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Through The In-Gate
By Ange Dickson Finn, Horse Show Mom
Finding A Trainer
Most parents start out in the sport of horseback
riding “green
as grass.” Their child expresses an interest in riding,
and they start looking for the nearest stables with horses. If
the trainer who teaches their child also shows, chances are the
young rider will want to try that too. It seems to be a natural
progression, and the child gets interested because his or her friends
are doing it.
But, if your child is at the beginning of his or her
infatuation with horses, and you haven’t selected a trainer/instructor,
it’s wise to do a little research. Check your phone book
for riding centers, also called barns, farms, or equestrian or
training centers, in your area. Call to find out if the barn offers
lessons for beginners, and if they train horses and riders to show.
Visit the ones that say yes.
You can also visit tack shops and
riding supply centers in your area and ask for their suggestions.
If your child is enamored of a certain breed (my daughter fell
in love with Arabians, and refused to look at any other horses!)
you can check for the breed associations in your area. You can
get good information from US Equestrian Federation, www.equestrian.org,
which has information on several breeds, their associations and
competitions, and various disciplines of riding.
Some breeds, including
some of the most popular, aren’t
associated with US Equestrian Federation; you can generally find
their associations on the Internet, or by asking at a tack store
or show, or looking through horse magazines. Some of the larger
breed associations are listed below. There are also associations
for certain disciplines, such as Dressage, Hunter/Jumper, Reining,
etc. Several resources are listed below, and more are available
here on HorsesInTheSouth, under the Equine Directory Links.
It’s a good idea to visit horse shows in your area. Walk
around the stall areas and ask for information on riding and training.
You’ll also get a first-hand look at what happens at shows.
Once you have some candidates, don’t hesitate to interview
them. Each trainer has his or her own style, area of expertise
and philosophy. Ask questions not only about the ribbons and championships
that the trainer’s horses and riders have won, but also about
the policies at the barn and the trainer’s philosophy. Some
parents want their children to be on the most competitive mount
possible. Others want riding to be a hands-on experience, where
children learn to care for horses and develop special relationships
both equine and human.
Some barns focus more on training the horse,
turning out what is known as a pushbutton horse (although really,
there is no such thing!) Other barns concentrate on the child’s
riding skills as much as the horse’s performance skills.
Some barns encourage maximum involvement between your child and
her horse, while others do not. Some trainers are better with young
children, some with older teens. The style of riding matters, too;
trainers have areas in which they are strongest, for example in
English vs. Western riding, or in Dressage, Hunter/Jumper, or Sporthorses.
Although you may not know all the questions to ask at first, the
basic areas to focus on are the trainer’s philosophy about
training and showing, the policies for lessons and shows, and the
financial arrangements. You may want to ask what shows the barn
has gone to in the past few seasons and how many children of what
ages show in what disciplines. If your child is interested in competition
beyond the local level, find out if the barn’s riders compete
at the regional and national level. You can ask to watch a lesson
to get an idea of the trainer’s
style, and ask for references. Don’t automatically rule out
a trainer who doesn’t let parents watch lessons, as some
do have that policy.
Once you have found a barn and a trainer, your child can start
lessons. While your daughter or son learns to ride, you can start
learning the fine points of being a horse show parent.
Questions,
or a specific topic you’d like to see addressed
in this column? Send an email to theingate@yahoo.com.
(c) 2005 Ange
Dickson Finn All Rights Reserved
A quick list of associations:
http://www.aqha.com
American Quarter Horse Association
http://www.aqha.com
American Paint Horse Association
http://www. appaloosa.com
Appaloosa Horse Club
http://www.arabianhorses.org
Arabian Horse Association
http://www.equestrian.org
USA Equestrian
http://www.nhja.com
National Hunter & Jumper Association
http://www.usdf.org
United States Dressage Federation
http://www.nrha.com
National Reining Horse Association
Other resources:
http://www.theingate.com
The In-Gate for Horse Show Parents
Are you a greenbroke horse show parent, or a seasoned veteran? This site is
just for you, show moms and dads, with information, advice, resources and
helpful links.
The In-Gate:
A Parent’s
Guide to Horse Shows
The definitive guide for parents who are just starting out in
the wonderful world of horse shows. If you don't know a wrong lead
from a right diagonal, this book is for you. "A little gem
of a book." Arabian Horse Newspaper
Get your copy of the In-Gate
on-line at www.theingate.com, www.amazon.com,
or in Florida at Blue Ribbon Equine Supply, www.blueribbonequinesupply.com,
904-827-9099.
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