the last word
Trainers, coaches, instructors and others who teach riders and horses at all stages of their careers are not regulated to any great extent, making it difficult to know exactly what you’re getting for your hard- earned money ... but who can offer a more well-rounded insight into the multifarious nature of this sometimes difficult-to-assess role than John Collier BHSI, whose experience of running a busy and successful riding school and competition centre qualifies him to have ...
... the last word Those who do!
I’m still being asked about when I am going to get a proper job; I suppose had I stayed an accountant I would now be retired, but fate sometimes plays a strange hand in life. I’ve a little bit stepped back currently from these coaching qualifications, as I still feel you need to have ridden to teach, which is what I do ... I teach, I don’t coach. I might offer counselling, I might also encourage, strongly, but I do always have your best interests at heart and providing we make a living, I have no interest in ripping you off or insisting that you become some sort of a modern day disciple. It doesn’t mean however, that I respect your hairdresser’s opinion of how he thinks you and your horse should be going. Having lessons from your hairdresser is a real bargain, which is not at all surprising. He hasn’t grafted to become qualified to instruct at a good level, he probably isn’t DBS checked*, probably not insured, probably not a qualified first aider, but I’ve no doubt that he will be good at ‘legging it’ should anything go wrong! I listened intently one day to a child being told that the reason there was a buckle in the middle of the reins, was so that if you went long
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distance riding that’s where you would hold the reins. That piece of advice is probably true. Teaching, instructing, training – whatever you want to call the version you buy into – it’s really all about standards in that context, how low do you want to stoop? I officiated recently at a Pony Club Area horse trials, at which the day started badly and then went downhill. The first rider in the collecting ring, complete with trainer, is busy ‘gobbing’ the horse, err – sorry, I meant using the bit as a means of punishment. So I speak to them both and explain if I see it again, it will result in elimination. Do I get a sorry? No I’m just told that the horse was not listening! Well from my perspective, your trainer is doing a crap job as well... Please both read the rule book, there is a very touching piece about good manners and good temper, without which sport loses its cause for being. There is also a further bit about treating your horse with due consideration at all times. Can I suggest a racket sport? I go on to spend a lot of the same day warning competitors who are over using the whip, due to the fact that rules have changed. As a result, we see a procession of parents and team trainers at the judges’
box during the day. One parent accuses me of reducing their child to tears and goes on to tell me how things are done in British Eventing; little flaw in that argument though, as this is Pony Club and it would help if you read the relevant rule book. I’m beginning to think that rules are for fools, wise old men and blonde wanabes! I don’t make the rules just make sure that you play by them, even though you see them as an inconvenience. Then to cap the day, not word of thanks at any point and only one voucher for the butty van to cover from 8.30am until 6.00pm. Well I’m sorry, I’m happy to do most things if I get fed and watered, but not everyone wants a greasy burger for Sunday lunch - what about my five a day? Teaching in a commercial riding school means making sacrifices; the customer comes first, so even if I could use BBC catch up, it would be no good as I’m usually fast asleep by 9.30pm. The last lesson here finishes at 9.00pm and when the horses are away and clients gone, that’s me. I sometimes feel that riding schools have had their day, as you can keep a horse for less money than some mobile phone contracts – and you can take lessons from your
Ready for a riding lesson from one of the BHS qualified Instructors at Blackdyke Farm in Cumbria
mobile hairdresser who doesn’t pay business rates, VAT, tax or national insurance. Strange how it’s a sign of a civilised society that we pay tax and care for the needy, yet he’s gone for the selfish, cash in hand, opt out clause.
But we definitely do have our rewarding moments; the joy you see in a child’s face when they first sit on a pony and this week, the pleasure and sense of achievement when the parents of a disabled child see their child compete at the National Championships. I wouldn’t swop it for the world, I just would like a level playing field, along with a few more hours in the day. It suddenly struck me the other day that perhaps Sir David Attenborough should be doing a TV series on the great migration south that takes place when Hartpury hosts various finals; we certainly benefit from providing overnight stables for those folk that live in the frozen wilds of Aberdeen when they break their migration with a ‘mid way’ overnight stop.
* DBS Check is the new name for what was previously the CRB Check – Criminal Records Bureau. DBS means Disclosure and Barring Service – it does what the name suggests.
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