What have been your best/worst clinic experiences?

Barbara F · Grand Prix

What have been your best/worst clinic experiences?

Figarocubed · Advanced

Worst was with a guy from The Netherlands. Can't even recall his name. I took the clinic spot when my coach got too sick to ride. I had a cute & talented Arab gelding back then. This guy couldn't be bothered with us and spent most of my session gossiping with the auditors. I did not ask for a refund, but was tempted.

The best sessions by far have been with Stephen Kiesewetter (German) and Andras Szeiberth (Hungarian). Both of these guys helped bump up my skills and expectations of Figaro and myself.

My first clinic with Szeiberth was a jumping session with my tiny mare, Bea. We worked our butts off! She and I were both drenched in sweat by the end of the clinic and I felt like I'd really accomplished something. I hadn't jumped in YEARS, and he had us going through some pretty amazing gymnastic lines. Terrifying, but to Bea's credit, she sailed through it all.

MagsNMe · Advanced

I had a rotten clinic with a local woman. I was on my old jumper, just starting dressage, really, so telling me to do a collected trot and a shoulder in wasn't exactly useful. Then we were cantering right and she was just not getting that the mare was getting more pissed off by the second, so I finally said we needed to STOP and try something else. A perfect example of someone who has a one size fits all mentality.

I have had absolutely FABULOUS clinics with Sharon Merkel-Beattie. On my dear Maggie, she had some novel ways of getting her moving and listening and working. One of the novel ways was having my whip held up vertically and, instead of using it on the horse, making it whistle a bit. THAT got her attention. During one lesson she grabbed a longe whip and we did some exercises that way. Very innovative and adaptable, and is going to get the basics right first, then we'll do the tricks. And understood that horses were different...

Queenrider · Advanced

One of the best clinicians is John Lassetter. I am taking my youngster to his next one Oct 7-9.
I watched a Robert Dover clinic recently. For the first session he ignored the rider and busily explained his philosophy for training. (Good for the auditors but bad for the rider who paid a fortune for this.) With 15 minutes remaining he took notice of the rider and had her do lengthening and shortening in trot endlessly! The rest of the sessions were good though.
Lisa Wilcox is another excellent clinician.
The first dressage clinic I ever went to was the worst for me. The so called dressage instructor basically told me I was a good rider and didn't need any of her help. She had no help to give any of the other riders either! I think I knew more about dressage than she did.

kschmittendorf · Well Schooled

The best I have had was a "Ride A Test" clinic. Each rider did the test of their choice and were scored and critiqued. Then the clinician did a lesson with them immediately after the test ride so that you got feedback right away. It was awesome! The participants had the chance to watch and listen in on the other riders and hear the judges comments. At shows you don't get the chance to actually speak with the judge and can only interpret what they mean by the notes on the judges sheet. The worst I had was a hunter clinic where the clinician ignored everyone else in the class but two young girls. I complained to the barn manager that put on the clinic and told her that I would not be attending any more. I too did not ask for a refund but in future I plan to. Clinics can be expensive, and lessons also, and I am paying for a service. If I pay to have my car serviced or my carpets cleaned and am not satisified then I certainly complain and want compensation so why not for a clinic or lesson? Trainers/clinicians are a dime a dozen and I can easily find another so those that call themselves "professionals" in this field should behave so and treat each client with respect and courtesy.

Goatgirl · Advanced

My worst clinic experience: Rode with clinician who kept asking for 'deeper'....my horse objects to the that tight in the front frame - conducive to flinging legs, bulging eyes, style of riding that is so popular. Anyway what we got was a really p.o.d horse that simply started shutting down. Was harder to move off the leg, was tight through the body....had ringing tail -- While the clinician worked with the other woman in my class - I went to the end of the ring and let my horse out - which he appreciated - and let him walk forward on a loose rein then gathered him up -- the clinician at one point looked over at me and shrieked - don't do that keep him up I'm not finished with you. After the session was over I came out of the ring - my friends were waiting for me - they opened their mouth to say 'you did great' at which point I burst into tears and they took the horse while I hurried out of the barn to find a private spot to get myself under control...

My best clinic experience - was with the clinician/coach who I ride regularly with now - kind to the horse kind to the rider - we've come so far - and every lesson we learn and grow....worked with us patiently watched the horse - was positive and encouraging - but firm....the best thing that ever happened to me and my horse as a team is when that person said they'd take us on as students..

Laura F · Well Schooled

Goatgirl, what a terrible experience!

In the past, I would have deferred to the clinician and probably left crying too. At this point in my life, I would open my mouth and talk back, or even leave the ring. I don't want to be screeched at and I don't want to do what I know is the wrong choice for my horse.

That clinician sounds like a bully. Who was it? (Just kidding, I know you can't tell!!)