I went, I saw, I completely flopped....follow up thread

[Coco91]

Hi all

Some of you will remember that I was planning on trying a different riding school. I just think it's sensible to see what else is around and it gives you some comparison.

So i went to the new school today and it's (I'm not saying the name as comments will be a bit negative) huge and very, very busy. The whole place was over run with kids doing birthday parties.

After some confusion we eventually found my horse and I was left to lead him into the school no introductions nothing, I also had no hat on as in all the confusion I was still carrying it.

So we arrive in the indoor school and there are 10 horse/riders in the school, it is a big school but the biggest group I have ever been in is 5:eek:

So we start working round and i'm on a large, piebald, cob. He was lovely but not very forward so loads of leg and whip necessary. Anyhoo to cut a very long story short, I couldn't get a canter my fault I know but just being told again and again to canter in the next corner and when nothing happens being told to "give him huge smack" wasn't really doing me any good.

Then he decides he wants to work with the other lesson who using the other end of the school, beyond the poles and I'm at complete loss to stop him.

Feeling so embarassed as I now know the instructors are whispering about me in the centre of the arena, and all the other instructors, about 5 in the school are now shouting "watch out for xxx" so I decide to cut my loses and tell the instructor I want to get off:o:(

I'm so embarrased I didn't trust myself to steer correctly in the canter with so many other riders in the school. I'm also not sure how in a place that big you could ever develop a good working relationship with an instructor, I also know that you generally don't get the same instructor from week to week.

So I'm really cross as I'm now busy for the next 2 weeks and won't be able to ride, really wish i'd just gone to my wonderful current school.

Lesson learnt - the grass is definately NOT greener on the other side:mad:

[mu0ljk]

I remember when my old riding school closed down and I went to a new one - sounds pretty similar actually! You aren't in Cheshire are you!? I was told to go and get a certain horse out of its stable only it wasn't tacked up and there was nobody to help. The horse was huge - I was 12 and I didn't have a clue how to tack up properly so I was made to feel a total idiot straightaway! Once in the school there were at least 10 of us(previously only been used to being in a lesson of 2!). From what I can remember the instructor just generally yelled - oh and we had to sitting trot with no stirrups or reins!! In a group of 10!!!

Oh and they automatically booked you in each week so if you didn't book a lesson for the following week they would try and get you to pay anyway.

We went one more week and then didn't go back. And we didn't pay a cancellation fee for a lesson we didn't book in the first place! :rolleyes:

[Coco91]

I remember when my old riding school closed down and I went to a new one - sounds pretty similar actually! You aren't in Cheshire are you!? I was told to go and get a certain horse out of its stable only it wasn't tacked up and there was nobody to help. The horse was huge - I was 12 and I didn't have a clue how to tack up properly so I was made to feel a total idiot straightaway! Once in the school there were at least 10 of us(previously only been used to being in a lesson of 2!). From what I can remember the instructor just generally yelled - oh and we had to sitting trot with no stirrups or reins!! In a group of 10!!!

We didn't go back. :rolleyes:


Hi

Thanks, yes I just felt like my lack of control would also ruin the other peoples lessons, which made me feel awful.

This school was in North London and it has over 100 horses, well at least I know that I prefer the more personal approach:)

[Kittycat]

That's unfortunate, but it wasn't your fault. I don't like the idea of different lessons going on at the same time, I know you have to learn to look out for other horses but having too many at the same time is very difficult.

[Heucherella]

That sound dreadful - I've only ever had one group lesson, due to a double booking at the stables, and didn't feel that I learnt a lot. I have been having one to one lessons, and you learn so much faster. If you can't get canter (we all had that problem while learning - still do sometimes!), you can stop the horse and say 'what am I doing wrong?' If it needs a few minutes of conversation to sort it out, then you can have that time, without holding anyone up. And then the rest of the lesson would focus on that issue.

So you are not going back there then.......:rolleyes:

[Coco91]

That sound dreadful - I've only ever had one group lesson, due to a double booking at the stables, and didn't feel that I learnt a lot. I have been having one to one lessons, and you learn so much faster. If you can't get canter (we all had that problem while learning - still do sometimes!), you can stop the horse and say 'what am I doing wrong?' If it needs a few minutes of conversation to sort it out, then you can have that time, without holding anyone up. And then the rest of the lesson would focus on that issue.

So you are not going back there then.......:rolleyes:

Nope not going back, and trying not to think about the £42 i paid for the priviledge, so wish I'd gone to my normal school. Silly, silly girl :(

[Merrybridge]

The grass is definately not greener..... I go to 2 RS's at the mo. The original one, with great facilities, the RI just seems to go through the motions although she's a nice person. However we never do any work without stirrups etc. So, my friends and I decided to try a different school. The first 5 or 6 lessons were great, varied lessons with plenty of feedback. However this school doesn't have an indoor school and in the winter the school was boggy in places so we only ever did flatwork and couldn't ride in the whole school. Then over a period of time we noticed how the RI was always talking about someone on the yard, a gossip, always moaning about something and as it turns out a liar as well regarding things she's done, horses she's supposed to own etc. I'm now really enjoying my original RS better mainly because I'm in a really nice class of people. Having said all that however, I'm currently looking at a horse at the mo who is stabled at a huge equestrian centre. When I was trying her out a couple of days ago, I got a one on one lesson with one of the RI for about 15-20 mins and it was fab. I learnt more in that short time that I think I've ever learnt in my normal lessons. If I get this horse I fully intend to have some private lessons if I can afford to. It made me realise how crap my current lessons actually are:rolleyes:

[Virago]

Interesting lesson to learn, Coco91! I'm wondering where you normally ride. I go to Contessa near Ware currently and I love it but it's a long way from where I live - about 30 miles. (I started going there because I worked nearby so it was convenient.)

I have been thinking of trying another RS nearer to where I live in Essex or work in Suffolk but I'm, wary of the same thing happening as happened to you! I reckon when one finds the 'right' RS, one should stick with it.

[Coco91]

Interesting lesson to learn, Coco91! I'm wondering where you normally ride. I go to Contessa near Ware currently and I love it but it's a long way from where I live - about 30 miles. (I started going there because I worked nearby so it was convenient.)

I have been thinking of trying another RS nearer to where I live in Essex or work in Suffolk but I'm, wary of the same thing happening as happened to you! I reckon when one finds the 'right' RS, one should stick with it.



I've sent you a PM, I ride at Contessa as well :D

[carrimclaren]

I'm sorry you had a horrible time, it's never easy going to knew riding schools and is always nerve wracking. I think what you went through is probably every person worst nightmare when starting to ride at a new school. Getting a dead to the leg horse which results in you feeling useless and topped off with a big audience. The one thing you can feel very happy about is you didn't fall off! It was always my final nail in the coffin as i'd usually end up falling off or doing something to disgrace myself :D
Don't kick yourself, don't worry and just chalk it up to experience i'm afraid ;)

[Coco91]

I'm sorry you had a horrible time, it's never easy going to knew riding schools and is always nerve wracking. I think what you went through is probably every person worst nightmare when starting to ride at a new school. Getting a dead to the leg horse which results in you feeling useless and topped off with a big audience. The one thing you can feel very happy about is you didn't fall off! It was always my final nail in the coffin as i'd usually end up falling off or doing something to disgrace myself :D
Don't kick yourself, don't worry and just chalk it up to experience i'm afraid ;)

Thanks, this post has definately made me feel better. I did get off 20 minutes early, as yes I was fully expecting to end up on the floor :o

[Imzadi83]

Considering all the commontion going on around you it could have gone a lot worse. Take a deep breath and let it all go. You survived and it was an expirence.

I know what you mean about being left to tack up a horse. There are signs at my RS saying you need to arrive ten min before your lesson to tack up your horse, if you're late maybe you can find someone to help, or not and if you can't do it you forfit your lesson. That's all well in good in theory and maybe they practice tacking up a horse with kids but they don't do it with the adults so I'd be pretty stuck. Luckily my RI doesn't seem to mind about this and is always willing to come over and help if you ask. Plus it seems I'm not the only one in the class who doesn't know how to tack up a horse so that makes me feel better. Really in a new school with a new horse you didn't know they should've never let you alone with him. For his benefit as well as yours. I mean I'm sure your a perfectally kind and nice person but they'd just met you after all.

[luv2jump2!!!]

Doesn't possibly begin with B the name does it... and they don't have a sister school up here do thye (Doncaster..) ? Sounds like a rather familiar setting...

[SO1]

I know the school you went to I think - I used to ride there all be it a few years back - though on a weekday evening so it was less busy - lots of RS are very busy at weekends, to charge £42 for a group lesson with 10 people sounds ridiculous.

In the end I left the school you were at as it was not suitable for me, shared for a while and now have my own which I keep on livery at another RS in London. I sometimes join in the group lessons there on my pony and have found them very good, they do not have more than 2 lessons at time in the indoor school and also have a nice outdoor as well which helps too.

http://www.londonridingschool.com/

Having said that you will find most riding schools will put you on the kick along types for your first lesson as they want to play it safe as they have not seen you ride!

[horseygal90]

Don't worry, I refused to canter in my assessment lesson at my current riding school (albeit a few years ago and when they were under different management)! I can't quite remember why, I think it was something to do with the immortal words my RI uttered that went along the lines of 'He likes to go... and go!' I still struggle occasionally to get Steppy to canter - He has his 'I'm a cob, you can't make me, you really wanna try?' moments. :p

We've all been there, don't worry about it. Just don't go back!

[carrimclaren]

Thanks, this post has definately made me feel better. I did get off 20 minutes early, as yes I was fully expecting to end up on the floor :o

See, if i'd had your sense then i'd have saved myself a lot of arguements and bruises :D Hope you find somewhere that suits you.

[happymom]

I am so sorry that you had a rotten time. I have been riding at the stable in question for a little over a year and am very happy. Yes, weekends are hell- for the staff too. But, working in a crowded ring has made me a more aware rider than I ever was as a teenager with a school to myself. I have yet to see a crash and once you get to grips with the etiquette, you don't notice the crowd. Please try an evening or the first ride on Sunday (no bday parties). I am sure that the RI's weren't talking about you in a mean way. They are all really sweet and supportive and do their best to figure out what makes you tick and how to motivate you. There is a women's riding session (we get the occassional man) wed. and fri. at !0:45 with a lecture, cake, coffee and gossip after for £25. It isn't possible if you work standard hours but I enjoy it so much that I have re-jigged my work to fit it in. It is sacrosanct for most of us and a lot more fun than sweating on a yoga mat, surrounded by anorexics, wondering when the Primrose Hill parking vultures will swoop.
Yes, Bob (or Ben, Brodie,Boysie) can be lumpen. But, they are very safe. When you develope a good seat and leg and they see that you aren't going to let them plod, they go very well. trust me.
Of course it is different from Contessa- and a bunch of us would like to do a dressage intensive there on the schoolmasters- but it is a really friendly place where you get to know the RI's and they really enjoy seeing you improve. It is expensive, I agree. But, consider its location and the fact that the horses only work 2 hrs. a day, 5 days a week or less and the staff ratio that keeps them in really good nick, and the cost of all the BHSAI's employed...

[Nathalie]

Your horse wasnt called 'Chalmer' by any chance?