Goal getter: part one

It can sometimes feel that by not competing you’re less of a rider. But what if you don’t want to compete? Or perhaps time and money are tight, or you don’t have access to transport. Let’s face it, aside from the fun parts of competing, it’s a costly exercise in terms of time, money and effort. So, let’s think about things from a different angle.

It might be, for instance, that you want to be able to ride your horse at Elementary level dressage but have no desire to do so in front of a judge. That’s fine. Or, perhaps you just want to become more balanced over a fence, but not in the showjumping arena. That’s equally fine.

A focus on training can give you the same feeling of satisfaction and fulfilment as competing, and what’s more, whatever your aim or motivation, there are plenty of people out there who will help you and your horse progress together as a partnership.

The right fit

Whether you want to practise riding around a course or refine your lateral work, having an instructor who suits you and your horse is an absolute must.

A good coach can be the difference between feeling utterly elated after your session or, at the other end of the spectrum, demotivated and uncertain. While the latter is a sad state of affairs, questioning whether you gained enough from a lesson to justify the cost is something many of us have experienced.

People – and their horses – learn in different ways. Some riders like to work through the technical points in training, while others simply want someone to give them confidence and, ultimately, make it fun. As for your horse, if he fades away when you put him under too much pressure, it might be that you need a clever instructor who will help you to address his issues from a different angle, rather than head on.

Meeting your match

Some people start working with a coach when that person comes to teach at their yard, or they might attend a clinic and get on particularly well with the instructor. Word of mouth is a valuable tool in these situations, so ask around and think about what you’re looking for in a trainer. You’ll also find a list of accredited instructors and trainers on the BHS website, as well as via British Equestrian, British Eventing, British Showjumping and British Dressage.

TOP TIP

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For more goal setting tips from Fizz, check out March Horse&Rider – get your copy today!