The rider who may have taken a hit to her self-esteem when called a “dumbbell” would certainly have received a proportionately larger boost to her self-esteem if she later rode the exercise correctly and received verbal praise from George.
Self-esteem is not ‘taught’. A child develops it by trying things and succeeding at them. If a child tries something, doesn’t succeed at it but is told that they have whatever feelings of esteem they develop are false. That’s what I see so often these days with young riders who don’t work their own horses, who only get on the prepared pony/horse, jump the jumps and collect the ribbons. They have the mistaken idea they’ve actually earned the ribbons, when true credit is due the barn team and trainer. They actually think they can ride, when what they can actually do is pilot. Those who sign up to clinic with George, or any other big name clinician get what they put into it. If that means they don’t pay attention, wander around, don’t try to complete the exercise, then they’ll get out of it what they put in - nothing. But those students who show up ready to learn, try their best, and make no excuses for themselves will get so much more from their clinician. And they will have a good sense of self-esteem to bring to their adult careers in the real world. Because you know what? In the real world, your boss might call you a dumbbell, or he could just say, “You’re FIRED!”
