Going Solo

[preciouspony]

Starting next month, I will be riding without a trainer. I decided to not attach myself to another trainer again and see how things go.

I'm not planning on riding with one specific trainer. I really want to start going to more clinics and taking lessons with different trainers to hear different views. I'm not sure if I will start showing on my own without a trainer yet or call a trainer to come in the days I show and help me school.

I wanted to know if anyone has any experiences they could share or advice before I start riding on my own. I've been with a trainer all my years of riding and am wondering if it will be a big change.

[gmv567]

I am doing kind of the same thing that you are, only my mom is a trainer. I was with a trainer other than my mom, and it was like I was that trainer's property. Now, I consider myself a free agent. I can take a lesson with anyone who will teach me. I will ride a horse for anyone who asks me. My mom helps me at the ring when I don't have another trainer there. I LOVE IT! I can make choices based on what I want without worrying about who it will upset. Have a friend come to stand at the ring for you at horse shows, so people don't think you are trainerless if you want.

[veebug22]

It seems to me that trainers in other disciplines, like eventing and dressage, are much more okay with their students actively seeking instruction from other trainers. Unfortunately, h/j trainers often aren't supportive. I can understand why they feel this way, on a multitude of levels other than just financial. That said, I also think you gain so much from riding with a variety of instructors! I've "gone solo" off and on for much of my adult life. It is certainly easier to do if you have a trailer : ) At some points I've been taking regularly scheduled lessons with a couple different trainers at the same time, usually bi-weekly so I have some downtime in between to sort through things. Other times, I've just taken a couple lessons here and there with various trainers. That is really cool if you have a trainer that's open to it, particularly if it's in another discipline. I'm careful to keep good relationships with all of the trainers. I'm honest up front, tell them that I'm working with other trainers or just want to take a couple lessons to work on "x", etc.

One other thing I've found is that you will inevitably come across the odd trainer that you don't always agree with or particularly enjoy lessoning with. Sometimes I've disagreed with the trainer's approach, but I always try it and have a good attitude (although I've never vehemently disagreed with a trainer or thought my horse was in danger, or else I would have said something). Sometimes I learn as much about how I don't want to do things as how I do. Also, there have been occasions where an instructor has said something that was different from other instructors I've had, or how things are normally done in my discipline (for me this is more the case when riding with dressage or cross-country trainers, as my normal discipline is jumpers). I just go along with it. I've also lessoned for awhile with trainers that I didn't particularly like or click with, but I realized that what they were teaching me was really helping me as a rider. The great thing about going solo is that it provides you the opportunity to be a better horseperson -- taking a variety of different methods and deciphering what works best for you and your horse.

[horsestablereview]

Keep notes when you can of things to work on and practice at home. If you can, video tape as much as possible. Your video camera and some time in front of the tv watching yourself ride can be just as valuable a tool as a trainer. It will actually make you look at your riding more critically and constructively.

If something isn't working when you're riding, ask yourself why. Why is this happening? Most of the time, you're doing something wrong. It's easy to get lazy and/or pick fights with your horse when you're not under constant supervision. Just remember to be patient and that you get out as much as you put in. If you work hard, you'll get nice results.

I think it's GREAT when H/J riders decide to do their own thing. You learn SO MUCH by riding alone and picking trainers for this or that. Just be safe and don't ever jump without a helmet or without someone nearby on the premises. Also if you are riding alone, bring your cellphone along for company just in case you have to make the 'help I've fallen and I can't get up' call (Heaven Forbid!).

Welcome to the world of people who don't fit into the pidgeon holes! Be prepared to get some side glances from the A show program people who don't understand. ;)

[mvp]

I didn't ride with a trainer at first because I couldn't afford it. So I rode other peoples' horses and enjoyed lessons from them and their trainer of choice. These people and horses hailed from all different disciplines:

dressage (those guys know how to make a horse supple and rideable, and how to install feel and timing in a rider)
competitive distance riding (those guys know how to keep 'em sound)
colt-breaking cowboys (get 'em broke, sane and useful)
eventers (learn how to gallop and jump from anywhere, and get them fit)

plus a range of hunter, equitation, jumper and even reining peeps.

I groomed for h/j trainers and learned how to get a horse from his muddy paddock at home to the ring, ready to go.

I also felt quite sorry for myself because I didn't get to be the show princess.

Now I'm very, very grateful for the *huge* base of knowledge I can draw from in any given situation. In addition, I learned autonomy and to make my own decisions, and how to go to a horse show by myself.

Now I'm a little leary of moving into a barn with a h/j trainer and program as I'll do this fall.

My point is that you probably know more than you think you do. You just need the time alone to realize that.

[Trixie]

I do, and we've been just fine.

We don't have a trainer here on our farm, however, we've been quite fortunate to haul to some excellent trainers in the last few years and most have been quite supportive.

I've also been showing on my own off and on the last few years. It certainly helps to have a trainer along but it's not required, although having a knowledgeable ground person is definitely helpful for me. However, since I'm not anyone's "regular" (residential) client, I don't ask any trainers to make a special trip to a horse show just for me, with pretty few exceptions.

[zahena]

I've been like MVP, had lots of different styles of trainers and tried many different seats as well. I have in my resume plenty of year-end champion awards in western as well as in hunt seat. I stuck with hunt seat because I found it way more exciting than western.

I strongly encourge my students, and anyone who will listen, to expand your horizons and try more than one trainer. If you're really seious about riding, one person won't catch it all. And person won't be able to explain things to you in a way you can comprehend. More eyes, more options.

I have encountered the oddness that comes from taking from more than one trainer, but the ones who are truly secure in what they have to offer usually aren't quite as judgemental. But do be wary of that. I had a hard time even finding anyone to teach me when I said I instructed at a local barn!

[boosma47]

For building confidence in yourself, there's nothing like testing the waters on your own! It can also be intimidating to not have the constant support of your trainer. That said, I have found that it is easy to fall into 'bad' habits, especially with your position, without eyes on the ground, so taking clinics, riding with friends who can give you honest, knowledgeable feedback and competing will help keep you on your toes.

It is so much easier to keep an open mind when you are not in a trainer's program. You will find yourself watching and learning from all around you.

Have a blast and happy riding!

[Prima Donna]

I've been showing for the past 8 months without a trainer and I have to admit that it is kind of liberating! I have my husband or a show buddy videotape sometimes so I can critique myself. I am hoping to take a few lessons here and there but I also don't want to attach myself to a trainer quite yet. I'm hoping to move my horse up to 3' next year so we'll see if I can withstand the "you should have a trainer at the gate" pressure of A shows.

The pros that I can see are:
1) Shows are more relaxing. I'm on my own schedule, get myself ready, andschool myself. I'm an adult and have been doing this long enough to know when I screw up.
2) Shows are cheaper
3) Better sense of accomplishment because I can honestly say "I did this completely on my own"

The cons are:

1) Having an eye on the ground
2) Someone to help structure your goals
3) Reassurance

[kateh]

I'm doing the same thing this summer, on a mini-scale. I'm living out in the boonies for my research job, and the nearest (decent) trainer is an hour away, and expensive. I was planning on just going a summer without riding, but instead I managed to find a riderless horse for a couple of months. So far it's been a great test of my knowledge and capabilities.

[kellyb]

I've never had a trainer, only taken the random lesson here and there. There's pros and cons to both. Your wallet will be heavier without one :) But if you're the kind of person who is hesitant to make decisions or you don't have a lot of confidence in your ability, it may be difficult to branch out on your own.

Also not being committed to one trainer gives you a lot of options. You can lesson here, there and everywhere without feeling guilty about taking a lesson behind 'your' trainer's back.

To make the showing transition easier, have someone there dedicated to helping you on the ground. You can relax and concentrate a lot more on the task at hand if you're not constantly getting on and off to reset jumps, get water, get items you forgot when tacking up; plus it's nice to have someone to hold your horse if you have to run and take a leak before your class. :)

[preciouspony]

Thankyou all very much for all of the quick replies! They have deffinitly given me more confidence to go out on my own. I'm excited to start taking lessons with different trainers and finally go cross country schooling with some friends of mine. The oppurtunities really are endless. :)

[Pirateer]

The first time I ever jumped, schooled, or showed without a trainer was at Zone Finals.

And I lived, and did rather well.

Its scary, but you can do it!

[SkipChange]

I won my first Eq medal class at 3' with no trainer. I had just started the switch from Eventing to H/J and didn't particularly like any of the H/J trainers in my area at the time. Best show ever. I still show without a trainer on occassion (mostly jumpers these days), it's great to learn how to do everything for yourself (feed, water, muck, groom, learn courses, warm-up) and still be ON TIME and competitive. Actually I find it easier to be on time without a trainer. The biggest thing it teaches you is how to THINK for yourself and how to make decisions.

Video tape everything. I would grab the video and watch my round before I went in for my next round, extremely helpful.

When trainers realized I was riding solo they began trying to give me help at the in-gate. Asking if I knew the course etc...rather entertaining. Be sure to speak up for yourself at the ingate or have a friend there. My only problem riding alone was one show the gate steward would let people cut in front of me in the order, hasn't been a problem lately.

Have fun!

[SaturdayNightLive]

Meh, trainers are overrated*. Totally unneeded except as a fence claimer in the warm up ring (and if you're pushy, you can have a similar effect). Go to the show and have fun. And don't let the pros scare you. :)

* Except mine of course. :winkgrin:

[PonyPenny]

My daughter does not have a regular trainer as it was too costly. She takes lessons with a local trainer and when I have the funds, takes a lesson with a BNT 50 miles away. She also goes to clinics, which help alot. I have taken her to shows myself and she has been fine. Some shows go well and some don't, but having a trainer there would not have changed that. My daughter is more confident and independent as a rider. In a perfect world, she would ride and show with a trainer all the time. Due to the economy it is not an option for us right now.

[DancingQueen]

To make sure you stop in time!
Let me explain, when you ride with a trainer only every few weeks (or with say one trainer every 4 weeks and another trainer every other 4 weeks) it's very easy to overdo it on the instructions given.

Trainer will say carry your hands higher. You go home determined to learn how to ride with your hands higher. Next time you ride your trainer (or the other trainer you ride with) will say your hand is too high, drop your hands. You walk away confused and angry, thinking either "This guy needs to make up his mind" or "who is right here? They both say different things"

Weather it is your position, your pace etc a trainer you see more often will be abe to stop you before you go overboard and spend 10hrs creating a whole new problem.

You will have to be strikter with police-ing yourself both with doing exercises on your own and on not overdoing them.

If you make plans with one specific trainer to meet you at shows they should be able to help you make a training plan. You could also possibly put a short clip on youtube for him/her to watch if you have a question or concern with something specific in between lessons.

[PNWjumper]

I rode with and for several trainers through the age of 25 or so. Then my husband and I bought a farm and I've been on my own ever since. I don't think it's much of a difference beyond the fact that I seriously miss having someone to set fences for me (and I mean SERIOUSLY!). I have a bunch of greenies and then my mare who I show in the AO Jumpers and a gelding I'm hoping to move up to the low AOs in another show or two. Generally speaking I know what I'm working towards with each of the horses and can manage my plan without needing to rely on anyone else.

I do take semi-regular lessons with a dressage trainer.....or at least I was until both of our schedules got too busy. And I make a point to school with Greg Best whenever he's anywhere nearby. I call him "my trainer" even though I'm sure he'd cringe at that :lol: I suppose a more appropriate title would be clinic groupie :D

My advice is to find someone you trust to give you feedback at shows, or find a clinician you REALLY like to ride with and ride with them whenever they're around (I went to as many clinics as I could over the course of a couple of years and learned that there are very few people I actually *want* to train with--especially for $600+ a weekend).

But most importantly, HAVE FUN!

[TrakeGirl]

When you ride with a trainer only every few weeks it's very easy to overdo it on the instructions given.

Okay, this is TOTALLY true. I was on the floor laughing at this because it is SO me.

I have been on my own for the last five years. This spring - I just felt like I was riding like total a$$ and it was time for a "tune up" so I turned to a friend of mine that just happens to be a fantastic local hunter trainer. I'm going every other week - which I'm sure in her mind is not enough...but for someone that hasn't taken a lesson in 5 years...I feel like I'm in riding boot camp!

I try to ask for "homework" to do over the next 2 weeks and as Dancing Queen notes - I then spend the next 2 weeks working on those things. It is like tunnel vision - trainer said I need to fix this...so dang it...that is all I am going to work on!! FOR TWO STRAIGHT WEEKS. Until I see her again and she tells me something else to work on. LOL. I'm learning as I go along. Luckily, I usually trail ride or something on the weekends so my horse's brain/body does get a break from whatever the current lesson is.

So here is my pro/con list - I'm going to list these for riding with a trainer after 5 yeas of NOT riding with a trainer.

PROS:
1. Goals - knowing I have a lesson coming up, I have much more incentive to practice and prepare to "get ready" for my lesson.
2. Brain-drain - it is SO SO SO nice to have someone else tell you what to do instead of having to come up with a riding lesson plan each time I ride. I can totally zone out and just do what I am told.
3. You ride better. At least I do - and I like to improve. I got into bad habits without someone available to correct me.

CONS:
1. I do kinda feel like I'm in this weird grey zone. I'm not a "regular" client and we would probably get more accomplished if I could come every week. But that's just not possible - financially or time/work wise.
2. I do feel like I am tied to a trainer for shows - she'll be at the ones I'm going to do, so it is not like I can't have her school me. (Or at least that is how I feel.) Nothing bad about this other than the cost and the fact that YES...you are more tardy when you are tied to a trainer!

I do have a question for folks that are doing clinics and such (while on their own) - I find in my area....most clinics are hosted by local barns and typically, it is very hard to get into a clinic unless you have a tie (ie, are a client) to that barn or at least another local trainer. Like they don't particularly want "free lance" riders in there unless they are desperate to fill a spot. What is your experience?