New coach - having some problems...

[alternateme]

I recently started to train with a new coach. She is a BNT with much success. Has brought me back from my "rut" and I feel great! We were actively trying to sell my horse (who needs a lot of rides on him to get him sellable - we are not a good match and he needs a pro ride to get him going). We are also actively trying to look for a horse.

Everything was going awesome and I have found a couple horses that I like. We are still trying to sell my horse, who still needs a lot of work. I ride him as much as I can and try to get him going but he needs a pro ride, like I said, to really further him before we sell him.

I feel like I have been asking and asking her to ride him, to organize dates...and I am usually very understanding as I know she is very busy with a lot of clients. But the other week she told me she would ride him. Tried to organize a time, she told me they would call me back when they knew...never heard another word. Went out to ride anyways and noone was even at the barn.

I understand if she was busy and didn't have time today - I'm alright with that! Would just love to have heard back to say, "Nope, sorry...can't ride him tonight but could do it _______" Am I unreasonable in wanting this?

Love this coach and love the opportunities...just a rant about how I have been trying and trying to organize a situation (which coach has promised they would help me with) and it seems as though I am going nowhere. Just would love to get this horse sold and get on with my riding career!

Just a rant...carry on :)

[vbunny]

Sorry to hear that. Maybe she just has a hard time saying no. I also know top trainers who have had one too many knocks in the head, meaning that they might be planning to ride the horse but they haven't really taken into account what else they have to do too - I say that in the nicest way possible, I'm not all there still either ;).

Here are a few options you could try;

Mention you noticed she hasn't had time to ride your horse, could she recommend another, more experienced student to do it that might have more time. If you are having this much trouble getting her to ride the horse once, you'll probably have as much trouble getting her to ride it regularly. And sorry, even a BNT can't fix a horse in one ride :).

If there are no suitable students, maybe she can recommend another local trainer with a smaller name but that still has excellent skills with your type of horse. This way you get the help you need but you keep her up to date and in the loop with your decisions.

Thirdly, does your BNT think you are asking for a favor or does she know you are planning to pay for her services? Maybe she is blowing you off becasue you haven't had this discussion with her.