Wishing I could learn more

[allgrrl]

In my last post I mentioned that I have been learning from a woman that has given up her free time to teach me basics, through emails and in person. This is all being done for free.. Which I totally appreciate and am grateful for.
I have only been able to meet with her twice. Once I borrowed some learning videos and a book and the second time I spent time with her and the horse at the ranch. I was hoping to get together with her this week and unfortunately our plans fell through. She is very busy and I am not so busy.
I guess I am just writing to share my sadness.
Thanks for listening!!!

[Mark]

Just noticed your post - I hope you have managed to get another lesson since you left it! I know what you mean though, once you get interested in riding you want to go all the time. Because its summer my school is really busy now and they can't always fit me in for a lesson. (It will be even worse when the schools break up for the summer holidays). That can be quite depressing when it's your only escape!:(

Cheer up though - I'm sure you've got many happy years of riding to come! :)

[KarinUS]

Last year in October I decided to start taking riding lessons (I was already 28 then but have always wanted a horse- just never got around to taking lessons...).
It's usually really dry in our part of Texas but last winter it rained all the time.
I had only one lesson with Western Instructor #1, then we always had to reschedule because of the weather and her other obligations. :(
I moved on to Western instructor #2, but still only an outdoor arena and after about 2 lessons in one month due to rain I looked for a riding school with an indoor arena.
Instructor #3 worked out okay until I had to get back to school after the break (I work and attend university). She didn't offer evening or weekend lesson, so I was "barn-less" again. By that time I had a total of 5 lessons in 3 months!
I was almost ready to give up when I found instructor #4. I started with her right after New Years. I feel this instructor/ the barn (indoor + outdoor arena,+trails) and I are a good match. She even convinced me to switch from Western to English which actually suits me better than I thought. I've found the perfect place. I soon went from weekly lessons, to lesson's twice a week and finally got the feeling I was progressing. She cancelled on me once- after a horse had kicked her in the face!
As nice as this lady is to you, you may wish to consider looking for steady instruction, before you get too frustrated to continue...
Good Luck! :)

[allgrrl]

Hi Karin, where in TX? Im in austin.

I actually am looking for a new instructor. Hoping I have more luck! :)

[KarinUS]

I am close, but probably not close enough. The barn is called Retama Polo Center (luckily Polo season is over and all the polo people are gone again!). It's located in Selma , right behind the Retama Race Tracks. It is just NE outside of San Antonio. I've looked at Austin. It seems like you have some great tack shops and places to ride there- especially English!!! Don't worry, I'm sure it will be easier to find someone in your area... :)
BTW: Why are you switching instructors?

[allgrrl]

Well, I have not heard from the girl I was learning from in about 2 weeks. She is not a professional, just a girl I met that was willing to teach me. I truly think she just is a busy person. She is young and probably has better things to do than spend her time with a 28 year old and teach her how to ride. :(

Selma is a little far.. But it is nice to find Texans on the board. ( I can not consider myself texan, I only moved here about 4years ago from PA)