan]

My aim when I’m teaching is for my clients to leave the lesson with a grin, and for them see and feel a difference in both themselves and their horses after we’re done. I also tailor every lesson completely to the horse and rider in front of me, and ask about the partnership, any problems, what their goals are etc. During the warmup.
I hope people enjoy my lessons. I have a lot of repeat clients so hopefully I’m doing something right! My biggest thing is explaining why. Never ever just telling someone to do or change something without explaining WHY.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

I think he was saying it for effect. Too cool for school kind of thing. Prat!

 

[scats]

The camp trainer sounds a bit above himself! I’m very curious to know who he was!

I would expect a trainer to help to make an improvement on the horses way of going, or be helping to put steps in place for you to do that.
I had a lesson off a pro rider and I just didn’t find it in the slightest bit useful. Horse came away tense and annoyed and I didn’t take anything useful away from it. Yet a lot of people rave about said trainer and they are a successful rider with a good competition record. I just felt they didn’t quite click with me or quite figure my horse out in order to make a difference. Perhaps a second session would have been better, but I didn’t get a good enough feel from session one to want to have another.

 

[Roxylola]

I'd be a bit disappointed with a camp organiser who puts riders of such mixed levels together to be honest. Otherwise 100% agree with your points

 

[milliepops]

What I want from a trainer isn't so much about the process and more about general "fit". I wouldn't say we particularly have a method of doing lessons, it ends up a mix of talking over stuff, independent work and normal instruction.

Is in terms of fit, i like to be challenged in a fun way, things not to be overcomplicated and to feel comfortable to ask questions if i don't get it.

I want to know they have a depth of experience in teaching people like me and horses like mine. High level competition experience is relevant because that's what I'm aiming at.

I want to be able to set training goals with them that are stretching but realistic and then achieve them (barring horse injury etc).

I want someone who truly wants to see me succeed and cares about being fair to my horse along the way.

Ideally I want each lesson to scoop us up from what we've been doing at home and set us up for the next fortnight and generally thats the case, occasionally the horse has other ideas

Basically I want someone who knows their stuff inside out and really has a passion and talent for developing horses and riders as individuals rather than doing identikit lessons or going through the motions.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Saving me typing it all out, MP says it all

 

[DabDab]

Yeah, also ditto MP.

I'm not a fan of trainers who have a very set method/regime without adapting to the horse & rider in front of them. I'm also not a fan of trainers who want to give you an instruction every stride without ever explaining what you are actually supposed to be doing/aiming for.

 

[Wishfilly]

For me, the key to being a really good instructor is being a good communicator (listening as well as explaining) - there are lots of people who can ride very well but can't always communicate exactly what they are doing, or maybe they aren't quite aware of how they produce the results they do! These people can still be useful to have lessons with- especially if they know lots of useful exercises to help the horse improve or to give you new ideas, but they won't be able to improve you as a rider as much.

I had a lesson on a friend's horse the other day with an instructor who was able to explain exactly what she did with her inner thigh to collect the horse (she has also schooled that horse in the past). I was able to (sort of) replicate it, and could really see the difference it made. I don't think all riders/instructors would have understood exactly what they were doing, let alone be able to communicate it so successfully.

I think if you want to compete, competition experience can be helpful, as people with competition experience at or above the level you're aiming at can help you prepare specifically for the competition experience. But if your aims aren't competitive, then it's not a must. I do think a lot of people who compete teach because they need to, not because they enjoy it, and those who enjoy it usually make better teachers too!

For me, as well, I need someone who projects confidence and an "of course you can do it" attitude, especially when jumping!

 

[oldie48]

Ditto MP really but for me there are two things that stand out with really good trainers, they can suss out the horse and rider combo very quickly and don't need to ask a lot of questions, they also can identify the one thing that needs sorting before anything else that will make a big difference and will give very clear directions and feedback to the rider.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

My choice of trainer is very much influenced by how they react to me riding a Friesian. Trainers never invited back have been those who question why i want to ride a carriage horse...or have constantly moaned about high head carriage and shoulder set, or shout instructions and want me to work without stirrups etc. The trainers who have made the cut...including my most recent young lovely talented one...work with what I have/am...an older rider with a willing quick to learn mare who sometimes forgets she has four legs.

Pony club rallies were sometimes spoiled for my daughter if a particular older trainer was used as she was an old fashioned shouter of the “make em do it “ school. Most of the others teaching were fabulous..supportive and knowledgeable.

 

[MuddyMonster]

Basically, what @milliepops said, but without the high level competition stuff being relevant to us

I've also found for me, it's whether an instructor can set me up with enough knowledge of what I'm doing and why, so I can continue to progress outside of their lessons - including why things don't quite go right and what to do.

My current instructor (who I've had for 6 or so years now), does exactly that. But for so long, I had instructors that could teach me whilst they are there but I'd be awful without them as I didn't understand why I was doing what I'd been taught.

 

[Circe2]

Everyone’s already made some really salient points around knowledge, attitude and communication, so I won’t duplicate!

What I would also like to add is that personally, I would outright refuse to ride for any instructor that basically ask me to “fight” with my horse - ie tell me to be stricter, a lot more leg (pointlessly), punish, shorter reins (pointlessly), saw at the mouth, etc. I just don’t have the energy in me to deal with that, and find patience, repetition, and maybe just a dangling schooling whip does the trick anyway.

It’s difficult enough having to learn new movements and focus on your seat without having to wage war against your horse (a lot of the time just confusing it/riling it/making it dislike certain movements) because somebody who’s not on it wants to act the disciplinarian. They don’t have to live with the consequences of a sour/stressed/confused horse, or the guilt and anxiety we feel as gentle riders forced to act that way, which comes completely unnaturally.

I feel like I came across a lot more of these instructors as a child, but have thankfully managed to avoid them as an adult, as I can make my own choices/have a more level relationship with the instructor age-wise/have moved up the levels. Still, the intense dislike towards that sort of instructor lives on - my blood boils every time I hear someone yelling at (especially) children and young adults that way. Especially when I can see the rider in question has a soft hand and seat and the horse is acting anxiously. And when I spot the rider’s glazed/confused/teary eyes, their tight lips and general internalised agony.

Let soft riders be soft riders! Let people (and horses) take their time to learn pedagogically, by explanation, support and repetition! If it doesn’t work, slow down and repeat the ask at a walk!

Drives me bonkers.

 

[DressageCob]

I similarly have been disappointed by big name lessons. Just because they are successful doesn't mean they can help others to succeed. In particular I spent quite a lot of money on a cross country lesson with a big name, who just pointed at fences and said "jump that one, that one and that one", and that was the extent of his instruction. My horse refused a couple and there was no advice on how to help him feel confident or get him over the fence.

I'm very spoilt for instructors at the yard where my horses live. Two, in particular, have been invaluable for me and my boys. To the point that I don't really look to travel anywhere for lessons now, unless I have heard very good things or they have been strongly recommended by people I know.

I also look for someone who teaches what is in front of them. My little cob isn't going to jump the same as someone else's 17hh warmblood. I might not be as confident as the people they usually teach. They need to be able to adapt to their rider and horse combinations and come up with exercises which might work for them.

Similarly, I want instructors who are encouraging. I had several instructors telling me my little cob wasn't good enough to do dressage, and should just stick to "fun" competitions, maybe up to prelim. He's at elementary now, and just starting medium training at home.
In contrast, my yard owner/instructor had a very frank discussion with me about Albert not taking me any further. That was handled appropriately and after training/competitions, not just taking a look at us as a combination and deciding we are crap.

I'm fairly target-orientated, so I prefer having a set goal and working to achieve it. Realistic goal setting is a great trait in a regular instructor. Aiming high enough that you have to work, but not so high that it is unattainable and therefore discouraging.

I do think the ability to teach group lessons is a particular talent. Not everybody copes. It sounds like your camp instructor is lacking in that talent, however great a rider he may be. To teach group lessons you have to be able to appreciate the strengths and weaknesses in each combination, come up with exercises which will help everybody, or if not come up with individual exercises for each pair, as well as ensuring that everyone is learning (even the one who is getting it right every time...there is always something you can do better). At the riding school where my boys live you will quite often see a group lesson with 4 people in it, each doing something slightly different, the exercise having been tweaked to their individual issues. Not everyone has the skill to do that. Instructors who can are worth their weight in gold.

 

[Mule]

I find an instructor that can explain things practically and clearly is a keeper. A positive attitude is also helpful. Someone who is willing to hop on the horse is great. Someone who doesn't fire a million instructions at the same time is also welcome.

 

[Xmasha]

i do have a bit of sympathy for trainers at camp. They are given a group of riders , who they dont know from Adam, usually very mixed abilities, sometimes just for one lesson out of the weekend. By the time they've found out some info from the riders id guess they've lost 15mins of what could be 1hr. Ive done a fair few camps now and have always gone with low expectations as to what im going to get out of it. Basically its a girls weekend away, lots of laughs and wine.

As for ongoing trainers, i prefer someone who has done the job themselves to a decent standard, who wants to help me and my horse improve,and does it with a good sense of humour. Someone who will get on board if needed as well.

 

[LEC]

i do have a bit of sympathy for trainers at camp. They are given a group of riders , who they dont know from Adam, usually very mixed abilities, sometimes just for one lesson out of the weekend. By the time they've found out some info from the riders id guess they've lost 15mins of what could be 1hr. Ive done a fair few camps now and have always gone with low expectations as to what im going to get out of it. Basically its a girls weekend away, lots of laughs and wine.

As for ongoing trainers, i prefer someone who has done the job themselves to a decent standard, who wants to help me and my horse improve,and does it with a good sense of humour. Someone who will get on board if needed as well.

Exactly this. I have never come away from a camp blown away by the training. If I get one useful snippet then that is great. It is what it is, because any good trainer is not going to push you because they don't know you and in 90 mins it can sometimes be hard to work miracles.
I rarely do one off clinics for this very reason and instead see trainers who I can see regularly. I have one who is a big name who I see less often but I have still been to them over a 2 year period. I am SUPER fussy about trainers. The hardest one to find has been a good SJing coach and I still dont have it right now. Ones I like are too far to see regularly and local ones dont push enough.

It is vital for me that the trainer has ridden successfully at advanced level. I want the indepth knowledge on horse management as well as training as all go hand in hand. I have to respect that person competitively as well as their training because I need to believe that their system will work and I will get the outcome I want. They need a good eye and they need to be critical. I am not interested in just good. I want that detail that will make me even better.

The trainer from camp sounds an arse as well. He should either have a lesson plan if not asking riders their goals (such as working on rider position, straightness, lines etc etc) or he should be focused on improving what the riders want to work on. That type of lesson where its nothing is a waste of everyones time.

You have answered your own question on what makes a good trainer by pointing out the differences including riders satisfaction at the end......

 

[Roxylola]

On a personal level I need to have a 2 way interaction with a coach. They need to understand that when they get on my case about my wayward lower legs and I respond exasperatedly with "I know!" I'm not being shirty I'm cross with myself, because I do know and I know I should just do better.
Also, while I'm not massively fussed about the level they are or have competed at they do need to want to keep their own training up to date and be up to date with the sport. Equestrianism in all forms has changed massively in 20 years, having a lesson with a hero from yesteryear would be fab but if they arent current with eg how technical eventing is or how much dressage has changed much as I might enjoy it, it won't help me competitively

 

[greenbean10]

This may have already been mentioned but I do also think a sign of a good instructor is knowing exactly what and when to prioritise.

For instance a flatwork lesson at the start of lockdown with potentially no shows for months, we can take things right back to basics, try no stirrups, reins in opposite hands, work on shoulders, try mastering lateral work etc.

But a week before my first Newcomers, what I need is a tough and up to height course. Then make the course easier but the jumps bigger. Not the time to be making things perfect, focusing on tiny little riding fixes or jumping through a grid of tiny crosspoles. All I want to do is feel confident jumping some bigger fences so I can go into the ring and know that even if it's messy, I should be able to get round!

It seems so obvious but so many instructors don't seem to realise that jumping tiddly fences or taking away my stirrups does nothing for my confidence a few days before a big show!

 

[Roxylola]

This may have already been mentioned but I do also think a sign of a good instructor is knowing exactly what and when to prioritise.

This reminded me of something AE's regular xc instructor said to me at a clinic last week. I was struggling getting over a jump and she told me to sit back more so I was like yeah - I'm trying to improve my fold more so I'm trying to soften a bit on the way in
Her response was it doesnt really matter how good your fold is if you're not getting over the fence, now, sit back!

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Interesting thoughts about what makes an instructor good. I don't really need someone who has ridden to a high level. I feel that you can be a great trainer without necessarily having been a great rider. I'd put Tik Maynard in that category. But I agree about the need for a good eye from the ground.

Totally echo Green Bean - there was a detailed questionnaire for camp and 2 of the riders were out competing soon after camp. Katie and her friend were both SJing at British novice. In fact Dolly was doing a 95/100 class. The trainer started the class saying he didn't care what height they were supposed to be jumping all he cared about was technique as with good technique you can jump any height. Which was fine - I have no problems keeping jumps low to work on something else- but I could not see any technique focus either! Plus if you're about to compete you need to see a few up to height jumps for confidence I think.

Anyway I've organised my own camp now! With trainers I like and in groups that make sense. Can't believe how much cheaper it is if you go DIY.

 

[Xmasha]

Anyway I've organised my own camp now! With trainers I like and in groups that make sense. Can't believe how much cheaper it is if you go DIY.

A friend and i decided to do that the other year. Booked somerford, had some cracking instructors and filled the camp with friends/ friends of friends etc. We had everything sorted, apart from the insurance. we seemed to be able to offer a great deal. With food prepared by a good pub too. The sticking point was the insurance. It was very expensive for a one off, plus when i spoke to the companies it was clear that we wouldnt be covered as well as we would like and could still be open to being sued if something went wrong.( Even with the instructors having their own insurance) So we cancelled.
Its definitely the way to go to get more out of it , as long as you can get adequate cover.

 

[ycbm]

On a personal level I need to have a 2 way interaction with a coach.

Me too. I won't train a second time with anyone who makes me use a one way earpiece.

I agree with everything above, I think, but at my age, I also want to have fun. I need an instructor who is not so up their own backside at riding GP themselves that they want everything to be desperately serious. I need an element of fun, the ability to laugh at things that don't go to plan, and variety, not an endless drill at perfecting one movement.

Tomorrow I'm hooking up again with a trainer who gives me all of that. They moved away a few years ago and I have tried and tried to find a replacement closer to home. But I've given up, I'm going to travel, and I am SO looking forward to tomorrow. The key, I think, is that this person trains GP child riders, and that approach suits me down to the ground.
.

 

[scats]

Interesting thoughts about what makes an instructor good. I don't really need someone who has ridden to a high level. I feel that you can be a great trainer without necessarily having been a great rider. I'd put Tik Maynard in that category. But I agree about the need for a good eye from the ground.

Agreed. I don’t care what level someone has competed at, I’m more interested in their ability to train horses. The best rider I know has not ridden higher than elementary in a competitive setting, but he can train horses through to advanced work and, more importantly, is able to teach it too.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

I think it’s interesting the riding vs teaching level, I have found it does make a difference to my competing if my trainer has also competed to a higher level than I’m aiming at.

Dressage, it’s the nuances of the warm up or test riding that could get extra marks or better expression. Jumping, I’ve found is very different between training at home and actually competing, my trainer could prep me with how I needed to ride at a comp where they might go green and I need to be prepared.

If my trainers hadn’t competed themselves they might not have been able to help as much with the very specific things that crop up when you’re in the arena on your own.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Oh I definitely think the trainer needs to also compete at a higher level than me but not sure by how much. I've had lessons with Olympians that were less good than lessons with people who event at novice.

 

[Red-1]

I need a trainer who will allow me to go into what isn't working so I can arrive at what does work. This is not usually the quickest way to train, but it makes it stick tome if I have been up a few blind alleys. It allows me to keep thinking and to verbalise that, so I can deeply learn why what we are doing works/does not work, so I can then be a thinking rider when I have no trainer.

I need someone who will allow for other things in life, as in other stresses. If it is just general life then I can out it to one side while I concentrate, but if I have had a horrendous time then my reserves are low and I prefer to aim lower.

I won't force the horse. I need a trainer who doesn't mind if I have loads of congratulatory breaks!

I need someone who believes in me. One time, I wanted to compete at Chatsworth Novice event. I had a new trainer (one who would come to my home as the box was off the road) and she said that she didn't see how I could compete at Chatsworth. So, she was sacked instantly, as if she can't see how I can do it, she is no good whatsoever and I need someone who CAN see how to help me achieve that. I did achieve it, with another trainer.

I am deeply put off if the trainer chats to people, talks on the phone or otherwise disengages with the lesson. Lessons are usually £1 a minute +, so I expect that the trainer pays attention.

The biggest one for me though, many long time trainers become weary. They burn out. They stopping it because they are enthusiastic and start to do it for the money. They tend to be the ones who are no longer learning and evolving themselves. They are the ones who do an exercise with the first person of the day, then somehow end up repeating the same exercise for each lesson. They are partly just going through the motions. They may stick a big fence up and have you do it, then end the lesson early as the horse is tired or whatever. They may give loads of praise, but have simply stopped being innovative.

I was in danger of going off the boil a couple of years ago, I quit training as I didn't want to be one of those trainers. I wanted to be one who was filled with enthusiasm and wonder, or not train at all.

 

[milliepops]

Oh I definitely think the trainer needs to also compete at a higher level than me but not sure by how much. I've had lessons with Olympians that were less good than lessons with people who event at novice.

this may just be because they were rubbish trainers though. I have found that if you are someone who is ambitious, it can be time-saving (in a constructive way) and efficient in the longer term to train with someone who can see that the building blocks you put in right at the start are then ready for you to pick up, several levels upwards. or that there are alternative ways of teaching techniques to the horse that you only really stumble upon further up the levels.

For instance, one horse that struggled to learn to extend while at the lower levels, was helped by someone who had experience of training horses to GP, so developed passage work to teach the horse reach through the shoulder and greater engagement than was strictly needed for the medium trot. That horse didn't need to passage at elementary, but the experience showed that if it had the ability and strength, and knowledge of the cues, then that could be harnessed for something different. sure enough we could then teach the horse to push the passage out to bigger steps with ground cover rather than scurry along tightly.

For me the holy grail is the person who is the passionate and effective teacher and has all that experience available. why limit yourself?
(eta. sorry. rhetorical question).

The biggest one for me though, many long time trainers become weary. They burn out. They stopping it because they are enthusiastic and start to do it for the money. They tend to be the ones who are no longer learning and evolving themselves. They are the ones who do an exercise with the first person of the day, then somehow end up repeating the same exercise for each lesson. They are partly just going through the motions. They may stick a big fence up and have you do it, then end the lesson early as the horse is tired or whatever. They may give loads of praise, but have simply stopped being innovative.

I really value this too.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Someone that teaches the horse and rider in front of them, not the horse and rider they wish they had in front of them.