Flat Lesson Tonight

[EatMyDust]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#So it was monday night, Lesson night. We went to the stable, and no one was there, because all the little kids had gone out trick or treating. So Diane(instructor) came to the barn and tacked up the horses. I asked if I was riding Dillon. Dillon is her big appendix gelding who I am absolutly in love with. He is helping me boost my confidence, and when my other love, Savanna had to be put down, and I was horrified and didn't want to ride again, he came and helped me.So I asked Di, if I was riding him and she said no. This is the 3rd week where she has changed her mind. She said I was riding Chloe. Chloe is a little bi*chy mare that flys when you canter. And Im like 5'9 and shes 13'1, cant you just see it now. Its not that I dont like her, I actually love riding her, but I had my heart set on Dillon because he helps boost my confidence so whatever I was like OK, if we are jumping this will be easy. So we go into the arena and she says we arent jumping because the horse my brother was riding threw a girl off 10 times at the last lesson she was ussed for and had to start from scratch again. So I was kinda POD because Chloe isnt all that great at flat work, and when we jump she is so good, which makes me look pretty good to. So we do our lesson, basically all circles and such. And when we cantered I sucked so BADDDD! She was running through my hands and I couldnt keep my seat. I was bouncing  everywhere. So my brother did his round and I tryed again, This time I actually moved with her, instead of against her and I was able to actually use the arena instead of the circles I was running. So we gave them the long rein and after each lesson me and Di talk about the goals I have for Dusty and I told her how the neighbor might be jumping him next season. Well she starts giving me a lecture about how I should and blah blah blah. Well I would but Im afraid to jump him at a show. Well I qguess that made her mad, and she continues to yell at me. So we decided that we are going to over come my fear and I have a lesson with Dusty in 2 weeks. Shes going to set up a course and ride with me. So Im alittle scared but excited to. She never ever rides with anyone and now shes going to ride with me in a lesson! I hope it goes smoothly, but now she can see what I see when Im on the flat instead of her seeing what I do from the spectators stand. It should be interesting. Ill have to get pictures for you all to see.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Pretty_Pony72]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#hehe 5'9 on a 13.1h horse..what a site!! Hope you get to ride Dillon soon, your coach should go over the coarse with Dusty a couple times before you do. Maybe horses won't seem so scary then lmao#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[EatMyDust]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Ohh...that was sooo not cool. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Its the jumps smart one#ed_op#IMG src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/richedit/smileys/Teasing/19.gif"#ed_cl#DUH! hahahahahahaha#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#It was quite the site. Im used to riding a shire, an appendix and a irish draft...this poor little pony has no neck, I had nothing...and when she trotted I felt like I was smushing her! rotflmao!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[zooka]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#good luck in your jumping lesson!#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[EatMyDust]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I was scared...but Im kinda excited now!#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[LE123]

Now, I want to say this without anyone thinking I'm being mean, but as a coach myself, I find this post sad.

A coach/instructor's job is to nuture, teach and advise riders in what they are doing wrong, how to correct it, practice and re-address it.

To put an obviously overly tall rider on a small, quick pony right away doesn't strike me as right. Add to that yelling? Sorry, I don't find yelling a useful way to instruct, especially when riders are nervous. Then, to say she will put you on a certain horse to over come your fear of jumping?

That's not going to help. A coach's job is to assertain WHY you are nervous and help you ride through this with various exercies. Not through intimidation and insult.

I work with many a nervous rider, and I would NEVER berate, belittle or yell. It does nothing for one's self esteem nor does it help you become a better rider. A push here and there, yes, but the way to helping a nervous rider is to isolate the reason WHY you are nervous, and work from there.

Just had to say this--I hope I didn't offend anyone.

[graciespook]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#You're completely entitled to your opinion LE... #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I somewhat agree. The point of a lesson is to learn and build on what you've been learning. If you ride a horse which is not schooled properly, and spend your lesson time, which you pay for, trying to get things together, its no fun for anyone. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Hope your next lesson goes better. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Lix]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I sympathise EMD.  But I have to agree with LE and Gracie.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I'm sure your coach is a nice person, but it doesn't sound like you guys are on the same wavelength here.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#From what I understand, you are not 100% comfortable at the canter yet.  In all due respect, I think that may be a sign that the jumps not come out just yet.  #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#My coach didn't let us jump until we have a very very solid base on the flat, with beginner dressage - and this, on various horses.  #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Also, if you are having confidence issues (which is completely normal - don't despair, we've all been there!), you should be taking a few steps back with Dusty and doing only what YOU feel comfortable doing.  #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I think you need to have a serious talk with your coach.  It seems she may not be completely in tune with your needs.  #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Good luck and keep your chin up - we are here to listen! #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[zooka]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#EMD could you not have all your lessons on Dusty so that you guys can work on flat work and stuff?  That way you are working on problems you have?#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[horsemad!]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#...So we go into the arena and she says we arent jumping because the horse my brother was riding threw a girl off 10 times at the last lesson she was ussed for and had to start from scratch again...

#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"#ed_cl#Not only does the coach sound like they’re not the most nuturing or effective teacher, that they don't match horse and rider appropriately #ed_op#U#ed_cl#AND#ed_op#/U#ed_cl# they put EMD’s brother up on a horse who had dumped someone 10 times in a previous lesson.#ed_op#SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"#ed_cl#   #ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl#I’d say you don’t put your clients up on horses like that – you put yourself up and give said horse a tune up before it goes back into the lesson program.#ed_op#SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"#ed_cl#  #ed_op#IMG src="http://www.forums.equestrianconnection.com/richedit/smileys/Thinking/3.gif"#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[babytigger]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#EMD - good luck to you. i'd have a good talk with your coach, perhaps she was having a crappy day, but that's no excuse for yelling at a clearly nervous rider...also, forcing you to jump dusty when you are nervous about it (basic flatwork aside) will, IMHO, only make you more nervous about it. you shouldn't have to go "faster" that you & your abilities are willing.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[xena_n_joss]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Your coach does not sound like they have proper teaching ethic or even actually know what they are doing. Is your coach even certified?#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Your coach should not make you do anything that will make you feel uncomfortable and she should not make you feel bad or anything. She is not appropriately placing you with the right horse either. A coach should be matching the rider with the horse that will work for the riders experience. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#IMO if you cant get on the horse your riding and comfortably canter or gallop around you should start jumping yet. And you shouldnt be doing it unless your comfortable. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[xena_n_joss]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#just to add, there is nothing wrong with yelling a bit, my coach yells all the time. The thing is that I work better with her yelling at me. And your coach should be bale to gage who it will work with, and it will not work with a nervous person. She should be taking a different approach. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[EatMyDust]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Times New Roman"#ed_cl#Ok, first off. I do have a certified coach. She is an amazing teacher, but I am the most stubborn person you will EVER meet and the only way to get some things through to me is to either yell at me, or ground me. Lol#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Times New Roman"#ed_cl#Next, I was put on the pony because she is a lot of fun. I am comfortable in canter, but she is really fast, and very small, and I just wasn’t prepared for it. Im happy I rode her, but still, it was weird riding something so small.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Times New Roman"#ed_cl#Also, my brother is riding the horse that threw this other girl off because he isn’t afraid of anything and rides her sooooo well.Shes only young, and shes still learning, which is why only my brother, my inst. And this other girl ride her.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Times New Roman"#ed_cl#Im not offended by anyones opinion, everyone has there right to speak. And you would understand more if I was talking to your face, but unfortunitly I don’t have time to go all over Canada telling everyone about my lesson.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"#ed_cl#Oh also, she wants me to jump because she knows that I can do. This happens every three monthes or so, I just freak out and feel like the only thing that’s going to happen to me while Im on a horse is me falling off. I don’t have much confidence in myself, but once I get started Ill do anything. So if she rides with me, it might help. We’ll just do a small course under like 2 feet. x’s and probally a few bounces. Im really excited for this now. Thanks for listening!#ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[zooka]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#you may have said above but when is your lesson going to happen?#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[EatMyDust]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Not next monday, but the monday after.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[zooka]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#well after reading your other post you sound ready for it!#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[xena_n_joss]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Sorry, EMD... I dont think anyone meant to offen you, it is just the way the original post came off that some of us are a bit concerned... But have fun at your lesson then!#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Lix]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Sorry, EMD... I dont think anyone meant to offen you, it is just the way the original post came off that some of us are a bit concerned... But have fun at your lesson then!#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Exactly! #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#We are only trying to help with the information we have!    Good luck in your lesson and do let us know how it went!  #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[graciespook]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Certified coach? I still don't think that it sounds like she's qualified if she's teaching lessons like that. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I know the immediate reaction is to get defensive when we critisize, but we like to help and make sure everyone is safe. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#