How to get the most from your riding lesson
Every minute in the saddle counts. This is particularly true when it comes to your riding lessons.
Those pearls of wisdom your instructor drops.
Those special moments when you actually get it.
Whether it be picking up your rising trot on the correct diagonal
(without looking down).
Or putting the finishing touches on your canter pirouette,
You want,
Neigh
Wait…
Need to get the most out of your investment.
And – it is an INVESTMENT.
An investment in yourself and your horse.
1 Have a Plan
Have a plan.
This means that you should have a conversation with your trainer about what your goals are.
Your riding goals are important.
If you are a recreational rider
Vs
A competitive rider heading to a championship or showing for points your program will be different.
And
It should be different.
If you are unable to discuss your goals with your trainer and coach then it may be time to shop around for a new person.
Your goals should be:
- Specific –
“Being a better rider” isn’t specific. You, to establish your goal should be specific.
“I will be able to jump a 2’ 9” course with confidence by <this date>”.
This is more specific. You know who is involved, and what the specific goal is to be attained and an end date. - Measurable –
Jumping has a measurable component to it.
Let’s say you are competing for points to get to the championships.
You goal could be “I will attend 4 shows during this show season and obtain <XXX>points toward attaining championship status.
These are definite measurable goals.
Or
If you are riding dressage
“Improved dressage scores” is not measurable or specific enough
Try instead
“My dressage scores will improve by 25% from last years scores.
If you can give it a number then give it a number.That way you can see your improvement. - Attainable – Realistic
Realistic and attainable goals are also important.
To say you would like your dressage scores to be 9.5’s or 10’s may be a little un-realistic and maybe even un-attainable.
Maybe say that your dressage scores be 6.5 or 7.0 could be more attainable. - Time –
Having a time associated with your goal will keep you on schedule.
If your coach or trainer is not approachable or not willing to sit with you to develop your long term and short term goals…
It may be time to start to scout out another trainer or coach.
Or
If you feel that the goals and lessons that are mapped out for you are not aligning with YOUR goals,
Guess what?
Maybe it is time to invest in YOURSELF
And find someone who is aligning yourself with your plans.
I help a lot of riders:
- Find their goals
- Achieve their goals
- Map out how to get to their goals
It isn’t hard and I don’t want to hold anyone back from not getting what they want.
If you would like some help, no problem take a look at what I do right here.
2 Listen to Your Instructor
This may sound silly.
Yes of course you listen to your coach.
But now add an extra layer on to it.
Take a few minutes at the end of the lesson to review the lesson.
Get a journal and write it down in your journal. I know that I started doing this a long time ago and have often referred back to my horse riding journal entries to find out clues or reasons why my horse may be spooky.
Like the time my gelding was a particular TOAD and spooky.
2 weeks before he blew out an abscess in his hoof.
Or why for no special reason the horses broke out of the fence.
Turns out there was a severe storm just 24 hours after. They new.
Or even to review an exercise that was particularly helpful.
Having a riding journal is a mandatory thing if you have a share lease with someone else.
A must have.
This is where you and the other riders record what they did.
This is particularly important if you are training for a specific purpose and you do not want to over jump or over do a certain exercise.
Keeping track is important for your overall training.
What if you can’t hear your instructor?
Ask them to repeat and explain.
Particularly if you are having issues.
Don’t continue down the wrong path because you didn’t hear or understand what you were supposed to do. Get clarification. Get in depth explanation.
3 Arrive Early
This means don’t buzz into the stable parking lot expecting or hoping that your horse will be ready for you. I can tell you there is nothing more irritating than having people arrive late for lessons.
This is of particular importance if you are at a riding school and lessons are back
To back
To back.
Arriving on time will also show the coach that you are serious about your riding.
Check with your stable’s riding policy regarding arrival time.
It may be something that has been spelled out.
Thou shalt arrive in time to prepare thou’s horse in time for the lesson.
At very least if your horse is already ready, there may be opportunity to help someone else who has not accounted for traffic or weather conditions and you can help speed up their prep time so they won’t be late.
Don’t worry.
Your instructor will know that you are helping out and it will work in your favor if you happen to be late at some point.
4 Watch the Other Riders
You would be surprised how much you can learn from the best rider.
And
From the worst rider (let’s hope that’s not you).
If the teacher tells the rider just before you to sit up tall and look into the corner.
Then
MY GOODNESS
They shouldn’t have to tell you the same thing.
If however, you are off in La-La land and you are day dreaming about your next Tick-Tock video then don’t blame me if your instructor loses their sh!t because they have to repeat
Repeat
Repeat
Repeat
Themselves.
When I am teaching, if i have to tell the same thing to each person that makes me angry.
Why not listen…
And try
Just try
To not repeat the same thing that the previous rider had done.
And
If I ask you what I said to the person in front of you,
Beside you,
Or
Behind you.
Then you better be paying attention.
If you are unsure how to fix <what the instructor said to fix> then
A S K
5 Take a Video
Make sure there is no policy against taking a video.
This is particularly important if you are taking a special clinic with a guest instructor.
Taking a video will allow you to review what you did particularly well and show you what it looks like.
And
Connect the dots between what it feels like and what it looks like.
I work with equestrians of all types to help them improve their riding and training and win more ribbons and accomplish their goals.
You can learn more about that here.
or if you’d like to discuss in more detail how I can help you, please email me. I’d love to hear from you.
Thanks,
~Laura
P.S.
