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.