first dressage clinic; any need-to-knows!?

[kashmere]

In about a month, the mare and i will be packing up and heading to our first-ever dressage clinic; i'm super, super excited about it. this clinician used to ride with my coach in the '80s, and i've heard nothing but good things about her: works you hard, but is fair and kind, and you always learn something, so it should be a very fun two days. Is there any piece of advice, as a seasoned clinic-ee, that you would care to pass along to a first timer? :)

[iownapaint]

These are basic, but they're what I thought of immediately:
1. Be on time. Be warmed-up and ready to go when your ride time comes.
2. Clean tack, clean horse. Polo wraps and nice saddle pad. I prefer them to match, but that's just me.
3. Relax. You're there to learn, not show off. Don't get yourself so tense that you don't pay attention and get as much as you can out of it.
3. Watch as much as you possibly can of the other rides.

I love to clinic, I do it on as regular a basis as possible (in the summer usually once per month) and I think it's a great way to get a boost on regular training or get some super instruction from experts to guide you if you're on your own.

Above all, HAVE FUN! ;)

[SillyHorse]

Be sure you and your horse are fit and ready to work. And remember -- it boils down to a very expensive riding lesson, so get the most out of it you can. If it's permitted, arrange to have someone tape it for you. And have fun!

[dressager]

White polos and pad, one of my pet peeves... or super clean, nice white boots. The clinician I clinic with monthly prefers you to introduce yourself, tell him about your horse, training, etc at the beginning of the first ever ride. Each time we ride with him, those of us with multiple horses, are asked to say which horse it is, etc.

Depending on what you normally wear to ride, IMHO, clean, nice breeches with a tucked in nice (polo or other collared) shirt, hair tied back, belt, polished boots.

Clinics are a lot of fun- get a new, fresh perspective, you get to meet new people, get your horse out...

Let us know how it goes!

[FancyFree]

Don't talk excessively. I had one clinic where I overheard the clinician saying to someone how chatty the previous lady was. He was kind of irritated.

Also, as has been posted, watch other rides. You'll get so much out of it.

[petitefilly]

Be humble. Be honest, and listen. There is nothing worse than a rider showing who thinks they know more than the person teaching. :( <Yeah, I have seen this more than once.>

[casgar farm]

Don't forget to thank the host. I like to encourage them to keep having the clinics!
Oh, and I actually got fussed at once for warming up too much before my ride :)
And I do have all of mine taped. If I'm going to pay that much money I want to make sure I get a chance to review it and see what the clinician was referring to.

[kashmere]

thanks everyone, i know mostly these things are just common sense, but it's good to get a reminder and hear what other people think is important.

dressager; why are white polos and pads your pet peeve? or did i read that incorrectly?

[FancyFree]

thanks everyone, i know mostly these things are just common sense, but it's good to get a reminder and hear what other people think is important.

dressager; why are white polos and pads your pet peeve? or did i read that incorrectly?

I don't understand that either.


White polos and pad, one of my pet peeves... or super clean, nice white boots.

What? Super clean, nice, white boots are on the top of my OCD list!

[Elegante E]

Bring bananas and something healthy to snack on as well as lots of bottled water and/or gatorade . You'll need the energy pick me up (esp the potassium) after your ride if you really work hard. And lots of treats for your horse too. You also may think to bring some advil and take it before your ride the second day - if you work hard and are sore, this makes the second session much easier.

I also want to emphasize having it video taped (have the camera close to the clinician for the audio) if you can, and if you have someone who can take notes have them do so. Also bring yourself a notebook and write down what you remember right after your ride - it's amazing how quickly one can forget things and the video doesn't always pick up the clinician speaking very well.

Oh and if you need to take a breather, ask for it, catch your breath and get on with the lesson.

I also bring special treats for my horse and the best hay I have. Don't forget to spend time with your horse, especially if he's nervous or inside when used to being out. This may be obvious but if you are trying to watch the clinic as well as ride, you may forget or be too exhausted. Having a friend along to help you out and watch over your horse can make for a much better clinic for you and your horse.

Hope you have fun!

[kashmere]

Elegant E; excellent points, i'm glad you thought of the bananas, because i didn't think of them at all, and they're really great for after exercise.

question; i have asthma, and it can get triggered by certain things while riding, during lessons i give my inhaler to my coach (it's too awkward to have it on me and hurts like an SOB if i fall and it digs into me) and we have a little signal so she knows when i need to take a breather, or need the inhaler. is that an appropriate thing to bring up to a clinician?

[FancyFree]

Elegant E; excellent points, i'm glad you thought of the bananas, because i didn't think of them at all, and they're really great for after exercise.

question; i have asthma, and it can get triggered by certain things while riding, during lessons i give my inhaler to my coach (it's too awkward to gave it on me and hurts like an SOB if i fall and it digs into me) and we have a little signal so she knows when i need to take a breather, or need the inhaler. is that an appropriate thing to bring up to a clinician?

Definitely tell the clinician. I once almost fainted during a clinic. I faint if I get overheated without water. My trainer who knows this and was watching chastised me for not taking a break for water.

Definitely bring it up.

[crewgirl34]

Elegant E; excellent points, i'm glad you thought of the bananas, because i didn't think of them at all, and they're really great for after exercise.

question; i have asthma, and it can get triggered by certain things while riding, during lessons i give my inhaler to my coach (it's too awkward to have it on me and hurts like an SOB if i fall and it digs into me) and we have a little signal so she knows when i need to take a breather, or need the inhaler. is that an appropriate thing to bring up to a clinician?

I have exercised induced asthma, and if I know I'm going to be doing something that triggers it, I take 2 puffs as a preventative. This is what the doctor told me to do, and for me it works, I rarely need to stop and use it in the middle of exercise. But yes, bring it up. I also row, and I tell the coach, the coxwain, and the rowers in front and behind me, that way if something happens, they know what's going on.

[atr]

Tell the clinician this is the first time you've done this--most of them are human :)

[Valentina_32926]

I like wearing light colored breeches so clinician can see my leg position better (against black saddle).

[WB Mom]

I went to my first Dressage clinic last June - it was for 4 days with 3 different clinicians! Both myself and my horse were beginners, and we never felt out of place. I don't own a dressage saddle, didn't wrap him, etc. and no one cared. I rode in breeches and boots and the coolest shirt I could find. Me, my tack and horse were clean and I was always on time. I got various folks to video me. I was there to learn, and I sure did - it was an absolutely fabulous experience! Icing on the cake for me was when all the clinicians and other riders went bonkers over my horse. I had no idea he was 'dressage-y'.
Really, don't sweat the small stuff - have a GREAT time!!! :D

[FancyFree]

I like wearing light colored breeches so clinician can see my leg position better (against black saddle).

I've also read somewhere where a rider suggest wearing white gloves.

[kashmere]

I've also read somewhere where a rider suggest wearing white gloves.

...if i hadn't just lost my favourite pair of light leather gloves, i'd say i was all set! maybe a cheapo pair is in order.

[Elegante E]

Wearing light colored clothing and gloves is a great idea! You want the clinician to see your flaws. That's the whole point.

And yes, definitely tell him/her about your asthma and be sure someone is there to give you your inhaler if you need it. The last clinic I attended, one of the riders was coming back from serious health issues and that clinician took that into account for her ride. They got great work without killing her.

[dressager]

ARGH! Total error on my part- my pet peeve is people who DON'T show up in white polos/pad- or at least super clean white boots!!!

Sorry for the confusion!

[kashmere]

haha, not to worry! :) i'll be in my brightest whites.