New trainer & First lesson: Advice Pls!

[justagreen]

Can someone give me advice for my first lesson with a new dressage trainer?

Situation: Dear Pony and I were injured in a fall a couple of months ago. I have mended but he has not so far :(
I would like to continue my education (and get back in the saddle) so I have scheduled a lesson with a new dressage trainer (we were scheduled to begin riding with her just before the fall). She has schoolies that I would be riding at her farm for these lassons until Dear Pony is sound.

Question: Being a part-time eventer/part-time hunter, I have never ridden a "dressage schoolie" at the farm of a "real dressage instructor".
Should I bring my own saddle, cleaned of course (I'm tiny and it fits me), should I dress as for any other lesson/clinic? Any special DQ things I need to know?
Thanks!!

[cutemudhorse]

They will probably have tack that fits the lesson horse that you will be riding. You could have your saddle in the car and mention it to her if you want, but I'd be sure to allow extra time for that so someone can check to see if they are happy with its fit on the horse. You probably won't need it though.
Just be sure to dress appropriately. . . clean boots and breeches and a well fitting helmet. Some places are casual enough for half or full chaps, but I'd have tall boots on until I was sure. (I like riding in tall boots anyway.)

I hope your pony mends soon!!

Good for you for ridng in lessons on other horses. Have fun.

[atr]

I'm in more or less exactly the same situation--except I'm already a dressage rider, but horsie is injured, and I want to carry on my education, and had to find a new trainer.

My first session was last week. I rode her schoolie in it's own saddle--best bet for first lesson, at least you know it fits the horse, and if you are wicked uncomfortable, you can always ask about your own. I just wore my "clinic attire" of respectable breeches (well, they were respectable 'til her dog bit me--but that's a whole 'nuther story), a decent polo shirt, dressage boots, helmet (take your own or you may end up wearing something communal in some barns...) Had spurs with me and asked before I put them on. Borrowed a whip.

Hey, have fun. This is the silver lining to my hand walking cloud...

[Ellie&Werther]

What you might want to do is bring in your own stirrup leathers and irons, when I was in college a lot of the girls who rode lesson horses did that, it saved time adjusting stirrup length and it is nice if you like to use cheese grater pads or jointed irons.