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How To Choose Your Ideal Instructor

You've just come back from watching the regional dressage finals and you're psyched. What elegance! What harmony! What precision! You'd love to learn more about the whole training process and you're wondering how to find the right person to guide you. Make no mistake: locating the ideal dressage instructor can make learning fun and challenging. Choosing the wrong mentor is not only frustrating and demoralizing but may also convince you to make golf your new sport.

Ideally, you would like to avoid the time, expense and frustration of a trial-and-error selection process. A simple, logical plan that includes some on-site research will help you make an intelligent decision about your instructor.

Begin your effort with some preliminary legwork. Ask other dressage riders about their experiences. Check out both the training and competitive records of the teachers you're considering. One of the best ways to gather information is through firsthand observation: follow prospective instructors to competitions, attend one of their clinics, watch them at home. Then carefully evaluate what you've seen, keeping in mind the constraints and advantages inherent in each situation.

A Trio of Test Grounds
Competitions - If competing is on your agenda, it's important to observe your potential instructor at shows. This is a good time to gather information, but it won't tell you the whole story because a versatile instructor usually changes hats and becomes a coach. You will be able to determine how he interacts with his horses and students, but you might not be able to get all the information you need about his communication skills as a teacher. The reason is simple: the day of a show is not the time for a riding lesson. By the time you get to a competition, you and your horse probably have "learned" all you are going to know at that point. Your teacher's job at that moment is to be a mirror for you and to get you and your mount to the arena in a confident and relaxed state of mind. The caveat to bear in mind in this situation is that a good coach is not necessarily a great teacher, and vice versa.

Clinics - There are positive and negative aspects to observing a potential instructor at a clinic. In this setting, you'll see him deal with a variety of horses and students. You can judge his abilities to quickly assess what needs to be done as well as his interests in working with average horses and novice riders. Most importantly, you'll be able to get a good feeling for his integrity and sincerity. Does he maintain his focus or is he only partially involved in the session and more interested in socializing with the auditors? Does he use the lesson as an excuse to vent his emotion and perhaps massage his own ego, or does he conduct himself professionally?

You'll have the opportunity to gain additional insights if you ride in the clinic. For instance, does the instructor offer constructive criticism yet leave you feeling encouraged about your abilities? Does he really teach or have you only been directed in the session?

You'll know that your experience has been worthwhile if the instructor offers you a plan to take home and carry out independently. You might think you've had a great ride because you were told at the right moment, "Right leg now," or "More bend," or "Close your left hand," and your horse responded correctly. But for the lesson to really be of value, you need to understand the why, how and when of those things so you can recreate the moment on your own.

The downside to observing an instructor at a clinic is that some fantastic teachers are not necessarily adept at dealing with new situations. They need a certain amount of time to determine the best approach to a particular horse and rider. These teachers may seem to fall short at a clinic, but they are just what the doctor ordered for working with riders over a longer period.

At home - The best place to observe your potential teacher is at his own farm. If possible, spend a whole day there and evaluate him in a real life situation. Watch the way he interacts both with animals and people. Are the horses treated firmly and kindly? Is their health and well-being a priority? What are the approaches toward warm-up? Is there a systematic method within each schooling session? How is the horse worked throughout the week? Is playtime in the schedule?

One of the most important considerations is how this person interacts with people. As a professional, he should be courteous and sensitive to the needs of others. There's no excuse for rudeness. Mutual respect between instructor and student fosters a healthy atmosphere for learning. And one of your major concerns should be whether this person intentionally creates dependency or if he proudly looks forward to the day when the student surpasses the teacher.

Ask yourself about his communication skills. Is he articulate or does he make training sound confusing and mysterious? Can he organize a lesson in a logical way? Are the standards honest and high? Does he set daily as well as long-term goals that are just out of reach, but not out sight?

Take note of the atmosphere during a lesson. Ideally, it is relaxed, yet professional. And no one is ever subjected to any form of verbal abuse, which is antithetical to learning. Avoid the screamer who feels that sheer volume is the pathway to understanding. This person sounds impressive (maybe) but either lacks the skill and knowledge to explain things or is too lazy to do so. On the other hand, don't be fooled by the abuser who is soft spoken and gentle, but who cleverly manipulates you into thinking you are physically or mentally inept. Then there's the insecure type who strokes his own ego at your expense by publicly embarrassing you. You do not need to put up with any of this, and you certainly should not be shelling out hard earned cash for it.

Priorities And Pitfalls
Be honest with yourself. Find an instructor who suits your personality, learning style and emotional needs. Some riders learn better with a left-brained verbal technique while others do better with a right-brained visual approach. Decide if you blossom in a nurturing, supportive atmosphere or whether you need to be externally motivated. A casual and relaxed style that is perfect for your best friend, Sally, might not be challenging enough for you. And what seems militant and intense to Bob might be the sort of discipline and focus you would thrive on. You know your needs better than anyone so do not succumb to peer pressure.

One major mistake that riders often make when choosing an instructor is to assume that an accomplished competitor or trainer will make a good teacher. This does not necessarily follow; it is unreasonable to expect one individual to excel in all areas. In fact, some of the most brilliant trainers make the worst teachers. This is because they ride so much by instinct and feel that they have a hard time articulating what they do.

I remember being at Herbert Rehbein's in Germany. He rode my horse for a while, and when I got back on, I was able to do unbelievable canter pirouettes. I asked him what he had done and he looked at me totally perplexed, shrugged his shoulders and simply said, "It's just riding." Easy for him to say! You can learn the feeling of what you are striving for from great trainers like Rehbein, and that can be quite a lure for someone looking for an instructor. But for those just starting out, it is often more beneficial to work with someone who can break things down into basics and explain them step by step.

Another pitfall for the novice is thinking that because someone does not have a huge competitive record at the highest levels that they have nothing of value to offer. Unless you are going to the next Olympics, you probably do not need a Grand Prix instructor. What you need is someone with a knowledge of classical principles who can communicate that information in an understandable way.

So do not be snob, but do not sell yourself short either. Don't ride with the unqualified instructor next door because you feel you are not worthy of anyone better. In addition, beware the "teacher" who has hung out a shingle without valid credentials. Just because these people have worked with qualified instructors does not mean they themselves are competent.

In the future, the USDF system of certifying instructors will provide a guide. At this time, certified instructors are qualified through Second or Fourth Level. Uncertified instructors are not necessarily unqualified since certification is not mandatory.

The 80-20 Rule
Of course learning should be fun and stimulating, but I am not naive enough to pretend it is going to be a blast 100% of the time. But consider the 80-20 rule: If you enjoy working with an individual and are happy with your lessons 80 percent of the time, stick with that person. If you leave your sessions extremely frustrated or in tears, it's probably time to look for a different instructor. You may not find that individual overnight, but the fruits of a successful search will be worth 100 percent of the effort.

Reprinted with permission of Dressage Today. Copyright 1998.
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