Comments on: Top 3 Reasons Why America’s Producing so Many Mediocre Instructors

By: TheRidingInstructor

TheRidingInstructor — Sun, 12 Nov 2023 00:16:59 +0000

Hi Loretta,
Even though this is an old article, it’s is still true today. Good instructors who teach beginners are the backbone of the horse industry. If it weren’t for those teaching beginners there would be no upper level riders. The industry has it so backward. Even in the educational system, teachers in the lower grades are required to have a deeper education than those at the higher grades. I couldn’t agree with you more. I appreciate you reading this article and taking the time to comment. Barbara

By: Loretta Arey

Loretta Arey — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 14:39:36 +0000

Great article! I have this conversation all the time.
Plus, teaching beginners is not glorious, and we get no recognition other than personal fulfillment. I think that is why beginners often end up with the young ‘instructors’. When compared to any other sport, say football or
Volleyball, is the teacher or coach a 16 yr old also in the program? No. So why do folks think it is ok for that to happen in our sport, when we are also dealing with a 1,000lb animal?

By: Roger H

Roger H — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 07:04:02 +0000

In reply to TheRidingInstructor. Hear, hear !!

By: TheRidingInstructor

TheRidingInstructor — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 03:29:21 +0000

In reply to Joe, from the old school..

Dear Joe,
Thank you for your comment. If only we had some of the Colonels and Captains today. Riding has gone the way much of life has gone. People want more faster and want to rich high levels of competition quickly. They miss the pleasure and sense of accomplishment that comes from the “journey”. The journey really is richer than the prize. I have faith, though, that there are still some who try for excellence in horsemanship and who ride and teach because it is their love. They will help some riders develop the correct foundation. Thanks for reading and for commenting. The best to you. Barbara

By: Joe, from the old school.

Joe, from the old school. — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 01:38:37 +0000

Thank you for this wonderful article. I am lucky to have started by an instructor of the old school and had a wonderful foundation laid down. And when we did our dressage shows, our judges had titles of “Colonel” and “Captain,” men who were from the cavalry and worked hard to teach riding, not how to win the competition. They demanded excellence. My bookshelf has those classics you refer to and they have been read more than once, underlined, dog eared, etc.

Today, that is all gone. Personally, I have no interest in competing, or even going to a show to watch. It is too disheartening. I no longer care if the USA even competes in the Olympics or other international level as it now is too phony and all are in for the $$$. Some may say it is harsh, but it is very true. And it will not change. We have lost our foundation.

By: TheRidingInstructor

TheRidingInstructor — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 15:56:55 +0000

In reply to MARY. Try, the is probably a lot of truth in your comment. Thank you . Barbara

By: TheRidingInstructor

TheRidingInstructor — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 15:55:54 +0000

In reply to Karen.

Hi Karen,
What you say is very true. Insurance/litigation makes it hard. Most states in the U.S. have legislation stating that being around and riding horses is a risky activity and that professionals are not responsible, but the laws don’t cover negligence. Insurance companies prey on that fear but with a litigious as society has become it’s a legitimate fear. Thanks for your comment. Barbara

By: Karen

Karen — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 15:31:04 +0000

One HUGE problem that isn’t mentioned, and it’s a world wide problem. Many kids, and adults for that matter, aren’t taught how to handle/care for their horses, thanks to insurance rules and negligence lawsuits. Instructors are afraid of losing everything, for obvious reasons, and won’t allow their students anywhere near the horses if they aren’t in a lesson.

By: MARY

MARY — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 00:47:10 +0000

I also feel that the influx of trained warm bloods caused people to think that because they bought talented jumpers that swapped leads, jumped color, and had already shown, they were trainers.
Especially when the horses could come here and start over in pregreen!
Caused “trainers” to miss a few steps.

By: TheRidingInstructor

TheRidingInstructor — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 02:44:32 +0000

In reply to Stephanie W.. Stephanie - Thank you for commenting on this blog post and for posting a link to your article. You make some very good points in your article. I hope other readers will take a look at it. Barbara