Comments on: Riding Instructor or Student- Who Are You?

By: TheRidingInstructor

TheRidingInstructor — Thu, 17 May 2018 14:59:07 +0000

In reply to Jojo. JoJo, this is very sad because it sounds as if the man has serious ego issues and can only succeed by intimidating his students. Please keep looking for someone else. Don't put up with abuse, whether it's verbal, emotional or physical. Barbara

By: Jojo

Jojo — Thu, 17 May 2018 14:25:40 +0000

In reply to TheRidingInstructor. It’s not a spoof, I wish it was. I understood he was trained the same way and I also know that many students put up with his behaviour because he produces very good riders in shows. He didn’t hurt me, but I also think it is abuse. It’s a pitty I like riding and there is no one close in my area but him.

By: TheRidingInstructor

TheRidingInstructor — Thu, 17 May 2018 14:20:55 +0000

In reply to Jojo. JoJo if this was a lesson I took I'd be joining you for tequila shots. Since I can't tell whether or not you are wringing a spoof, I'll say this. If your post is a spoof-good writing. If your post is not a spoof I'd say as a riding instructor and as a woman- never go back. It's abuse. Barbara Ellin Fox

By: Jojo

Jojo — Thu, 17 May 2018 11:19:10 +0000

So I just came back from a one on one lesson, and my instructor means bussines. He had me run 2 laps around the outside arena and do 10 pushups and then repeat, it’s for getting in shape he said. So anyway, I got to ride after that and I was on a 20 m circle in which he put a small X and I was cantering and he instructed me to drop the stirrups when he reached the number four (he was counting strides I suppose) and then take them back after the jump. I was kind of afraid of dropping them and didn’t do it. I did apologize and wanted to try again but he said first he has to make sure that I will listen and do as he says. So he got me off the horse and told me to do another 10 pushups (I found it rather funny but didn’t say a word). While I was doing the exercise he put his foot on my back, pushed me to the ground and told me to get up, of course I couldn’t, he told me to try harder or I’ll get sand in my mouth. He finally took pitty on me and said the way I felt was the same way he felt when I didn’t listen, that he wants to teach me but he can’t do it if I don’t let him and that from now one the first rule will be obedience, that I am not allowed to question his methods because he will never put me in a dangerous situation, the second rule will be discipline and that next time I choose not to do as he says it will be a lot more humiliating then pushing me in the sand, and the third rule was that I have to ask for permission to speak when I am in the saddle and he may or may not grant me that permission. That being said the lesson continued ok from that moment on, I did everything he said, of course there wasn’t any “that was good” or even a smile but the big surprise was that at the end he said “you’re showing this summer and you have to come every day free of charge”. Wait what? I said yes, thank you (you can’t say no to this guy) but right now I need some tequila shots or a bottle of wine to come to terms with what just happened.

By: TheRidingInstructor

TheRidingInstructor — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 21:37:09 +0000

In reply to Roger Hanington.

Dear Roger,
You are very kind. I value your friendship.
Barbara

By: Roger Hanington

Roger Hanington — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 13:00:54 +0000

In reply to TheRidingInstructor. Barbara, Barbara. How could I imply that? I meant that there was nothing for you to learn from me. The few things where we did not agree were probably more a matter of circumstance rather than principle. You have my great respect.

By: TheRidingInstructor

TheRidingInstructor — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 18:55:23 +0000

In reply to Roger Hanington.

Dear Roger,
Oh dear. I hope you’re not implying I’m unteachable. I thought our discussions were thought provoking and mentally stimulating, even if there were a few things we didn’t agree on.

By: Roger Hanington

Roger Hanington — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 16:36:54 +0000

In reply to TheRidingInstructor. You have learned little from me Barbara.

By: TheRidingInstructor

TheRidingInstructor — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 14:15:04 +0000

In reply to Roger Hanington. Dear Roger, You are way too kind in your assessment of me. Thank you. I am grateful to have learned much from you. Barbara

By: Roger Hanington

Roger Hanington — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 17:15:07 +0000

Barbara, Your calm considered wisdom, your compassion and understanding and the constant validity of you advices impress me beyond measure. As a human being dealing with human beings I could learn much from you. My Regards, Roger