Bad lesson and I even stayed on this time

[Imzadi83]

I got my Stumpy to ride on *hugs Stumpy*. When she started trotting though I got scared. And though I tried as long as I could I just didn't feel confident to trot very long and told my RI so. When it was my turn to go around we walked. My RI had me practice keeping my heels down and had be weave in and out of cones, go through some downed boards and practice halting at a certian spot. I tried really hard to do what I did well and tried to look ahead to where I was going and not down at Stumpy's head. I was still scared and thought I did well considereing.

Apperantly not.

After class my RI came to me and asked me what I thought. I said I got back on and didn't fall off and thought that was enough for tonight. She wanted to know how I thought I was gonna be next class. I told her I didn't know, which was true as I was not prepared for how terrified I was this class just being back on a horse. She basiclly said that the rest of the class was too advanced to me and that she was teaching at an Intermediate A or B level and I needed more begining work she couldn't (I really thing it was more of a wouldn't) provide. Now this was supposed to be, as what I signed up for was, a begining adult class. Which is what really makes me mad. She said I could some on a Sat cause they are small classes. But they are also with Student Instructers and I do not have confidence with that here. I was very hurt and angry and have cried a lot over it but now I'm mostly angry. I will not be returning to this riding school and will look into finding another. I'm really so angry and hurt I could spit nails. Because it is just not fair to advertise a class as a beginners class and then chastise someone for being a beginner. A lot of what they do is poor and dangerous business if you ask me and it's high time I quit.

[Spider]

they are a riding school yet they cant prove beginner work???
what type of riding school doesnt cater for beginners?!

I once had a lesson with a student instructor and it were the worst lesson i ever had, she told me the total oppsite to what the actually fully trained RI told me.

I think you would probably be better finding a new RS where you feel confident and comfortable :)

Good luck x

[oinkmoooink]

I would definatly find a new riding school, but remember that the instructor does need to cater for the other people in the class as well, they pay for her time as well.
I think you did very well to get back on the horse, and you should only do what you feel confident doing, but she did offer you an alternative date.

I tihnk what you need is to find a riding school that will offer some private lessons, and take just a few until you get your confidence back, thats what i did when i first started riding, i still only have private lessons because i find group lessons a bit useless and have a freelance instructor nowadays anyway.
It does help having the one on one tuition though.

[HJ&Katie]

I love 2 of the RI's at the yard i have my lessons at - the owner is ok too, but one of them doesn't have a clue. The problem is that one of the fantastic ones is having problems with someone at the yard and things are a bit wierd at the moment.
Are there any other schools you could try in your area?

[horseygal90]

I really think you should get a new school... And get the money back for the lessons you've already paid for.

Your RI reminds me a lot of the woman who 'taught' me in my final lesson at my last riding school, bearing in mind I am not a nervous rider and I've been doing this for 12 years at this point, the lesson started at 10 in the morning and she had me in tears by quarter past the hour. She was rude, arrogant and to be perfectly honest wrong in what she was telling me.

Don't quit mate, chalk it up to experience and go and find somewhere that really cares, somewhere that can actually cater for a beginner rider. There's nothing wrong with being a beginner - Everyone has to start somewhere and no-one should make you feel small or stupid for wanting to learn a great sport. I'm so angry for you right now... :mad:

[robbitybob]

Dont quit!!! You have done really well.

I had a student teacher for a while and actually found her fantastic so it could be worth giving a try, I am sure in a group of riders that are closer to your own level will really help you to feel more confident.

But do have a look around and if there is another school handy to you then why not check it out.

just dont quit :)

[horse_crazy]

I really think you should get a new school... And get the money back for the lessons you've already paid for.

Your RI reminds me a lot of the woman who 'taught' me in my final lesson at my last riding school, bearing in mind I am not a nervous rider and I've been doing this for 12 years at this point, the lesson started at 10 in the morning and she had me in tears by quarter past the hour. She was rude, arrogant and to be perfectly honest wrong in what she was telling me.

Don't quit mate, chalk it up to experience and go and find somewhere that really cares, somewhere that can actually cater for a beginner rider. There's nothing wrong with being a beginner - Everyone has to start somewhere and no-one should make you feel small or stupid for wanting to learn a great sport. I'm so angry for you right now... :mad:

Second this!

I'm so so glad your finding a new Rs, you'll be much happyer :)

[BlackBess]

Hi
Just wanted to say, please don't quit. I was in a very similar situation to you a couple of months ago. I went to an RS where I was made to feel 1mm tall and they got me to the point where I felt like giving it all up. When I posted on NR, I got some fantastic replies and among them, one that stuck in my mind was a great piece of advice that the only thing I needed to give up was that RS. So, I did and it was one of the best things I've done. But just to add, the best RI I had whilst at this RS was a student instructor and I wish to this day I could find out where she's gone.

Don't stay at an RS that makes you feel bad or puts you down for being a beginner, we all have to start somewhere and some people, like me, that have confidence issues progress slower. Find a new RS with a sympathetic instructor and I'm sure you'll progress really fast. Good luck and best wishes.

[sarah edwards]

dito all the above id make a complaint personally about the instructer thats awful ! i had a riding leson ages ago when i asked for a horse for a jumping lesson and a good instructor and when i arrived for my lesson i had a small pony that looked like it couldnt heave its self over a pole and a lad younger than me and walked up to me and said hi im your instructor thers your horse what do you want todo !! i laughed at him and said you aint teaching me and when he asked me why i said i no more about horses than you are you qualified and he said no i help out around the yard ill be teaching you i soon put him in his place and complained to the owners and eventully i got my lesson on a decent horse not a pony that was to small for me and a instructor that new what she was doing and at half price, make your feelings aware to the owners of the school and find some wher a lot more acomodating for your needs as a begineer you should be able to take things at your own pace and come out of the comfort zone when your ready to take you riding further good luck and dont give up you will find a good riding school who will acomodate you just fine with a pacient instructor who will fill you with confidence and you will soon start enjoying your lessons and learning at a quicker speed

[Grinyer224]

In my area (Telford) it has always been best to go to one which has a pony club because they will teach yound children so will know how to handle nervous riders

[Kittycat]

Surely in a beginners class there are going to be beginners progressing at different rates? Some will get the hang of trot quicker than others, some will be able to steer better than others. Some could therefore be practicing simple circles at walk at one end of the arena while others are trotting at the other end for example. Most of the time though you would all be working on the same basics, your position, seat and steering.

When I fell off my RS pony in Sept I broke my collarbone and although I rode again after a few weeks I was limited as to what I could do. I still stayed in the group lesson, but didn't trot for long and avoided canter. I still learnt stuff though, when the others did faster work I did low speed things. My point being, you can cater for different abilities if you try.

If you really want to continue there, could you think about a few private lessons to give you a bit more confidence and bring you up to speed (so to speak!)?