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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Top 10 Tips for Students

11/23/2011

 
Wednesday is lesson night, again.  I need to count how many time I've started a post with that sentence.  The thing is that Wednesdays are now my favorite day of the week.  I know that's odd.  Who likes Wednesday? It's Hump day, it's mid-week, and there are still two to go.  But knowing that I get a lesson after work on Wednesday rejuvenates me and gives me that little high that gets me through the last two days of the work week.

I am a teacher.  That's what I get paid to do.  And yet, I find that I enjoy the opportunity to be a student.  My brain literally crackles during a lesson.  And since I am usually the one giving directions, grading work, and checking on progress, I know exactly what it takes to be a good student.  To get the most out of your lesson, follow some of these tips from a teacher.
  1. Be on time.  For my trainer that means you get more lesson time.  She has other students before me and other students after.  It's not fair to the other students if I ooze into their lesson time.
  2. On the other hand, don't be too early.  The rider(s) before me are concentrating and need the trainer's full attention.  My bored pony, who might be just standing at the fence, is a distraction for those who are working.  Additionally, the trainer is busy and has a schedule.  She might have chores planned for those 15 minutes before you arrive.
  3. This goes without saying, no cell phones.  
  4. Dress comfortably, but neatly.  Clothing that is bulky or flapping only distracts the eye and makes it more difficult for the trainer to evaluate your posture or arm position.  There are dress codes for a reason.
  5. Bring your materials.  This might mean horse boots, a well-adjusted bridle, a saddle pad that doesn't slip, or a whip.  It shouldn't be your trainer's job to root around in her tack room for what you forgot.
  6. Do your homework.  The trainer doesn't want to reteach the same lesson over and over.  You might continue to work on the same concept week after week, but you should have practiced since the last lesson.  You might still have problems, but with practice you should be able to explain to your trainer what problem that you're having so that she can help you get closer to mastery.
  7. Follow the trainer's directions.  She probably has a plan and is laying a foundation for the next concept.  If you don't understand the purpose of the task, ask for clarification.  If you don't understand the objective, it is difficult to master it.
  8. Even when the task is hard, it is important to try.  Don't complain, don't whine, don't fake it.  Genuinely try to do what she is asking of you.  If you simply don't get what the trainer is saying, ask, but ask a specific question.  I don't get it doesn't help the teacher help you.  Instead, ask in a way that shows what part you do understand.  This will give her a place from which to start the explanation. 
  9. Be respectful.  This means coming with a good attitude and ready to get to work.  If your lessons are genuinely about learning, leave the baggage at the door.  Drop all of your problems at the gate, and be in the moment.  You will feel refreshed when you are finished and those problems may seem smaller on the way out.
  10. End the lesson with a plan.  Do you know what you accomplished?  Do you know what you need to work on before you return?  Have an idea of where you need to go before you come back.  If you leave feeling confused, you'll just practice the same old mistakes when you're on your own.  And again, if you didn't understand, ask.  Ask what you need to work on.  Listen for a specific task.  Maybe it's simply opening your pelvis, bending your elbows, or slowing his pace.  When you leave, you need to know what your homework is.

Everyone of these ten tips are things that I encourage my students to do every day.  My honor roll students do them without thought.  Learning is only partly about the teacher.  Learning really comes from the student in spite of the teacher.  Good learners will learn no matter what.  Good learners matched with good teachers can accomplish marvelous things.
Kelly link
11/22/2011 11:57:26 pm

So simple, but so effective! Love the post and the tips. My lessons are on Friday evenings and it does give me something to look forward to, plus ends my hectic week on a good note.

Hay-Net link
11/23/2011 05:47:17 am

Great equestrian blog! Why not come along and post this blog at hay-net.co.uk? This is the UK's No1 Equine Social Blogging Network so come and meet other equestrian bloggers from all over the world!

Val link
11/23/2011 12:18:56 pm

Great tips!

It is a good point to explain that it would be unfair to distract from a lesson before your scheduled time. I have experienced this and was not happy when my lesson was interrupted, because the next rider wanted to enter the ring to lunge. Definitely, not cool!

Happy Turkey Day!

Karen Sweaney link
11/23/2011 09:46:04 pm

Kelly - I love my lesson days, but it does make Thursday kind of a long day. I couldn't do Fridays, but that would make a great Happy Hour!

Val - my trainer and I talked about distractions last night. Her arena is open to all of her students, but she expects everyone to be courteous. I have had a few distractions lately that I didn't know to cope with. After I explained them to JL, she told me what do the next time it happens (Yell out, HEADS UP). She said she was so focused on my lesson that she hadn't notice the distractions about which I was speaking. That's an "in the moment" teacher!

martina peterson
11/24/2011 01:01:16 am

Karen these are good tips for students to live by but more importantly they are life principles for each of us. Growing up I tried to instill in you these very things you speak about. I do not take the credit though because you were exposed to many people who influenced you. Great job! I hope your other students will take your concepts to heart. Not will it only help them professionally but it can help them in time of stress and problems that tend to sneak upon all of us. Take care. Love mom

Karen
11/24/2011 03:31:26 am

Thanks, Mom! You must have had at least some influence because I clearly got the message. I think you're allowed to claim a good deal of the credit. :0)


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
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    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
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    Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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Site Designed and Managed by: Karen Sweaney

Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home