Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/17/84; site inuxd.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!ihnp4!inuxc!inuxd!jla
From: jla@inuxd.UUCP (Joyce Andrews)
Newsgroups: net.rec
Subject: Re: Instruction in EQUESTRIAN activities (LONG)
Message-ID: <807@inuxd.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 4-Nov-85 17:57:35 EST
Article-I.D.: inuxd.807
Posted: Mon Nov  4 17:57:35 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 5-Nov-85 09:14:55 EST
References: <1110@decwrl.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Consumer Products, Indianapolis
Lines: 80

> Outline: (you KNOW it's long when...)
> 
> 	1. My background (novice, combined training)
> 	2. My experience with instruction
> 		(I agree with initial observation: lower level
> 		riders in CT can get excellent instruction)
> 	3. Three reasons I can see for dressage/CT instructors
> 	   to take on novices:
> 		a) Financial
> 		b) "Newness" of sports relative to Europe.
> 		c) Attention to basics in dressage/CT.
> 	4. True beginners really can't expect to get olympic-level
> 		instructors, despite all my arguments.

Credibility first:

I am an ex-horse owner, breeder, 4-H advisor, h/j rider,
and h/j instructor at Red Fox Stables in Cincinnati.  Notice I
said ex.  All I have left are my saddles, and they are in
storage.

I have not actually taken dressage lessons, but I had lots of
friends who were really into it.  Some of my 4-hers were into it.
I wrote some articles for the Chronicle.  Sold some horses as
dressage material.  Was a fence judge a couple of times at
events.  Used elementary dressage movements to help my h/j riders
AND especially the horses.  Would love to have the time to
continue, but I am now a single parent raising two kids (both of whom
ussed to ride h/j and miss the horses a lot).

A few years ago some dressage "experts" landed in the Cincinnati
area and offered help to the local 4-H agents to any kids who
were interested in learning dressage.  Since I had several horses
who weren't doing anything at the time, and could use the
exercise, I offered a horse for their use.  The first thing they
did was fix the bridle so the bit was so loose it was banging
against the horse's teeth.  Then they rode hime for hours on
gravel.  I had to have his wolf teeth removed and he stood on
peanut shells for six months to let the bruises grow out.  I have
faulted myself for not checking credentials better, but how can
one check in a sport so new?

My feeling about dressage is that is is the best exercise going
for the horse--and it really makes an athlete out of him.  It
also give him a longer, more comfortable working life since 
his body is developed like an athlete's.  But I HATE the snobby
"You don't know anything unless you have been to so-and-so's
clinic" attitude.  And I HATE the snobby instructor who lowers
him/herself to "do" a clinic or instruct a novice or ride a less
than classic horse when you know the only reason the snobby
instructor is doing it is for money.  If I can convince you long
enough that you don't know anything, then I can keep you paying
me to teach you something!!  I went to one clinic where the
instructor spent a long time explaining the correct pronunciation
of the word "dressage."   And got paid for doing it!

Well, you're right--this is too long.  Summary--dressage is valuable 
to any horse and rider in any degree.  If you don't have the
time, money, or inclination to work up the levels, first level is
real good learning for you and any horse (I agree with
you--English or Western, makes no difference).  And there
shouldn't be anyone looking down any noses while accepting money
to teach first level to a novice with a 14.2 shaggy.  And if the
instructor you are using IS acting like the whole procedure is
beneath him/her, find another instructor.  Now, just how you are
going to decide if the instructor is any good, well, good luck.
The best riders don't always make the best instructors, etc.
What I really want to say is take the snobbery out of dressage
and let it become popular as good basic training that is valuable
to any level.  There I said it.  And top riders and instructors
teach less then top students for one reason--money.

                          

I think I miss my horses.