Articles
How to find the Perfect Riding Instructor
By Eliza Allan
Aug 19, 2004

Ever heard the saying, ‘There are no bad horses, only bad riders’? It holds a lot of truth. Unfortunately however, this is not the case when it comes to working with riding instructors. Some say that finding the right instructor is just as important as finding the right mount, if not more. Your instructor has the ability to literally ‘make or break’ both you and your horse. Sadly, cases of students giving up riding due to a bad instructor are all too common. On the other hand, the right trainer can work wonders for you. But just how and what should you be looking for in a good riding instructor?

Before you start pounding the pavements in search of the perfect trainer, sit down and have a good think about both your long and short term goals. Are you planning on becoming the next Isabella Worth? Then you’ll need a trainer who knows dressage like the back of his hand. There are scores of different riding disciplines, and it is important to find an instructor that understands and specializes in your chosen equestrian field. If you plan to compete in shows, you should choose an instructor that participates not only in local events, but that has had regular wins throughout the region. He knows what it takes in order to compete successfully and will have the ability to help you prepare physically and mentally for the challenge of high level competition.

An important fact that many people tend to overlook is that A GOOD RIDER IS NOT NECESSARILY A GOOD TEACHER. If someone is a native English speaker, this doesn’t mean that he or she has the skills to actually teach the language. The same goes for horse riding. There are many Olympians who ride as though they were born on horseback. Yet when on solid ground, knowing what to look for in a student and explaining exactly ‘what needs to be done’ is not quite so simple. Like an admired schoolteacher, the ideal riding instructor needs to have natural ‘people skills’, as well as the ability to communicate ideas clearly.

Unlike Europe, most countries in South East Asia do not require riding instructors to be certified. Unfortunately, this means that almost anyone with minimal experience or teaching skills can easily pose as a “Professional Instructor”. So don’t just call up various stables and compare lesson prices- visit them. Investigate. Are the horses well-trained and healthy? Is the issue of safety taken seriously? Are the people friendly? If you are ignored by the staff when visiting your potential riding school, chances are they’re not going to care much about your future riding progress, either. Get the information that you need straight from the horse’s mouth by talking with the instructors’ students. Even better, get permission to watch a lesson with someone at your own riding level. Watching an instructor teach others will give you some useful insight into his own personal training technique.

Ask the instructor about his credentials and past history. Do they go beyond your own individual level and goals? Regardless of how much money you might save on lessons, there is no use training with a C grade eventing champion when your heart is set on the next Olympics.

Keep in mind that not all instructors can work with all students. Personality clashes, communication problems and differing opinions can cause a student-instructor relationship to crumble faster than a shortbread cookie. Beginners whose self-confidence is still a little shaky in the saddle may prefer to opt for a ‘softer’ instructor. There are also plenty of ‘self torturous’ equestrian athletes out there who are looking for an instructor that can push them to the limit, criticizing every minuscule mistake made. Some students prefer their instructor to focus on the ‘positives’, rather than the ‘negatives’, and others vice versa. Therefore, what one man sees as a first-rate trainer could easily be the next man’s worst nightmare.

Once you think you may have met your match in terms of instructors, it’s time to book your first lesson! But before you hop in the saddle, talk with the trainer about your future goals. Every rider has different expectations, and instructors are not mind readers. Therefore, it is your own responsibility to explain to him/her just what exactly you are hoping to get out of your future lessons.

A first lesson with a new instructor is a lot like trial leasing a new horse. It is an opportunity to see if the two of you are compatible and whether or not he will be able to give you what you need in order to succeed in the future. Does the instructor just shout directions at you, or does he explain why and how to do them? When your horse is doing something ‘wrong’, your instructor should be able to tell you why. Does he force you to do things that you know you’re not ready for? A good instructor should be firm but sensitive and should understand just how far he can push you before you burst into tears of frustration. The last thing you need is a condescending and impatient instructor who screams at his students. Remember that horror fourth grade Math teacher? It’s pretty hard to learn when someone’s making you feel lousy, isn’t it? And an instructor’s duties don’t just end in the riding ring, either. When your lesson is over, a good instructor will take the time to talk with you about what was or wasn’t achieved during the class, and should answer any questions you have regarding the lesson.



When you’ve been with the same instructor for years and feel as though you are no longer progressing, have a chat with him. Perhaps he may have misunderstood or underestimated your personal goals. If this is the situation, fixing the problem is just a matter of rearranging or building up your riding program. He may even refer you to another instructor who is more capable of dealing with your current needs. But if he becomes defensive and is quick to blame problems on you or your horse, it’s time to say goodbye.

Remember that it takes two to tango. If your riding progress has come to a standstill, or god forbid, has deteriorated, it’s probably best to ask yourself a few honest questions. Have you been listening to and following the lessons to the best of your ability? Because if a student doesn’t want to put in the effort to actually learn, then no teacher is going to be able to make him or her do so. Your riding instructor cannot make miracles happen. So when your lessons aren’t going the way you had planned, question yourself before laying all the blame on your instructor.

Luckily for us, there are plenty of quality instructors throughout the South East Asia region. Consequently, you may rest assured that with time and effort, you are bound to find the right one for you. Champion riders are not made overnight, but if student and instructor work together as a dedicated team, success is foreseeable.

Good luck and happy riding!

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