The
Centerline
www.azdressage.org
Vol. 21, Issue 12
February 2021
Finding a Dressage Trainer
Arizona Dressage Association
by Beth Martinec
As an amateur rider, selecting the right trainer is an important decision and one that can be challenging to make. Your trainer is an integral component to reaching the goals you have set for yourself and your horse, and they have a huge impact on your enjoyment of this sport and the relationship you have with your horse. To find the right trainer for you and your horse, doing your homework first can help you make the best choice. The first step in this process is to evaluate your goals for riding. Are you just riding for fun? Do you want to show? What level do want to get to? Asking yourself these questions and making a list of your answers will help you focus in on the ideal person to help you achieve your goals. Once you have made a list of goals, you should also make a list of the specific challenges you have that may make it difficult for you to reach the goals you have set. For example, your goal is to ride and show at fourth level, but some challenges you have are, 1. That the last time you showed was six years ago and it was training level, and 2. The horse you currently own is only trained to second level, and 3. You fell off him last year and are dealing with some fear issues. Making these two lists can help you eliminate frustration or conflict between you and the trainer you choose. You can use them to have an honest discussion of your goals and challenges with any potential trainer from the start so that they know what you are hoping to achieve. If your trainer is not aware of your goals and challenges, they won’t know where to start to help you reach them. Without them, they might also have different expectations for you. For example, you want to ride for enjoyment, not to show but your trainer is expecting that you will show in the fall, or you’d like to show eventually but you had a bad experience last time you tried and are scared to get back in the ring. Sharing this information from the start means that the trainer is on the same page with you and makes their job easier. A lot of successful trainers are very busy and focused on their specific program. Sharing your goals and challenges will make is easier for them to decide if they can meet your needs within that program. Next you should ask yourself if you want a trainer just for you or your horse. Do you just want to take lessons for fun? Do you want to show, and if so at what level? If you Continued on page 4 FEBRUARY 2021 |THE CENTERLINE | 1