Riding in Europe and the United States has given me many opportunities to determine what separates a good instructor from a bad one. Horse riding lessons are not cheap. You, the student, have a right to be happy with the caliber of instruction you are receiving and the rate of progress you are making.
A good way to find out if an instructor possesses the following key qualities is to watch their lectures and talk to existing students.
Ability
We all know the saying “those who can, do, and those who can’t, teach”. But horseback riding is one of those disciplines where an instructor who rides well inspires more confidence than one who doesn’t. Not all good cyclists are good coaches, but all the good coaches I have had have been good cyclists.
Ideally, instructors should proficiently ride at least one level higher than their students. If they are active and successful competitors, so much the better. They will also be able to prepare interested riders for the exhibition.
Even if the ride instructor teaches well, he or she should be able to clearly convey instructions, explaining the ‘why’ and ‘how’. The student must understand the reasons behind the training, not just how it is done. A good teacher will work to ensure that students understand what is being asked and will patiently repeat explanations when necessary.
It is helpful if the instructor is willing to jump on the student’s horse and solve the problems. Sitting on a horse often makes tackling problems easier than just giving advice from the ground. I had a cross country trainer who thought he was shortening my horse too much before a downhill fence until he got on the horse. “Oh!” he said, “It’s not you, he’s doing it by himself.” After that he was able to teach me how to help my horse.
Courtesy
Unfortunately, this is not a universal quality in riding instructors. Is the focus entirely on the bikers or on cell phone chatting with other people during the lesson? It is important to find a stable where the instructor takes the lessons seriously. Horseback riding is supposed to be fun, but you won’t make progress without paying attention to your students.
Are students spoken to with respect or made to feel stupid in front of other cyclists or spectators? You don’t want a coach who uses a student’s weaknesses to get cheap laughs. The coach must create a comfortable learning environment for riders of all levels and abilities.
This is a quick way to find out if the instructor is serious about their job. Does the lesson start on time and continue for the allotted time? An acceptable reason to cut the lesson short is when the horse has performed well, unexpectedly fast. If he has already jumped as high as he was asked, why make him continue until he tires and refuses? If he has mastered a new dressage move, why train him further? The instructor should reward you by finishing early: it teaches the student to show respect for the animal and keeps the horse fresh and willing.
But if the instructor is often late for a lesson and/or ends early for no good reason, find another. Your time and his money are too valuable to bear such rudeness.
Commitment
Instructors should begin to get acquainted with students by asking them what their goals are. Otherwise, how can you help them get there? For students on their own horses, does the instructor ask about the ages and backgrounds of their mounts and get an overview of what owners can reasonably expect to accomplish? Maybe they want to compete in a beginner’s day event, or a 3′ 6″ show jumping class, or move from training to top level dressage.
The next step is to assess how realistic the student’s goals are, and future frustration can be avoided by agreeing on a reasonable time frame for achieving them. The instructor must be committed to the success of his students, taking as much or as little time as necessary to achieve it. The process should not be extended to earn more money.
This is where it becomes important to assess whether or not existing clients are making progress with their prospective instructor. Does it build on the last lesson, adding more challenges (as appropriate), or does it do the same thing each time?
Are you willing to attend shows with students? For many cyclists, the ultimate goal is to compete. This can be very intimidating, and having the instructor on site helps tremendously in calming nerves and properly focusing attention.
Compatibility
It doesn’t matter how good an instructor is if you don’t like their personality or teaching style. His temper must follow, otherwise he will have trouble getting past the person and listening to instructions.
But it is possible to accept some negative aspects if you respect the coach. My jumping instructor in Germany is an example. During group lessons, she would yell at my husband and me, “You can jump, but you can’t ride!” However, there was nothing personal in his comments: he was harsh with everyone and always told the truth. A very successful jumper, he knew what he was talking about and was committed to making me a winner, which he did. He is one of the best instructors I have ever had.
However, overt personality clashes will result in unhappiness for both sides.
Final comments
Does an instructor have to demonstrate all four qualities to be right for you?
As the illustration above shows, it is possible to have a good working relationship with a less than perfect instructor! But don’t settle for someone who is incompetent, rude and also not interested in helping you achieve your goals. You want your time in the saddle to be satisfying and fun. Accept a little freedom on the personality side, but don’t underestimate yourself on the other qualities.