What Makes a Good Trainer?

During my riding journey I have been lucky enough to have been taught by some exceptional trainers, but also lucky enough to have encountered some not so exceptional ones. I say lucky to the latter also, as often this has helped me to realise more clearly what it is I am striving for. Sometimes by taking a few diversions off my path it has helped to re-affirm and clarify the actual direction I want to head in. It is easy to look at the top riders and see what the end goal is, or is it...? The more the eye becomes trained the more you realise things aren't always that simple, and sometimes good, correct, classical training is overlooked in favour of what is more eye catching but with more negative tension, so basically don't just let competition results alone sway you. Here are some of my personal thoughts about what qualities I hold in high esteem when choosing a trainer...

I think it is very important to find a trainer who puts the horse's needs and attributes first. Quite often this means they correct the rider before they correct the horse. A good trainer needs a through understanding of how the horse is designed not only to move and how the muscles develop, but also of their psychology and mental well being. There is a fine line between developing a horse's true inner expression and pushing one over the edge. They should be of the disposition to never take their temper out on the horse, to always remain calm yet also able to reinforce their aids through correct timing and patience rather than force. An interesting idea I once came across is that in a good yard an onlooker will see very little "learning" going on, the horses all seem relaxed and working nicely. At the "hot shot" trainer's yard the onlooker will see a lot of "learning" taking place, perhaps the trainer making allowances for the horse's resistance to learning new exercises, seeing this as an essential part of the learning process. Fast forwards a few years and at the first yard the horses are still working nice and quietly but have progressed up a few levels. At the second yard the horses may be broken and replaced by new ones, or they may have serious schooling issues/vices that the trainer blames the horse for and not himself. Interesting to think about. As dressage is fundamentally about harmony it should not be so apparent to the onlooker when the trainer does teach a new excercise, as it should be a natural progression in the training, building upon correct foundations already laid. 

I wanted to emphasise this point as often riders want quick results and end up missing the whole point of what they are trying to achieve. So basically, be careful to choose a trainer who influences both their horses and their pupils in a relaxed, calm and generous way in relation to both physical and mental well being. A good trainer will take their time with a young horse or a young rider, yet without also wasting time and those important windows of opportunity. Again, a fine balance only achieved through previous experience and good internal feel that is in tune with exactly what is going on. I don't mean all trainers have to be laid back in their approach, I often find more highly strung characters get me going much better! But that they are skilled in knowing when and how much to push.

Then ask yourself two questions, how much training has your trainer actually had, and how much training are they currently having? It can be difficult to assess someone who is much more experienced than yourself. So the main thing to think about is how passionate are they? Even top riders have (often daily) help from their own trainer. Does your trainer have regular tuition themselves, and if not, why not? There is no such thing as "I don't need lessons." Eyes on the ground are absolutely vital, not to mention constant reflection and improvement.

Can they actually teach effectively and put their point across? Sometimes very good riders who have been around horses and had access to top level training themselves their whole lives may not have encountered the same difficulties as their struggling client. When even a basic stable position seems like a distant goal, you want someone who can empathise and help you become confident before moving on to more advanced work, and not make you feel that you're wasting their time and they're in a hurry to teach you "tricks". 

Is your trainer present with you when they teach? Can you feel them riding every single stride with you if that's what you need, picking up on every detail? Or are they more inclined to sit at one end of the school and call out commands now and again? I like my trainers to be in the school with me, on their own feet (unless they have a physical reason that they need to sit), as this makes a big difference to feeling that us and the horse are in the same zone. Are they distracted by what's going on around them or who is watching, or does their attention remain on you? Lessons are not a time for chatting to outsiders, you cannot focus the mind when you are only half present. Even if you're an Olympic rider there is no excuse to be sat in the gallery the whole time, on the phone or talking to your "groupies." Think about it, is your trainer actually interested in training you or is teaching just a sideline to their own riding or livery business. The best trainers I have met are happy to teach any enthusiastic client regardless of their current level or ability. 

This brings me on to how effectively can your trainer actually school your horse for you. I used to be dazzled by the long legs and tall, thin stature of many dressage riders until I realised that sometimes the more effective riders do not have such ideal proportions. If you have a big horse don't necessarily think you need a trainer/rider who stands at 6'3", I have seen big horses going well for petite riders as they have had to develop more feel and softer techniques when not having as much strength. It is something interesting to consider. After watching Sam Thurman-Baker looking tiny on the huge, powerful Dances with Wolves at the National Convention, yet being able to influence him exceptionally well, it further reinforced my views: technique over strength. There are always exceptions to every rule, but don't be blinded by the less important things (matching equipment and the amount of bridle diamante also come to mind here!) Watch their riding CAREFULLY, do they dominate with their hands on every horse they ride, or are they quiet yet effective and listening to what the horse is telling them? Do they paint the picture of them and their horse being a team together, or are they distracted by what others are doing or might be thinking? There's always the old debate of whether you can teach if you cannot ride what you're teaching. I do think it is possible, but I also like to be inspired, knowing my trainer can put into practice exactly what they are telling me, and getting the feeling they have encountered similar obstacles that I have.

Find a trainer who can adapt to your teaching style. If dressage terms are new to you, is your trainer patient enough to explain what it all means? Choose someone who will get you to where you want. If you need your trainer to ride your horse to help you at times, make sure they are happy to do this, as there are many that tend not to get on their client's horses. A good rider should be able to suss out a new horse quickly and help their client get the best out of it, yet its also important to remember that not every horse and rider combination is going to suit and that trainers cannot correct in half an hour what has been going wrong for many years! 

Something else that matters to me is finding a trainer who trains with the intention of competing, rather than someone who competes every week without fail with the intention of somehow improving their training. Remember, competition preparation is done at home. This attitude should follow through to how they teach, for instance not sending their clients out at levels above their scope to scrape through with poor scores. Not letting riders with poor hands ride in double bridles. Instead, working on those all important fundamentals until everything becomes easy and fluent.

Qualifications are important as they show a desire to adhere to a professional code of conduct. Whilst BHS qualifications alone are no indicator of the quality of teaching or riding, they do show a commitment to the profession. Also check whether your trainer has insurance and is CRB checked/has a Child Protection certificate if working with children.

And lastly, don't let price be your be all and end all. There are trainers who charge very high prices, mainly because of their competition experience. Many are also very good teachers, but don't assume by paying these prices their amazing riding skills will somehow be handed down to you more quickly. Then there are the trainers who completely undervalue their talents and charge very cheaply. So go and do some research, watch your prospective trainer both teach and ride before making any decisions. It is always good to try and stick to a regular trainer without chopping and changing methods all the time. For more experienced riders it can be good to have sessions with other trainers once in a while for a fresh perspective. But in general I think it helps to believe in your trainer and have faith in them that they are doing the best they can for you and your horse. By all means question them too, if they are sure of their techniques they should be happy to explain or have a discussion about it all, not become defensive. Remember, they don't have the answer to everything, we are all in the big Pot of Learning together.

Happy training everyone :-)

If you're still keen for more, I have put together a tongue-in-cheek guide to various trainer types out there, just for fun!

Mr Ego Go Go GOOO!!
Mr Ego has the longest bow legs you've ever seen, the shiniest (often brown) Konigs and similarly looking boyfriend. His main goal is to reach top level competition and by all means he is a superb rider, but boy does he know it. His clients swoon at the amount of elevation in passage he can command from even a foal, and the amount of reach in extended trot he can achieve is so great his horses constantly throw their front shoes off (but perhaps not always their back ones) His favourite method of teaching is to get the horses really REALLY forwards. Easy for him, but perhaps not for his huffing and puffing ladies on their wider than long cobs. But he's probably not too worried about their impending cardiac arrest as he knows that today he looks Goo Goo GOOOD!

Miss International (courtesy of Daddy)
This Young Rider is stunning in looks and in her riding skills. She was effortlessly born to Olympic rider parents, with a yard of at least 20 GP horses quite possibly including Totilas and Valegro, plus a horsebox bigger than the average family of four's house. Her long blonde hair is always mysteriouly in place and she never sports that dishevelled horse look (or smell for that matter) She can't decide whether to pursue that university place at Cambridge or to aim for the next Olympics, both are within such easy reach that she often looks bored at having conquered the world at such a tender age. She doesn't want to teach, she just feels that she should as it will help in her promotion as the next Charlotte Dujardin. Her clients mainly pay for her lessons so they gain rights to use the sentence "Trained by Miss I" which does sound pretty impressive.

Mr Backyard Bill
Backyard Bill claimed to have passed his BHS exams some forty years ago when he came over from Ireland, but who can say for sure, no one's even seen him on a horse. He's smoking habit of 40/day has given him quite the cough and a slightly brownish, stained appearance in general, although he could probably do with a bit of a clean anyway. He sells himself as being a bit of a horse whisperer but quite often his horses escape from their barbed wire field and take their well feathered selves into the local resident's gardens. Surprisingly, he seems to make a living with his teaching skills and the odd horse sale, both of which go unnoticed by the tax man. There is always someone that will pay for Bill's Irish expertise or trust him to find them a fine young cob, usually riddled with ringworm and worse, but at those prices who's complaining.

Mrs Whack a Day
Mrs W is by profession a top dressage rider and has a long suffering husband who has to contend with her rages on a daily basis. She is a sturdy lady who might not have the longest legs in the industry, but she certainly has some grit and determination that often sees her in the top placings. "Behind the leg" is never in her vocabulary for she has all manner of electrical devices and implements to keep her horses moving sweetly forwards. If they dare resist she has the power to throw them on the ground until they learn their lesson and improve their submission. All her clients are terrified of her but know she can help them achieve their dreams. They just can't understand why their horses want to cart them round a dressage test in 14 seconds, and why in fact, their submission score is not as high as they feel it should be. Especially as they all train with draw reins, side reins and a Market Harborough simultaneously.

Mr Klaus Kleiberhoff
Klaus is a new trainer to the area, straight from the heart of Warendorf where he was a nobody amongst all the top riders, but now is the biggest thing since sliced cheese in a small village in Devon. Previously with only access to riding school instructors, Klaus has filled a big gap for all aspiring dressage wannabees. He is a typical tall, solid chap with legs of steel who can get any horse to perform one tempis, explaining all the while what he's doing. The problem is he can only speak two words of English - good and very. This has not put clients off one bit, they line up waiting for their turn to train with this German superstar. So whilst screams of "very good" can be heard from the arena regularly, Klaus is actually red in the face and swearing in German at his client's lack of ability to perform a one handed, quadruple pirouette.

Mrs Tubitha Tiptoe
This poor lady has acquired this cruel nickname from the young clients that she teaches. She is a little on the heavy side. Let me rephrase that, she is not a size 6 in Pikeur, she may be heading towards a size 12, which is practically obese in dressage terms these days it seems. She doesn't so much ride as sit on a horse, she's a little nervy these days, but she is great at teaching both kids and adults alike. Whilst she is correcting her clients to keep their toes in and heels down, she is usually to be found doing the opposite. It is her chilled out, practically horizontal attitude and low pressure work outs that her clients enjoy. Her longest standing client, seventy year old Maisy, has been competing at walk and trot level for a good twenty odd years, and trains regularly to keep her scores in the safe mid 60s.

* no trainers were harmed in the making of this article.*