Finding a coach in a pandemic...

[CHT]

I realize I miss having a coach. I have a horse I bought to get back into jumping, and although he has been simple so far, I miss having a coach to help me along the journey. I used to show hunters into my early 20’s, then did some jumpers in my 30’s, but stopped due to health issues, and started with dressage…but I miss jumping. (I still have the health issues, so this might be a short lived return to jumping, but new horse seems just athletic enough to be safe without being physically demanding)

So I want a coach/mentor. Someone who can come here once and a while, and that I can haul to and/or meet at shows once and a while (likely not until next year). But…I am out of touch with who all the coaches are (my barn just goes to a few shows a year…the coaches I like and watch are too far away).

So I posted on facebook looking for recommendations. But I am disappointed with the lack of seriousness that these coaches are taking Covid-19. Posting group photos with them hugging/being very close to large groups, with no masks. Or travelling out of province to show (currently not allowed).

Has anyone had success with virtual coaching at home, and then just meeting the coach at shows (that would mean I had a larger pool to choose from)? Other ideas?

[greysfordays]

I’ve done it! using a pixem and live lesson account. If you feel you can do a lot of it on your own, it’s a not a bad way to go. Not every trainer will be game to do this and meet at shows, but many are open to it if you can convince them you will slot right into their program at the shows. They may not let you put them down as your trainer on the entries bc they can’t be sure you’re not accidentally giving a prohibited substance. I would rather do that then work with a not so great trainer personally, but it’s not for everyone.

[RedHorses]

Maybe you just need to wait until you feel the pandemic is far enough behind you to be comfortable interacting with random people again. (The coach isn’t random, but for you everyone else they come in contact with is random.)

Or find someone to do video lessons and decide later if you want to show with them. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹

[CHT]

@greysfordays I was looking at pixem, are you happy with it? are there any considerations I should make before buying? I mostly just want the mentorship and someone to push me a bit I think.

[poltroon]

I used to work with a coach who came to my area monthly for clinics, and then I met him at shows. I loved it and his very clear instruction and program with homework was extremely well suited to that. I was much happier doing this than working with someone who was meh even if the meh person was on site and regularly available. This was before it was practical to share via video, so I think it could work even better.

I’d give it a try! And if someone isn’t working out, a virtual arrangement probably can be ended without drama.

[greysfordays]

I had a solo shot before my pixem and for home use, the pixem is better. Once you figure out how to use it, it’s a great tool. I much prefer using my own phone as the camera, it’s much simpler than downloading it off an SD card.

the folks at pixio are easy to reach. I would send them pictures of your ring to make sure there’s nothing that will interfere. If you’re planning to do live lesson, you will need pretty good signal where you are. I use a separate phone to video and connect to live lesson and talk to the instructor with my own phone and air pods. There is a really minor delay but if your coach is counting out loud, you’re hearing that on a micro delay so it can be confusing. Eventually you get used to that micro delay and it’s no big deal. I prefer lessons even in person with the AirPods and a phone call. I really don’t hear very well and this keeps my instructor from having to scream.

That’s all I can think of. There are pixem groups on facebook that can help with trouble shooting too. You can also return the pixem.

Hope that’s helpful!

[Foxglove]

ME! ME! ME! (hand waiving from the back of the room) —I could not get either of my two trainers (kids worked with the and I kept in touch on an irregular basis) to consider web-based lessons. Both are older --one said no, the other said, “If you can show me how.” --sigh. Like you I did a bit of looking around on the WWW —my horse is new to jumping and I wanted to work o/f to improve this summer before hunt season.

I found on YouTube a series of o/f and flat lessons from a woman in NZ --Kirstin Kelly – I tried a couple and liked them. On a whim, I sent her an email and told her I liked her YouTube videos --asked if she would do video lessons. She said YES --turned out NZ was locked down too so she could not do lessons either. She asked for short videos via dropbox or messenger. I sent one, she sent back an exercise, I sent back me doing the exercise, she did a voice over of the video and --we were off!!

The instructor may refer me to specific videos she has posted, or give me directions on how to set up something (I have a dressage ring, open fields and tons of poles/standards my kids left when they moved on . . .I set up what she says, and make a video —my husband videos, or my barn girl now that she’s back. Videos are 30 seconds to 1 minute long. Kelly returns with the voice-over critique with in 24 hours.

Horse has gone form fumbling over cross rails to jumping a 2’ course (um 50 cm --forgot to translate to NZ) Progress!

The cost? We started with $5/month --but I didn’t think that was enough --so I send $20 a month for UNLIMITED lessons. Such fun! Anyway, here’s her website and you’ll find her on YouTube. Say hi from Will the cow pony jumping horse – https://kirstinkellyequestrian.com/https://kirstinkellyequestrian.com/

Oh, one thing I LOVE about her --no matter how “bloody dreadful” our efforts on our video, Kirstin Kelly always starts with what we’ve done well. Sigh. That’s so important to me!

[poltroon]

@Foxglove

ME! ME! ME! (hand waiving from the back of the room) —I could not get either of my two trainers (kids worked with the and I kept in touch on an irregular basis) to consider web-based lessons. Both are older --one said no, the other said, “If you can show me how.” --sigh. Like you I did a bit of looking around on the WWW —my horse is new to jumping and I wanted to work o/f to improve this summer before hunt season.

I found on YouTube a series of o/f and flat lessons from a woman in NZ --Kirstin Kelly – I tried a couple and liked them. On a whim, I sent her an email and told her I liked her YouTube videos --asked if she would do video lessons. She said YES --turned out NZ was locked down too so she could not do lessons either. She asked for short videos via dropbox or messenger. I sent one, she sent back an exercise, I sent back me doing the exercise, she did a voice over of the video and --we were off!!

The instructor may refer me to specific videos she has posted, or give me directions on how to set up something (I have a dressage ring, open fields and tons of poles/standards my kids left when they moved on . . .I set up what she says, and make a video —my husband videos, or my barn girl now that she’s back. Videos are 30 seconds to 1 minute long. Kelly returns with the voice-over critique with in 24 hours.

Horse has gone form fumbling over cross rails to jumping a 2’ course (um 50 cm --forgot to translate to NZ) Progress!

The cost? We started with $5/month --but I didn’t think that was enough --so I send $20 a month for UNLIMITED lessons. Such fun! Anyway, here’s her website and you’ll find her on YouTube. Say hi from Will the cow pony jumping horse – https://kirstinkellyequestrian.com/https://kirstinkellyequestrian.com/

Oh, one thing I LOVE about her --no matter how “bloody dreadful” our efforts on our video, Kirstin Kelly always starts with what we’ve done well. Sigh. That’s so important to me!

I love this story! Amazing what is possible, and a surprising way to make new friends and connections as well.