My horsemanship class...

So there are a few issues I've been having with my horsemanship class (for school) and I'm not really sure what to do about it.

The class is definitely geared towards beginning beginners so I can understand why some of this stuff is happening but I kinda feel that if I'm beyond that level I should be allowed to do it my way and not stick with the classes level if I'm beyond it, yknow?

For instance: when they have us hold the reins (neckreining) one of the helpers is always hollering at people to keep their thumbs in the air like they are hitchhiking because people are always ending up with their hands sideways and having the thumb up helps them remember. Well I don't have that problem yet this girl is always yelling at me to stick my thumb up in the air even though my fist is perfectly placed and my thumb is on top, just not "in the air". The real teacher has seen me ride, has complimented me quite a lot and has never said anything to me about my lack of hitchhiker thumb. Should I ignore this girl since the real teacher has no problem with my thumb or should I respect her and do it anyway? I don't want to create a bad habit but at the same time I don't want her to encourage the teacher to give me a bad grade because a bad attitude i don't have or something...
The other thing is that when we're turning this girl, who is not the real teacher, wants me to bump with my outside leg through the turn instead of using continual pressure like I always do. I was taught to use continual pressure originally and that is what works the best for me but again, I don't want this girl docking me points because of it.

The other thing about this girl is that she's one of those bossy types (I totally am this way too, to a lesser degree, when I'm teaching so I get it) who think that everyone should be cookiecutter in their learning and that she knows more than everyone (I like to think that I'm more open to other options but I've never taught myself, haha) even if she doesn't. So I really don't want her hurting my grade because she thinks I'm a smarty pants (which I've totally tried not to be, I mean I talk about Lacey and my expierences but I don't question this girls authority, I just don't do some of the stuff she tells me to..). And I don't want to be ignoring her orders just because I'm really rubbed the wrong way by her, I mean I'm trying super hard not to let her get to me but I want to make sure that I'm right or atleast marginally right in not following her every command...

Ideas?

Sorry this is so long! My goodness. Haha

maybe talk to the real teacher? and just tell her that, and see what she says...she may say that that girl is right, but she could also agree with you and talk to that girl. :)

Agreed, I think talking to the teacher would help. I personally wouldn't want someone barking at me to stick my thumb in the air either as that, too, can become a bad habit. So long as you are holding the reins correctly, then there shouldn't be a problem. Also, I don't know anyone who trains their horses using a bumping with the outside leg during a turn unless they are asking for real speed (i.e. barrels or cutting). My horses would jump out from under her if she started bumping them into a turn. I would visit with teach and just let her know what is going on.

I know right? I want to have her ride Lacey and tell me that bumping her through the turns makes it SOOO much better. haha I think Lacey might kill her. I can see it now, Lacey going all "oh no you didn't! *include finger shaking*" on her. Hahahahaha smrobs, you have made my day.

Good idea, I will definitely talk to the teacher on Tuesday before/after class. He knows I'm a good rider, he's said so himself (and he's been an AQHA Worlds judge) so I hope he'll be open to what I'm saying. I'll be sure to leave out how much of an idiot I think this girl is though. =P

That may be for the best (at least for now LOL).

Oh, sorry, I didn't see that teach is a guy. *blushes* My bad.

I think if this is an actual class, where your teacher has the authority, you shouldn't have to listen to another student. Talk to your teacher, and tell them what's going on, and how you feel about it; they may talk to the other student, and tell them to cool it, or put them in a different class that may suit her level better.

Yeah, see she's not a student in the class. She's just a helper person who's there, probably to help the real teacher keep an eye on the eight real beginners in the class. That's what makes it the dilemma, since she's really probably above me in the hierarchy of class yet she's below me in skillz, imo.