first lesson jitters!!!!

[rainbowangel]

:eek: :eek: hiya, i have my first lesson on sunday. The problem is they put me in for a group lesson and im really nervous.i've asked them to change me to a private lesson but i havent heard anything back! they didnt even give me an option for a private lesson and they didnt ask my age (20) so im worried im with kids!!!!! Also im thinking about trying two riding schools at once,one is closer but one is cheaper. Is it not reccomended to mix schools? love rainbowangel:eek: :eek:

[Peanut]

Give them another ring if you would prefer a private lesson or ask whether you will be the oldest in the group lesson - I don't suppose you will be but they won't mind you asking.

It's a good idea to try out different riding schools and instructors when you are getting started as you need to find somewhere you feel comfortable and can enjoy your lesson.

[curlycal]

Hello and welcome :)

Echo Peanuts advice, and would just like to add good luck, I'm sure you'll love it :D

Cal x

[Libbyo]

Good luck. If thee is something about your lesson that bothers you before you go, give them a ring. Im sure they will sort it out for you.

Libbyo :)

[snakes1989]

dnt worry about being in the group i got my first group lesson this sunday aswel and i push the bad thought/worrying thought out by thinking of how good its gunna be riding a horse. ne ways i thought i should just tel you lol what riding school u going to/at?

[rashella]

I personally wouldn't worry too much about it being in a group, but if it is bothering you just give them a call.

At the school I learn at, the lesson before mine is a beginners and not one of them is a child. You'd be surprised how many adults start riding. Usually they split it into Adult and child groups anyway. If they didnt ask your age, perhaps they could probably tell your age by the sound of your voice. :confused:

Couldn't hurt to try a couple of different schools in the first stages. You need to make sure it's right for you.

Good luck anyway and welcome to NR, You'll love it (both the forum and riding that is!!) :D x

[Nazdaq]

I would say definetely you can mix schools, I have just started doing this, and I would say my riding is 100% better in the last week and a half because of it! Don't worry about riding in a group, it can be good because it makes you learn faster because you have to keep up with everyone else, and when you do something good everyone says well done and makes you feel good. You may be riding with kids, but it can sometimes be better then riding with adults because kids have less fear, so this might rub off on you as well! :D Update us on how it goes, seems like only yesterday I was having my first lesson, and I just had my first canter yesterday! You'll be doing that in no time as well! :p :D

[loopyh]

Hi and welcome

I would suggest trying out different schools until you find one your happy with. I don't know about anyone else but I do find sometimes the teaching is different at different schools so if your going to use two different schools permanently you have to make sure they compliment each other.

Group lessons as usually similar ages together but if you want to make sure give them a quick call. I used to ride in a group every week and we were a great source of support to each other plus it can take the tension out of it if your having a laugh with others.

The other advantage is that if your very new to riding group lessons allows a little rest while the attention is on someone else so you get the chance to get your breath and it may not hurt your backside as much. Of course you also don't do as much work but for the first few lessons that suited me.

Good luck I'm sure you will love it

[funkyfilly_sos]

Hello and Welcome to riding and NR! :)
Im sure you'll enoy doing both! :D

Trying out different riding schools is always a plus so you can keep your options open. I only tried out one riding school and it felt 'right' to stay there so I did and I have done for 10 years! Since your riding didnt ask your age, maybe it is unorganised and maybe trying out a different one might be benifical? I would give this lesson a chance and see how you feel first before trying out another one.

Also, most beginner lessons at my RS are all group ones anyway and they even do group lead rein lessons for adults so I wouldnt worry. I'm in a group lesson and there are plenty of pluses:
You are all starting at the same level
You all have similar amounts of experience
You make friends within your lesson who support you when you are down or struggling
You can compare your skills with other peoples and learn from their mistakes or good moments.
Most group lessons are cheaper than privet ones.

I can see why you are worried though, being with a load of kids might not be ideal but I doubt you will be. Give them another ring and ask them whether you can have a privet lesson or a group lesson with adults of your ability.

Luck Look and tell us how you get on :)
xxxKellyxxx

[rainbowangel]

:p thanks everyone you have been a great help. i never really thought about the plusses of a group lesson,it'll be a good oppurtunity to make friends. Im gonna give it a go. i cant wait,ive wanted to horse ride for ages.i think im going to get addicted though hehehe. my school will be the willowbrook riding centre near emsworth in hampshire. its in a lovely area. ill keep you posted on my progress. thanks maties!!!!!

[Mistertron]

Hi,

Hope your lesson goes ok. I like having private lessons but would like to join a group lesson when i'm more experienced. I certainly wouldn't want to be with a group of kids - not because i don't like kids but because they are all sooo good! and make it look easy! lol. Not very good when you are still trying to work on trot and you see kids in the other school, jumping over huge fences!!! :)

[Method_Acting]

I'm sixteen (I know..not quite 20) and I'm in a lesson full of under 10's! Just see what its like. Try a few different riding schools, pick which one you're happiest with.

I'd say stick to just one when youve found one you're happy with. Personally I've found it confusing with the different approaches to teaching while going to more than one riding school at a time.

Apart from that...good luck! you'll be fine. they know it's your first lesson so youll be in a group for that.I hope it goes well tomorrow :)

[horse_converted]

I know how you feal. i was like that with my first lesson. for a couple of months i was at this really dodgy rs. but now i am at a great one now where my RI takes care of us and makes sure we are confortable with each itlle thing we do. so good luck u will find once u are there you will feal fine :D