Sunline Equestrian School

Riding teachers come in many varieties. So do students.

Getting the right fit can mean the difference between productive learning and failure---So what do you look for? Some thoughts----

How far along are you in your riding, total beginner, somewhere in between, or expert? The teacher for one may not be good for the other. A university professor of astrophysics might not do well teaching second graders, and the second grade teacher might not have a clue teaching high level material.

What kind of teaching meshes with your learning style? Can you thrive under a more disciplined approach, or do you need a softer style to bring out your best work?

Are you primarily a visual learner, a kinesthetic learner, or an auditory learner? Find the teacher that fits your strengths.

Are you more comfortable with one instructor, or do you learn better by having different teachers for different aspects of your riding, as an event rider might have one dressage coach, another for jumping?

Do you prefer being pushed over being allowed to progress at your own pace?

Do you find that you thrive under lots of praise and cheer leading, or are you better served by someone who tells it like it is?

Can you have meaningful discussions after lessons, questions and answers, or are you finished once the lesson has concluded?

I don't think that any of these have right or wrong answers, because they are aimed at individual learning styles, with a couple of possible exceptions.

Some teachers are not knowledgeable enough to provide valid information, and some teachers are OK with using methods that are tough on horses, and neither of these are productive. This leads to the obvious question, though, of "How do I know the difference if I am a green rider?"

Probably the honest answer is "You can't." But maybe a friend can, or some other more experienced person.

Some of this---possibly the key to this---is whether or not it feels right. If you eagerly look forward to your lessons, that's far different from being apathetic, or, worse, almost dreading them.

But don't be in too much of a hurry to decide, because things take time to assimilate.

Says it all....

Most horses with the Spring grass right now!

You don't have to ride your horse. It's ok if you don't ride your horse. It is not a requirement of horse ownership that you RIDE your horse.

I often hear people talk -
"(name) NEVER rides his/her horse! I don't know why (name) bothers having a horse, why does (name) spend all that money on board, and farrier, and veterinarian, and vaccinations and NEVER ride their horse? What a waste of money!"

First of all, it's none of their business what (name) does with his/her horse and his/her money. None.

Secondly, so what? Who care's?? If the horse is happy and well taken care of, then it's all good. I promise you that the horse is not standing in it's pen/pasture/stall saying to itself "Oh I wish (name) would come ride me!". or "Oh goody, here comes (name) to take me for a gallop around the barrels". Horses don't function like that. Horses look for and require food, water, shelter and companionship. Being ridden is not on their list of daily requirements for survival.

To be honest, I have a lot of respect for people who don't ride their horses, but are still willing to spend the necessary money, time and effort it takes to be a conscientious horse owner.

Maybe (name) has good reason not to ride, perhaps they have physical limitations, or too many demands on their time, or perhaps they just don't want to ride. Perhaps they struggle with their confidence and prefer groundwork, perhaps they don't like to ride or work with their horse when no one else is around. Perhaps they really just like to own a horse and derive as much enjoyment just being a horse owner, providing a good life for a horse they love and want to support, for as long as they can.

Perhaps we should not judge what people do with their horses, (or don't do), as long as those horses are well taken care of.

So next time someone says to you that they own a horse, but they don't ride, don't give them that stare of disbelief, don't put them down or make snide remarks. Instead, praise them for being a dedicated horse owner, for being willing to do what is necessary for a horse to have a good life, for being a good person, regardless of what they do, or don't do, with their horse.

Horses need good people, not all good horse people ride.

I am a lesson horse.
I am a horse that isn’t as recognized as the top hunter jumpers, the best western pleasure horse, or the 1D barrel horse, I am a lesson horse. I am the backbone of the foundation to do all of those things. I am a lesson horse.

I am not loved by one person. I am loved by several people. I don’t have my person, I have my people. I am a lesson horse.

I will teach your child and yourself more than just to ride. I will bring your child out of their shell. I will teach your child about life. I will be yours and their shoulder to cry on. I am a lesson horse.

I will bring my family the joy of teaching kids. I will bring my families business growth. I am so loved by my family, even if they don’t express it everyday. My family allows others to show me love and enjoy me. I am a lesson horse.

At the end of your childs’ journey on a lesson horse, they will out grow me. They will find one that jumps higher, a horse that is show quality, a horse much faster than me. But, I will never outgrow being a lesson horse. I will be the one that loved your child and helped your child grow into the rider and person they are. I am a lesson horse.

At the end of my time as a lesson horse; I will be covered in grey hair. Each grey hair came from each hour I spent as a lesson horse. I will be in a field of green grass, I will be taken care of as I was when I was a lesson horse. I will watch your child from across the pasture love her new horse. But, I will love your child more than any horse can. I will be the backbone of the business, the family, and your child. Don’t forget about me, I am a lesson horse.

I am a lesson horse.
*stolen from a friend *
Photo credit Juniper Lane Photography
Models Harper Meyer and Missy

How to get the most out of your lesson.

Having lessons is expensive and if you have booked a lesson then you are obviously committed to improving and learning. Here’s how to get value out of your lesson.

1. Pick the right trainer! Word of mouth is the best way to find a trainer that’s good for you. Check out their reviews on fb or their websites. Ask friends who they go to. Watch riders doing well and ask who their trainer is. Make sure the trainer can do what it is you want to learn. Watch them with their own horses.
2. Check that their facilities are professional and safe. A w**d infested paddock full of holes and hazards is not going to facilitate a good learning environment.
3. Give them some background info. Be honest with yourself and them. If you can’t even get on your horse without being petrified then tell them. That way they can devise a plan for your level.
4. Be on time!! If your lesson is at 10am that doesn’t mean turn up at 10am and spend half an hour getting ready! It means be ready to start the lesson at 10am .Aim to arrive with plenty of time to brush and tack up your horse.
5. Depending on what the lesson is you may also want to warm up your horse before the lesson starts.
6. If you have to cancel please let your trainer know in plenty of time so they can take another student. After all they need to earn an income. Ringing up an hour before your lesson and cancelling because you thought you’d have lunch with friends instead is NOT OK!!
7. If you aren’t sure where to go or if you have trouble loading your horse factor that time in too.
8. Be prepared to be challenged and go outside your comfort zone. Don’t go to the lesson because you want the trainer to tell you how awesome you are. Go with an open mind and be prepared to learn. They may tell you some home truths but as long as it is done constructively then take on board what they say.
9. Be tidy and prepared. Its really hard to give someone a lesson if the bridle is way too big for the horse or the horse has overgrown feet and 2 shoes missing. You don’t have to turn up in the latest designer gear but you should be clean and tidy with suitable boots and an approved safety hat.
10. Be safe. A reputable trainer will have a comprehensive Health and Safety plan. We have spent considerable time and money putting systems in place to keep you and ourselves safe. So don’t be offended if you have to fill in forms before you start or are asked to wear a riding helmet.
11. Your trainer should give you homework. Make sure you do it!! Improving starts with you and your commitment to do some work between lessons.
At lastly , you should leave the lesson feeling happy and inspired and having achieved something!

Fantastic group lessons today at Arena Hire Taupo super facilities and the weather was great too! Love coaching.

Well this is very true...riders read on

Whenever I even HINT about the idea that a riding instructor might be less than "tactful" while teaching, it is inevitable that there will be some comments about how damaging that can be to the student, and, when taken to extremes, I agree that it can be demeaning and insulting and negative.

But when I talk about "demanding standards" that is simply a case of the old familiar "It is what it is."

You are, for example, trying to sit the trot. You either bounce a lot, or you bounce a little, or you don't bounce at all. So, if your instructor has demanding standards, and wants you to get to the point in your riding that you no longer bounce, that does not make her a "mean" instructor.

I would rather have someone tell me the truth than be "taught" by someone who just says "good" all the time.

And I am totally aware that many instructors have learned the hard way, from having lost students that they could not afford to lose, to sugar coat to the point that reality is glossed over, and standards are relaxed.

"Tell me what I want to hear, or I will go find a teacher who will."

And while you can do that, chances are you will keep on happily making the same mistakes that you are allowed to make---

Whatever---Each rider's individual choice---

I have this sense that as we, our collective "we" in the Olympic disciplines, lose these iconic coaches and riders, the secrets and techniques and knowledge they had is also being lost as they slip away.

I don't know that there are not current riders with the demanding standards of their era, but if there are, it is pretty well hidden-----Or at any rate, disrespected, or considered irrelevant?

This is a made up story, not aimed at any specific rider, but I think that there is a fairly clear point to be grasped---

Susie is 15, and taking lessons at a local barn. Her riding teacher is neither famous nor well known, but is a valid teacher with a good education.

Susie's teacher, let's call her Betty, tells Susie about the importance of correct basics. This will include the acquisition of an independent seat, the ability to feel gradations of the canter, an eye for a distance, an orthodox position both over fences and on the flat, patience, a positive attitude, we all have heard "the drill."

But Susie, and, perhaps even more so, Susie's parents, want success for their bright and aspiring daughter. They arrange for Susie to "move up" to a more famous teacher, let's call her Katie, who also teaches correct basics, but also understands the mentality of people like Susie and her parents.

The new teacher, Katie, knows that the need to win is driving this little family, so Katie finds Susie a better horse. The new horse has enough talent to let Susie win, and this sort of hides the fact that all those basic skill sets that Betty first suggested that Susie learn a few years back have not been thoroughly acquired.

And now, in a further attempt to provide "the best" for Susie, it is arranged that she go somewhere in Europe, as a working student for someone even more famous---

Susie arrives, and pays plenty of money to be told that what she really needs is the acquisition of an independent seat, the ability to feel gradations of the canter, an eye for a distance, an orthodox position both over fences and on the flat, patience, and a positive attitude.

HELLO----Where have we heard this before?

Heads up! When we get to the appropriate covid level,I will be having a second hand gear sale. Riding clothes boots, girths, bridles, stirrups,tendon boots, a few saddles,saddles blankets,covers and so much more. Will update with a definite date when we all know what we are doing!