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No Good Lesson Barns

2K views 10 replies 5 participants last post by  NBEventer 
#1 ·
So, there's no good hunter/jumper barns in my area. There's only one that I currently ride with, and I don't think she's a good instructor - in the past, she has expected my horse to do things that he cannot do yet, believes getting on the bit uses the whole see-saw thing, which causes my horse to just drop his head like a WP horse and get more on his forehand than he already is. Last year, I had a different horse that she continued to say that he was just being naughty when he ducked out of jumps, not in pain...I had a feeling something was off though, and it turns out my horse had navicular. I know I'm giving vague examples, but I just don't think she knows what she is doing, and my farrier's opinion (which I value more) is that she doesn't know what she's doing either.

The nearest jumping barn is an hour and a half away. There's hunter/jumper and eventing in that area. My horse is probably more suited to hunters, but I would like to give eventing a go, just because I've always wanted to do it, and at the lower levels, I think Rusty would be fine. He's got such a great attitude with jumping. He'll go over anything you point him at. We've never officially schooled xc, but I've built log, tire, and hay bale jumps at home and he is always brave and willing.

Rusty could use some dressage work no matter what way we go, as he does have a tendency to lean on the reins and run through the bit (a problem he's had for years, which gets better as he gets in shape - he usually is like this just on the flat and not over fences). Confirmation-wise, well, here's a picture:

Horse Mammal Vertebrate Mare Mane


I know he is long in a lot of places, ties in a little low at the neck, and has a steeper shoulder.

And then here's his picture from a show a couple of years ago. He had to take a year off due to injury and then I lacked the funds this summer. So, sorry for something not so current.

Horse Bridle Halter Equitation Equestrianism


So, my question is, how should I proceed? I consider myself an advanced beginner, so I want some training. If I want to event, should I give it a go, especially working on dressage? Do I drive 1 1/2 hours for lessons? How often? Is it worth it? Should I drive that much for H/J lessons as well? I'm not made of money or anything, but I really want to get involved in progressing again. Rusty is a great trail horse, and I would never give up our trail rides, but he seems happiest when he's jumping and has a challenge. I wish you could see how excited he gets (in his ears and eyes) about bounce combos!
 
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#3 ·
It's absolutely worth the drive if you learn. It doesn't sound like the current situation is going to do anything for you or the horse so IMO that's just money wasted. Having the opportunity to take a lesson on a great lesson horse is also a bonus if it's too troublesome to trailer your horse over there. I would also look around for another situation closer. Perhaps this instructor knows someone or has a student closer to you that you could work with on a more regular basis and just travel to her for the finer points.

As far as suitability of your horse, who cares what others think? If it's what you want to do, do it. You know what his limitations are. You will still have fun and learn a ton getting to that point.
 
#4 ·
One of my favorite coaches is almost 2 hours away and next summer I plan on trailering to her place every chance I can, she has the best cross country course and she is a fabulous coach. Its $160 in gas alone to trailer there plus the lesson fee, but worth every bit of it.
 
#5 ·
Have you checked out Stillwater Stables in Bondurant? I know it's probably a drive, but it's worth a shot. I heard a girl with the last name of Lehman was offering eventing lessons. I think she's based near Madrid now. Not sure what she's like as an instructor. My old instructor said she had lots of money, so she'd had the advantage of being able to show and get good instruction.

Unfortunately it seems like all the good lesson barns are down in Des Moines. I'd thought of traveling to Iowa City once a month to take a dressage lesson at Winds Reach farm. Bill used to be an eventer, so he might still give lessons. He looks like a fabulous rider.
 
#7 ·
Sometimes you have to travel to get the level of instruction you want, and I concur with you, it's a pain in the rear. I only have a half hour drive to my instructor's, some of her other students do two hour haul ins, so I consider myself lucky.
 
#9 ·
Thanks NB! Actually, I'm about ready to post a critique of our ride today with some video and pictures, so if you want to head on over, I'm all for that.

I think I'm going to break down and go get instruction from afar. After today's ride and critiquing myself and Rusty, I know I need help with my position both on the flat and over fences. I also have little knowledge of dressage, but I know Rusty so badly needs that work - after watching the videos, I see how he just slops everything on his front end, the ding-dong. :) Gotta love him though!
 
#11 ·
I will happily wander over to take a peek at your videos and pictures!

I will haul twice a month for lessons. I am also lucky enough to have a fabulous wonderful amazing event coach who is willing to drive the hour to my place to teach me lessons. I haven't started with her yet, but we are going to start next summer. I wish I had an indoor arena or I would get her out here in the winter.

I live in the boonies and no matter which way I go I am looking at an hour drive to have someone come to me or for me to go to them. The facility that I love for cross country is 2 hours away and the other two coaches I love are an hour to an hour and a half away. I have 3 coaches that I like to ride with.
 
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