Bad jumping lesson today, I think I suck...

I felt really horrible after my lesson today. I was nervous last night about jumping but then in the morning my nerves calmed down and I was excited about having the group lesson.
I've had plenty of lessons before but since summer my position has gotten weak and I want to lean forward to much. And im also gripping with the knees so then my heels don't go down all the way. And Gypsy doesnt make it any better because she over jumps and im not prepared for such a big jump.
All my trainer wants us to do is jumping position, grab on the mane and hold on. And we have trot polls and a small little jump so we can take turns going. But that's it. That's all we've done... I want to jump so bad but im just not getting any where. And it sucks because I see the other girls who doesnt have any problems. But I want more excersizes to do so I can get a better position and stuff.

Firstly - you don't suck :) no one sucks......it is just about where your level of education is.

Trust me, I have allot of my own issues too - but the key factor is, what are you willing to admit to work on and correct and better :)

It is the fact that you want to be a better rider, for your horse - and that is the most important part :)

Be proud of yourself.

So what can you do? Sit down and have a 1 on 1 discussion with your coach. Discuss your issues with your parents and have them come with you.

Remember - YOU are paying your coach to teach YOU. You are paying them for a service....your education in the saddle.

They OWE you the best that they can give, and YOU must demand it.

Your coach cannot fix what they don't know is wrong - so bring it up to him/her. Notify them how you feel about your lack of education and where you want to go.

A good coach - will work on that with you.

Remember, you are paying them - they are there for you. Nothing more, nothing less.

If you aren't getting what you need - you need to fix it :)

All the best :)

I have told my coach that I want to do jumping this summer and go to shows and stuff. Maybe I just feel left out in some way or maybe I just need more acknowledgement from her. Like today she said walk your horses and cool them out well I start to cool Gypsy off and the other girls are talking to the coach and she's saying how good they did, but I didnt get my "Atta boy!".
But you do bring up a good point on how Im paying her for a service...

At least she tells me what im doing wrong, but I just can't figure out how to fix it. You know?

A good coach will walk through with you, step by step.

Not only tell you what to do, but how to do it. Slowly, surely, educatedly.

If you are doing something wrong, your coach needs to point it out - but show you how to correct it accordingly.

Maybe discuss with your coach to do a private lesson one a month, or even twice?

This your YOUR money. YOUR time. YOUR effort. YOUR horse. THEY are there for YOU.

Don't accept anything less. Don't ever be scared to approach, to ask questions, to demand.

You wouldn't expect any less for other people you would hire to do a job - so why would you expect less from a riding coach?

You definitely want to learn, you definitely want to grow as a rider. You definitely want to better yourself....and you cannot do that, if your coach isn't willing to aid you.

You are only as good as your coach. Your horse is only as good as you.



I would definitely have a 1 on 1 with your coach. I would definitely sit down and express this with your parents.

If you don't tell those around you how you feel - they cannot fix the problem.

i 100% agree!..

Good news for that! I found out that there are riding programs in Redmond a town 3 hrs away but you can get certified and stuff like that I have to go check out the web sites and learn more and see how much the program is and if its worth trying to find another rental house any thing to jump start my career with horses!

Everyone has bad days :) I had a horrible riding lesson yesterday. The horse I had to ride was SOOO uncomfortable and had a horrible jump and 2 people fell, one of them fell twice.
The way I learned was by watching riding vids on youtube :)

I watch vids like that on youtube too! I can't help it... Im lucky I havent fallen off at a jump yet at least im doing something right :)

I haven't fallen while jumping either..thank god! haha

Aww, don't feel too bad. When I have bad days, it stinks. :( But tomorrow's a new day- there are always going to be good times & bad times. Don't be too hard on yourself! I'm sure you're a great rider. & see? That's good you haven't fallen, hehe I've fallen many times...& on a tall horse it's no fun. But yeah, everyone does have bad days. It'll only get better.