URGENT! How to impress new horseback riding trainer?

Question

K. so I haven't had a trainer for the past three years after I left my old barn because my old trainer quit to take care of her family. I've been teaching myself instead with no real professional guidance. however, I've moved up from showing my once green horse in green horse classes, jumping only cross rails, to now competing in 3' jumper classes. every trainer I talk to at shows are shocked that I don't have a trainer, and apparently I haven't lost my edge. but today after school I'm meeting and riding with a new trainer for the first time, and now that I'm actually an experienced rider, I'll like to make it an effort to impress her. any ideas? ( tack wise, clothing wise, eq, questions I should ask, etc) thanks in advance guys!
and I know for a fact I will be jumping in this lesson with her so any info on how to impress will be helpful. meeting her in 4 hours so this is urgent. thanks

Answer 1

Any trainer worth their salt will ask you what your experience has been in the past and go from there. I would suggest you come dressed as you would be at a regular practice. No need to go all "bells and whistles" at your first meeting. Just relax, be honest and follow the prospective trainer's instructions. It is hard for someone like you, a self-starter and inwardly motivated rider, to step back and begin instruction again. Come prepared to take the advice of your trainer and you will impress her with your ability to be "reined" back in so you can be refined and improve in your equestrian events in the future. Again, be honest, be open and be ready to learn.

Answer 2

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RE:

URGENT! How to impress new horseback riding trainer?

K. so I haven't had a trainer for the past three years after I left my old barn because my old trainer quit to take care of her family. I've been teaching myself instead with no real professional guidance. however, I've moved up from showing my once green horse in green horse classes,...

Answer 3

I think the best way to impress some one about your abilities it so handle any horse you ride with confidence and and skill.

Getting a not so well trained horse to work well is very impressive.

I truly believe that a great horseman can get on about any horse and in a short time have them working great, while the best trained horse can be almost ruined an a week by a poor rider.

Answer 4

You're going at this all wrong.



I used to teach folks at your level, up to 3'3". Wanna know what impresses me? NOT clothing, or tack or fabricated questions.



*Be early

*Be attentive

*Be polite

*Use proper ring etiquette

*Ask intelligent questions based upon the exercise I'm putting you through.

*If you do not know something, don't act like you do -- be HUMBLE

*Don't ride above your ability or overstate what you've done



In regards to your concerns, dress properly for your sport, ie: low heeled boots, like paddock boots, a collared short that's tucked in, riding breeches & a belt with black half chaps or tall boots, gloves. And ASTM approved helmet, too, of course.



Far as tack goes, I don't care of you ride in a Butet or a Stuben, in a Jimmy's bridle or a State Line Tack special. All I care is that it FITS, is in safe condition, relatively clean, and appropriate for the job. Don't show up with your horse in a gag if you're only jumping 3'.. there's absolutely no need for it.



Most good trainers are way too old & cynical to be 'impressed' by any new student.

Ride well, be normal, have fun.

Answer 5

Dress appropriately (clean boots, breeches, polo shirt, belt, bring spurs and a crop).



Be honest about your experience and abilities. There's nothing an instructor hates more than to have someone come in and Talk the Talk, and then finding out that person can't Walk the Walk.



On that same note, don't act like a know-it-all. If you're riding your own horse, you know your horse better than her, but don't immediately snub her if she says something you don't particularly agree with. Likewise, if you're riding one of her horses, don't argue with a particular method... if you dislike her teaching/training style, just don't go back.



Be attentive and listen, do not argue back or talk over her.



It really comes down to manners. Be polite, etc.



As far as what to ask, I'd ask about her training philosophies (to see if they match mine... nothing worse than butting heads over training), and I'd ask about showing (where, when, how often, etc.).



Good luck!

Answer 6

Dress in clean, good-looking riding clothes (breeches, some sort of clean shirt, and clean boots), clean tack.

Ask about her experience, how she teaches, and how successful her former students have been.

However, don't try too hard. Most people like an honest, straightforward person who doesn't try to pull out all the stops to make others like them. It's cliche, but be yourself. If you're normally funny, be funny. If you're normally serious, be serious. If you're normally a jerk.. well, don't be a jerk. IT'S CHRISTMAS!!

Sorry, had to throw that last bit in there. But you get the idea:)

Good Luck!:)

Oh, and congrats on progressing so far on your own, that's really impressive!

Answer 7

I wouldn't worry about what to wear one bit as long as you don't wear your Bozo the Clown outfit. Be respectful of your instructor's time and knowledge and place! That means basic things like being on time, shutting up and listening until asked for a comment, and picking up after yourself and the horse you are riding. you should leave the place in a better state than you found it.



I would just listen and be careful with the people at the barn and the horses (as in actually care about them). Be very honest about what you don't know and what you hope to learn more about. Have fun and smile!

Answer 8

As sure as you try to impress somebody on a horse something will go wrong, you or the horse will have an off day. Just to into the whole thing with an open mind. If she finds something wrong with your riding accept it if you want to learn to be better.

Answer 9

Honestly, I wouldn't worry so much about impressing someone but just focus on your riding. Show up in your breeches and a polo shirt and belt with your boots and helmet so you look presentable.



For my students, you know what would really impress me? Is if they actually started working out at home and doing their exercises I give them to practice on the ground.

Answer 10

lol

how you impress is with riding skill.

that's it.

don't fall off. don't mess up too bad. be professional.