Really really good answers. Love it! I think that putting the horse first is the most important, I don’t care how successful someone happens to be, if they don’t do that, they are nothing in my eyes.
I was watching a hunter jumper clinic a few weeks ago. He was a big name. But I was very impressed with his demeanor towards the horses. He wanted the rider’s to hold themselves accountable and the horses as well, but by setting the horse up with good riding. He called one rider for harsh riding, he had no time for that. She was the only trainer in the group and would NOT listen to one thing he said until the end of the session when he asked her if her headset was broken. She said she could hear him fine. He told her well do what I’m saying. Two very different types of people there. The BNT talked at length about things he learned from other h/J’s and dressage trainers. He seemed to be confident in his knowledge but not arrogant. The low level trainer seemed to have a high opinion of herself though.
A few weeks later I went to a Dressage clinic with a well known clinician. I talked to him at length outside of the clinic. This was someone who was talented but worked extremely hard and studied horses and Dressage extensively. He made it to the top but now only rode at home. I asked him if he would show again and he said maybe, but not right now. He just wants to enjoy his horse without pressure.
He referenced other trainers, even a Western trainer. He talked about theory and they why we were doing what we were doing. There were multiple trainers riding amongst us amateurs. Everyone seemed to have a great ride. Except one trainer. She nearly talked over him. She seemed to want to simply advertise how she trained and how she thought things should be done. He was polite. He didn’t argue but did explain why he thinks doing things that way wouldn’t work. She started just doing whatever she wanted… Just not listening. She then bashed the trainer while everyone was still there.
In both cases, both BNTs gave some good advice. Were they perfect? No. Do I think we should follow everything they say because they are well regarded trainers? Nope. But do I think it’s worth taking some of what they had to offer home? I sure do. I saw improvements in everyone that was there to try and listen.
It was also interesting to see that the mid level or locally successful trainers listened and improved under the clinicians. The two that didn’t listen have only had very moderate success and not only that, really just didn’t ride that well.
Just an observation about how ego can get in the way.
