Instructors...

[Macluke]

Ok so as there are so maybe instructors out there how do you choose yours? I mean everyone thinks they can teach but not all can. Like just because I've done this and this I'm the best and know everything! Which I think is utter nonsense! What I also notice some people just can't see their instructor is totally useless and think they are the best thing ever and think they are god! I wish some how we could filter out all the bad so called instructors but I guess it's up to everyone to choose who they think is suitable.

So this is what I look for in an instructor:

They must have competed to the highest level and have lots of experience.
I look at how their other pupils perform, the best and the worst.
Then I will judge on my results etc so like am I getting more clear rounds or better %'s in dressage etc.
Do they think of the horse well being 1st.
And how much they push you I liked to be pushed but not to much like I want know that I can say no more.
Oh and of course what kind of reputation they have? But then sometimes reputations aren't true (people bad mouthing etc).

[becks]

It's a good question. I know exactly the few people I would get to teach me. Strangely enough, they're not all right at the top at the moment. (My poor instructor - her open horse has done a ligament and she's unsure if she can ever jump him again!). BUT it's the way they get their idea across - I'm sick of the yelling instructors, they must be able to get their idea across in a good manner.

And yes, they must push a bit. Just a bit!

Reputation is impossible to listen to. There will always be people who badmouth every person in the horse world.

[lila]

I do the bloody merrie test. Someone who can work with her, can probably work with me because we react in pretty much the same way to pressure. This weekend was a typical example.

Instructor no 1 lunged the bloody merrie on Saturday. I have seen her lunge other horses - she knows what she is doing. Bloody merrie throws toys, instructor puts her in her place. Bloody merrie FREAKS, runs around in circles but with this really ugly look on her face, ears flat. So Instructor no 1 achieved her objective (making horse obey, run in circle, not kill people) but bloodie merrie is rushing, rigid, tense, plotting murder and not talking to mommy.

Instructor no 2 lunged the bloody merrie on Sunday. Bloody merrie throws toys, Instructor gently but firmly puts her in her place, clears up the confusion for bloody merrie (no whip, no shouting) , bloody merrie lunges beautifully, taking the bit softly, bending, controlled balanced canter and trot, soft look in eye, trying her little heart out.

SO guess which instructor little old banggat me is going to go with? Both me and my mare need someone who is patient and understanding but doesn't take our sh!t. SOmeone who knows when to push and when to back off. There is nothing wrong with instructor no 1, but this person will freak both me and my mare out due to the amount of pressure she puts on us. She will be a fantastic instructor for someone braver than I.

[wright stuff]

- I was lucky in a way that both my instructor worked for me and I didn't have to move around, but that being said:

I chose someone with experience in the area of instruction. Did they get there horse to the level (it didn't need to be top - but is in both cases) themselves and not get given "push button" horses to compete and just win?

And most important for me - can they explain to me how to achieve the same? - and make it simple?
Often great riders are lousy instructors cause they can feel and do it but tell you how to achieve the same with your horse...or make it SO complicate it confuses you no end that you give up trying...........

Both my instructors can get me to do and achive what is needed in a lesson, so I feel what I should be working towards.......(be in jumping or dressage).

[wright stuff]

oh - and I don't care what other people think about my instructors: they work for me and my horse
.........if other people don't like them - that's their issue not mine

[misty]

well said WS, I agree totally that the best riders do not necessarily make the best intstructors. The instructor should know how to help you to achieve your best in a way acceptable to both you and your hrse.