From my experience in the hunters, you stick to one trainer/ one program. When it comes time to show, consistency is your best friend.
It all depends on what works best for you. I have a hunter trainer and a dressage trainer, it’s been working out great for me! I personally like having separate trainers because they each have a strong suit in the disciplines they ride.
I did this a few years back. It worked out well enough for me, both trainers took in the fact I had lessons with both, and tried not to confuse me with different tactics.
But, there were some times when I would be told one thing and a completely different thing by the other coach. That would be confusing.
I think it can be done. I ride regularly with one dressage trainer, but I will take my horse to clinic with another (whom Trainer does not know). I think both have something to offer. And I like feeling independent.
Still, as a general matter, you have to be cautious because trainers are often jealous and some think they have the only plan.
My advice is never tell Trainer 1 what Trainer 2 recommended. At least not directly. You can say “what do you think about doing X to fix problem Y?” But don’t add “…because Trainer 2 said so.”
I do! I absolutely think I’ve benefitted from it and the reason it was possible for me is because both of them are wonderful people who don’t have an ego when it comes to that type of thing, and for that I am so grateful. I hear so many people saying how their trainer would NEVER let them take a lesson with someone else. My first trainer thought I would benefit from it, so she actually suggested it, even though it would mean $$ out of her pocket.
I do it, I try to take one dressage and one jumping lesson a week from two different coaches. I have my own trailer so it’s easy for me to go out and do that, and my jumping coach encourages us all to go and take dressage lessons too. Both of my coaches also compliment each other very well which is great, they both tell me the same thing but not necessarily the same way but I get a lot of additional feedback and a separate point of view from each which I find invaluable. I have been with a coach that was very controlling and wouldn’t let us take lessons with anyone else, even talking to another coach at a show was a big “NO-NO” it was crazy. I learned a lot from her from the start and then we kind of hit a wall, it was even worse for a friend of mine at the barn wanted to switch to dresage (this was a h/j coach) and the coach wouldn’t let her go take dressage lessons, wouldn’t let anyone come in to teach dressage lessons, and insisted that she knew everything and could teach my friend all she needed to know. Needless to say it didn’t end well. Sorry for the little rant but long story short, I am now very Leary of coaches that get upset when you also take lessons from others and woudnt go back. If you can find two coaches that compliment each other and encourage you to progress and seek feedback from others, it can be fabulous. Just be upfront with everyone and don’t be surprised if it takes some time to find the right people to work with.
