What makes someone a "Trainer" or Dressage instructor?

[soloudinhere]

why? you only need a 60 at the given level to get a medal score. What would be the difference between an amateur medal and a professional medal?

[TheDBYC]

Yes, they are determined by achieving qualifying scores. It isn’t that I think pros have an unfair advantage over ammies in this instance. My reasoning for separate tracks being useful is because, like @Lunabear1988, I see far too many “dressage trainers” locally whose only qualification is a USDF bronze on an already well-schooled horse. No previous show activity on record, no presence at any local comps as a rider or coach, no students trundling around at even Intro level. No evidence of accomplishment in another discipline. Nada.

It’s striking because while the horse industry is huge locally, dressage people are still a small minority. As the token dressage rider in my horse circles, I’m often asked for my opinion on prospective trainers. Folks aren’t sure what they should be looking for despite being accomplished in other disciplines. USDF Bronze Medalist! It sounds impressive if you’re unfamiliar with the requirements. And it is not my intention to disparage the work that goes into it. As a stand-alone it is insufficient proof of skill for a trainer, imo. The tests at 3rd level are just beginning to touch on the the mid-to upper levels of the Classical training pyramid. A trainer track with enhanced requirements for USDF medals could add transparency. lt’ll never happen, of course. But would be nice.

[Feathered_Feet]

@TheDBYC

USDF Bronze Medalist! It sounds impressive if you’re unfamiliar with the requirements. And it is not my intention to disparage the work that goes into it. As a stand-alone it is insufficient proof of skill for a trainer, imo. The tests at 3rd level are just beginning to touch on the the mid-to upper levels of the Classical training pyramid. A trainer track with enhanced requirements for USDF medals could add transparency.

I completely agree that 3rd level is, in many ways, a very elementary level, and I will add that - let’s be honest - 60% is not a high bar if you’re trying to sell yourself as a professional. It’s really the bare minimum. If we’re dreaming, a pro track for USDF medals would include a higher bar for pros like 66% minimum (for example) (like they do for qualifying scores for regionals), and a “trained my own horse” versus the “someone gave me a school master” category.

As has been discussed before, a show record isn’t everything when evaluating a trainer (I’ve ridden with great trainers who hated showing and thus had no record), but if your primary claim to competency is that you have a bronze medal, and someone else trained the horse to third, then that’s a hard pass for me.

[Casey09]

This has always been one of the most challenging things about riding as a hobby for me. In some parts of the country, there are probably lots of choices when looking for a trainer. There’s not a lot where I live.
We all know that anyone can hang out a shingle as a trainer. I always love the, “I train horses to eat carrots” shirts. In all seriousness, as an amateur it’s very hard to evaluate and I think that probably show records and judging training are the most objective ways to evaluate a trainer.
That said, it isn’t everything. There is something to be said for a trainer that DOES watch students in a clinic, take some notes, and really care about seeing clients achieve some of their goals. It’s more fun to ride with a trainer that is excited about the work. I’m not saying that I want to call my trainer at all hours or expect a trainer to do things for free, but it’s nice to work with someone that kind of seems like they care that students are improving on some measure.
The thing I dislike the most is when working with a trainer becomes a cult-like event. I really appreciate working with trainers that are little more positive and less possessive, if that makes sense. I had to chuckle at the comment that leaving can be like extricating yourself from a cult because that can be SO TRUE. I have seen so much drama about that and as a professional it just amazes me that adults act that way. It’s very uncomfortable when someone that was a boarder and a student and a good customer for years becomes the anti-Christ for choosing to work with a different instructor.

[TheDBYC]

@BigMama1

didn’t say anything about a schedule, or moving up the levels, just “progressing in their training.” They could work on First Level movements forever, but if the rider is continually improving their position, the independence of their seat and hands, their timing of the aids, that is progress. If the horse becomes more supple, more balanced, more responsive to the aids, that is still progress, no? That is training / dressage.

Bingo. There’s a dressage trainer/rider local to me who easily ranks in the top 20 in the US, if not top 10. This trainer has a couple older AA that only walk. They’ll never progress up the traditional levels – even Intro requires a trot. However, they are absolutely making consistent progress & improvement. Considering how ^$&#%^ hard it is to achieve a good walk, I’m willing to bet they’re actually ahead of many riders.

[atlatl]

@Feathered_Feet

I completely agree that 3rd level is, in many ways, a very elementary level, and I will add that - let’s be honest - 60% is not a high bar if you’re trying to sell yourself as a professional.

This ^^ My current coach is someone working to make a national team. Her position is that as a professional, she should be able to go out and score in the 70s on a client’s horse.

Regarding qualifications as a trainer/instructor, I’d suggest that in addition to looking for competition records, consider successful completion of the L program as another factor as well as general continuing education. Someone who already thinks they know it all, doesn’t.

[eightpondfarm]

@TheDBYC

@BigMama1

didn’t say anything about a schedule, or moving up the levels, just “progressing in their training.” They could work on First Level movements forever, but if the rider is continually improving their position, the independence of their seat and hands, their timing of the aids, that is progress. If the horse becomes more supple, more balanced, more responsive to the aids, that is still progress, no? That is training / dressage.

Bingo. There’s a dressage trainer/rider local to me who easily ranks in the top 20 in the US, if not top 10. This trainer has a couple older AA that only walk. They’ll never progress up the traditional levels – even Intro requires a trot. However, they are absolutely making consistent progress & improvement. Considering how ^$& # %^ hard it is to achieve a good walk, I’m willing to bet they’re actually ahead of many riders.

My coach told me that in europe, riders train at a walk for months before progressing to trot.

[Somantu]

@BigMama1

In Crazytown, trying to leave is like trying to escape a cult; you’re blackballed once you’ve left and it takes months of therapy to undo the emotional damage lol

We could’ve been at the same place! My previous barn owner actually said: “Don’t you ever go! If you and Part-Boarder ever leave here, I’m going to be really pi$$ed!”

[skydy]

@BigMama1

I actually wrote a blog on this topic a few years ago, based on a very powerful Facebook post from a local trainer at respect very much I think her advice covers all the key points:

1. Understand the difference between a riding instructor and a dressage trainer. There are lots of talented instructors out there but before promoting themselves as a trainer who specializes in dressage, someone should have successfully TRAINED multiple horses THEMSELVES up the levels. To what level will depend somewhat on your own goals, but most of the people I’ve talked to agree that Third Level is a reasonable minimum standard.

2. The horses they train and the riders they teach should consistently move up the levels. The easiest way to verify progress is through show scores and most recognized shows will list the trainer on the results sheet, if you want to do a little anonymous Google research first. However, a reputable trainer should have no problem sharing verifiable results with potential clients. Showing isn’t everything and there are obviously many good coaches who don’t compete, for a variety of reasons. Without competition results, however, it’s tough to verify someone’s claim of training multiple horses to FEI levels, or to identify a clear and consistent pattern of students progressing up the levels.

3. Choose someone whose experience matches your goals. If your goal is Grand Prix, it doesn’t make sense to train with someone who has never ridden anything higher than a Third Level test, does it? If your goal is to compete, then choose a trainer who is not only successful in the show ring themselves, but whose students are successful too.

4. Find a trainer whose training program and teaching approach are a good fit for you personally. This is not a license to become an armchair expert and tell your coach which methods, exercises and gadgets they should be using, based on the latest training article or dressage forum thread you read! You’re paying for their expertise and you need to trust in their methods. But their teaching schedule must work for your lifestyle. The care at their barn (if you are boarding and not just shipping in) must meet your standards. If you lack confidence or need a lot of positive reinforcement in order to learn well, a trainer with a “tough love” style of communicating may not be the ideal choice for you.

5. Choose someone who is committed to their own development as a rider and trainer. Dressage is a sport of life-long learning. A good pro recognizes that they benefit from skilled help as much as the rest of us and will regularly take lessons themselves, participate in clinics, and / or compete at shows.

6. Do your homework. Look up scores, and fact check any credentials, awards and accomplishments they claim to hold. Ask for references from past and current clients, and follow up with them.

Was this the blog that you wrote based on a “powerful facebook post” or is it a copy of the facebook post that was written by the local trainer? If this isn’t your blog, the one you referenced, do you have a link to yours, so we can understand what you learned from the words you quoted?

[TheDBYC]

Speaking of trainers with dubious credentials, I was scrolling thru my Instagram feed & saw that a COTH legend had resurfaced on Glock HPC’s page, congratulating Edward Gal on Total US’s GP debut this past weekend… Not gonna lie. I might’ve squealed & clapped my hands with delight just a little bit.

[soloudinhere]

Don’t worry, another legend by the initials SW has been blasting that one all over her various channels as well.

[initiate1987]

Did you see the DH comment asking another commenter if they preferred BFB over Total US?

[BigMama1]

I was surprised SW has resisted the urge so far this season to publicly snipe at BFB, especially since she’s had such a successful season so far. Usually one or two good tests and nice scores send SW into a bullying frenzy.

And the person she asked about BFB is the daughter of a 6- or 7-time Olympic dressage rider who is a pretty darn skilled rider in her own right. She has way more cred in the saddle than SW does, that’s for sure. Thought her reply was perfect

[TheDBYC]

I missed all of this & I don’t know who any of them are besides, well, you know who. The man & the legend

Totally off topic, I like Edward Gal’s black velvet KEP. Wonder if the way the harness feeds through the back would drive me crazy, though.

[soloudinhere]

I assume it’s because she has an endless supply of fodder reposting the Global livestreams as her own content, seeing as she’s been banned from the grounds and can’t get any videos herself. The pandemic has supplied her an endless stream of content she doesn’t even have to pay for before reposting.

[Lunabear1988]

We were having super freezing temps right now. No doubt too cold to ride or teach in. But slowly we are warming up to mid 20 degrees and into the 30’s. Still very cold in the mornings overnight and in the morning.

So these trainers who are lower level, because :
*They think competing is cruel
*The judges are all super biased that’s why they didn’t make it past 2nd level
*They use a different training system
*The talented horse was snagged from them
Or whatever excuses they have (these are what I’ve heard) are sitting out anytime it dips below 40 degrees.

I’m seeing the trainers that have trained multiple horses to success or are in the process, bundling up and getting there in the window of 30 degree weather.

Just an observation. It’s hard to progress at a good pace if you are not putting the time and work in. Same for students. It’s hard to count on the trainers who cancel lessons at any touch of cold weather, a breeze, dark cloud or what have you!

*Editing to add, I don’t compete because time or money. I don’t care if someone competes or not. But I can spot the excuses from a mile away. These trainers have to tell everyone why they aren’t more successful while also reminding you why in actuality they are better than ever trainer out there lol!

[TheDBYC]

Indeed. Discipline & consistency is required to succeed. And neither are always fun & pleasant. It’s ok to fail. It happens to everyone. To find your balance you must first lose it & all that jazz. Just don’t make excuses. I’m no fan of MMA fighter Chael Sonnen, yet I had to give him a little credit after he lost a fight to Anderson Silva. In the post-fight interview, all he said was something to the effect of “I trained hard. Silva trained harder. Back to the drawing board.” drop.

At a previous barn, the training staff & family were I guess what you’d describe as functionally dysfunctional. My daughter once marveled at some series of drama that had befallen one of them recently at a show. Well, yeah. No surprise there, considering it was 11am on what was forecast to be a 98F day with swamp level humidity & I was refilling water troughs for horses still out in the fields because none of them had arrived yet for the day. Meanwhile, when I’d arrived at my barn for a quick hack at 7:30am, my trainer was already coming back up from teaching her second lesson.

It makes a difference.