How to pick an RI?

[candacegal]

This may seem like a very broad question, but I have been rwith the same RI since I was a beginner. I am in group lessons and not taking any privates right now. I have not been altogether happy the last few lessons though. Seems like she takes big steps backwards, for new people entering the class... ie. those who have only ridden western,riding english for the first time. I like the refreshers, but I have not been learning as much. Also I was recently the casualty of spooked horsey, partially because RI was having difficulty properly spreading out the class.. ie. instructing cantering behind walking horsey who got spooked. :eek: I could certainly rotate a private lesson in every month, but questioning RI's abilities now. How to tell when it is time to research RI options? What things do you think make your RI good at what he/she does with you? Thanks for your ideas.. I am conflicted, as I feel like I am betraying my RI by even thinking of leaving.:o

[kaytenherponies]

I would watch as many lessons with other people as possible. Also dont feel bad about giving up your instructor, you are paying for a service and if you dont feel you are getting enough out of it maybe it is time to change.

I have a lovely private instructor, on my own horse. I like her because, I can only afford one a month so she gives me homework and stuff to practice in between. She never critisises or says "no thats wrong" or "dont let him do that" or even "that wasn't very good". If something doesn't go quite to plan she simply says "that was good, now lets try again but this time.....".

Also every lesson I learn something new or we work on something different, even though we incorporate the work from the week before.

Ask around for people who like their instructors or have a high opinion of them. I tried loads before I found one that I liked and who I though could teach me most.

[Nimbus65]

I think picking an RI is a very personal matter . . . and as your riding progresses it's quite possible to "outgrow" an otherwise fabulous instructor. Some RIs are particularly talented at teaching rank beginners, others excel with nervous novices while others really enjoy and are good with advanced dressage - and so on. But the other factor is the human one . . . which is why I say it's personal.

I had this very same crisis at the end of last year. I had had the same instructor for three years . . . she had nursed me through some very rocky patches confidence wise (as in, eek, I'm going to fall off!) but I began to plateau and found I wasn't getting as much out of the lessons as before. Because I wasn't progressing, I was losing confidence in my ability and the whole thing began to spiral . . . I became convinced that I was going backwards and spent many lessons close to tears. Like you, I felt that leaving my RI was tantamount to betrayal . . . but on further thinking, I realized that I was spending my hard-earned money on the lessons and that the way I felt was robbing me of one of the things I love most about life . . . enjoying being on the back of a horse. So . . . I switched. It really was the best thing I have ever done for my riding. I have remained good friends with my former instructor. My riding has improved in leaps and bounds. Actually - what's improved is my faith in my own ability . . . I figure things out for myself now rather than waiting for instruction . . . I put all the things I've learned together - with confidence.

Hope that helps :)

N

[PurpleHammer]

If I was in your situation, I think the first thing I'd do is have a talk with my RI since she may not be aware there is a problem. Whether or not I'd stay with my old RI depends on how she responded to my concerns. For example, would she offer to try different solutions and/or be willing to try any ideas you might have? I'd probably stay long enough to allow my RI to try to make some changes, assuming she was actively trying to find a suitable solution; if she didn't at least try to make a change and/or nothing you’ve tried seems to work for you, I'd definitely begin looking for a new RI.

For example:
1. Is it possible for you to take lessons with a group of more advanced riders with your current RI?
2. Can you arrange to have a private lesson once a month, and use the group lessons to supplement or reinforce what you are learning in your private lessons? (This can be done with your old RI or a new one.)

In terms of finding a new RI, if you're not happy, your old RI will end up losing your business sooner or later. Consider that if you stay unhappy for too long, you could eventually lose any interest you might have to ride at all! Maybe your old RI can suggest a person or two who might suit your current needs better since she knows your strengths, weaknesses, and interests. For example, she might be able to recommend an instructor that is known for the ability to teach jumping if that is what you'd like to work on, etc.

Another possibility for help in finding a new RI is to watch a couple of lessons and take one or two with the new RI before committing yourself. You might even want (or need) to try out a few instructors before you find the one that is best for you. Does your current barn have other instructors you would be willing to try? If you don’t have your own horse and you’re trying out a new barn, besides concentrating on the instructors themselves, I’d suggest trying to get a general idea of what several of the lesson horses are like, not just in terms of what they’re like to ride, but their overall condition as well.

Personally, I like getting lessons from a new RI every once in awhile simply because it gives me a second opinion of things I might want to work on and gives me more experience that I can use in shows because of the type of competitions I’m in, where I might draw a horse I’ve never met before. Lastly, I have to admit that I’ve experienced barns that made me appreciate the barn I’m currently at and that first time back is quite a refresher!

After I ride with a new RI, I ask myself if I would be willing to have another lesson & why I came up with the answer I did. (I think of things like safety, the way the instructor taught the lesson, how he/she answered any questions I had, how problems were handled, etc.) Also, I know that everyone is bound to have bad days/lessons, but I figure I have found a good RI if I can answer “Yes” to the following questions:
1. Overall, did I enjoy my lesson/have I been enjoying my lessons lately? (If not, I ask myself when was the last lesson I enjoyed, what made that lesson so different and if the instructor was the main contributor to that difference rather than me just simply having a bad or so-so day.)
2. Between lessons, do I look forward to having my next one?
3. Am I improving my riding skills and/or learning something new?


Good luck!

[Packhorse12]

watch other lessons with other instructors. ask the riders how long they have been riding and what they think of the instructor. write down what you hear. Find out what qualifications the instructors have and go for a few different lessons with a few different instructors with different levels of qualifictions.

[candacegal]

Thank you so much for your responses. Purplehammer, the questions you listed to ask myself really help. I have been researching other barns and RIs in my area. Still riding with current/old RI. I am still not having good lessons.. ie. have not enjoyed or looked forward to a lesson with my current RI in a month. I am seriously considering taking a break altogether, as I am concerned my mindset is effecting my riding more than my RI. Can this happen?? I have always been passionate about riding. But for a good portion of today's lesson I was miserable and wanted to get off the horse. Does this make any sense, considering I normally would rather ride than anything else in the world? I literally used to count the minutes until I could go riding or have a lesson. :confused:

[Jumperbabe]

It sounds like you should find a new teacher. If she can't communicate with you then there is no reason to keep going. A good riding teacher shouldn't just be a talented rider but they should ALSO be a talented teacher. I've taken clinics with pros who were awful teachers despite the fact they were amazing riders. I totally understand that this can be difficult and feel like a betrayal (been there!) but I have to agree with what has already been said--you are paying a lot of money for a service you don't like! Why continue to feel stuck? Sometimes having someone else explain the same concept a different way can really make a difference. You might want to consider shopping around for another teacher and once you find one you like then go to your old trainer and let her know that it is time for you to move on. Any professional will understand. :)

[candacegal]

I have a standing lesson with this RI and pay upfront for 4 lessons - she offers a group lesson package. Today, I let her know I may take a few weeks off from riding. This is mainly for the benefit of visiting other stables and taking classes elsewhere. My RI said if I took a few weeks off, as I suggested to her, that I would fall behind dramatically. It may be 2 weeks before I am scheduled into another group lesson that meets each week. Is there validity to this? The most I have ever been away from riding is a week or so.. but, did not consider it a huge set back. Is she scrambling to keep my business? I do feel terribly guilty about leaving her and it has gotten to me, quite honestly:confused:

[Shire Monster]

Don't let it get to you, riding is a very expensive sport/hobbie and most people only have the luxury of participating once a week, therefore you want to get the most out of it. You want to look forward to it not dread it, you want to enjoy your time on horse back and you need to feel at least a small degree of progression in your riding not steps backwards just because someone new has joined your lesson.
I'm happy with my instructor but a while back she was away and the school put with me with someone different, I was dreading it! But once I got there I had the best lesson I'dhad in ages, loved the different RI. Wasn't sure whether or not to stick with her but I didn't I went back to other RI when she came back then had an even better lesson with her, 2nd RI thrown into the mix just for that one week shook up the equasion and made my lessons with original RI better.
All sounds very confusing but maybe it could work for you, just try a lesson or two at a diff school you may find it better with your old RI.
Personally though I don't like the idea that the whole class has to move backwards to accommodate a new rider in the lesson.