Riding in a Clinic
Let's say that you're not just going to a clinic, you've decided to ride in one. That's a big step and most people are nervous-or at least excited-when the time comes.
It's natural to want to do well, but remember that this is learning time, not showing-off time. Don't become upset if your horse doesn't perform as well as he did at home. That's to be expected. Remind yourself that you're there as a student and you'll relieve yourself of a lot of pressure.
That said, don't put your safety into someone else's hands. Whenever you ride in a clinic, you'll be a little out of your comfort zone. You're likely to be asked to do things that you haven't done at home, and that's okay within reason. But don't put yourself or your horse at risk.
Pay attention to your intuition. Don't chide yourself as being silly or chicken if you don't feel comfortable doing a particular movement.
We've heard plenty of horror stories about people riding in clinics and living to tell the tale, but just barely. In almost every case, they said they had felt unsure about following the trainer's advice but they pushed that feeling aside and later wished that they hadn't.
Clinicians don't set out to get people hurt, but they might assure a rider that he or she will be safe in a situation that really isn't well controlled. This often happens when riders are asked to drop their reins, for instance, especially in an arena with many other riders or loose horses. In a situation like that, you need to be able to steer your horse out of harm's way-or risk a broken kneecap when a horse tries to kick your horse.
It also happens when riders are asked to switch horses and perhaps the other horse isn't as well trained as yours or you're not skilled enough to ride it. And, contrary to popular opinion, horses can get out of control on a longe line, so being on the longe won't automatically assure your safety.
Sometimes fatigue is a factor. This is particularly the case in a jumping lesson, where the trainer may not realize that you or the horse is feeling tired. "Just one more jump" may be one too many. Don't be afraid to say, "I think I've had enough for today."
In some clinics, people ride in groups. Other clinics are a series of private lessons. In the private-lesson situation, if you feel that you're being asked to do something too challenging, talk with the clinician and ask if he or she would help you with an alternate lesson.
Sometimes the trainer offers to ride your horse. Remember that your horse is counting on you to look out for him. Most of the time, the trainer is going to do a good job. But that's not always the case.
Do not allow the trainer to "straighten him out" in a way that you don't approve of. If it looks like abuse to you, ask the trainer to get off the horse. One ride by a professional isn't going to "fix" anything, so don't let anyone get carried away working with your horse.
Use your common sense and remember that the trainer is just another person. If you feel a little intimidated about asking to bow out of something, think how you would handle it if it were the bus driver who asked you to take a bridle off your horse, rather than a famous clinician. You are still the person in the saddle. Try to keep a friendly tone and tell him you'd like to "sit this one out," the way you might at a dance.
Friends may try to pressure you to ride beyond your comfort level, but don't allow yourself to get talked into something you don't feel safe doing. You are the customer, and though the trainer may be the expert, you are the expert about yourself and possibly your horse.
All that aside, be prepared for some emotional ups and downs during a several-day clinic. Usually, the first day starts with high energy. But by the end of that day, the adrenaline rush has disappeared and people sometimes feel like they'll never get anywhere. The second day is usually a lot of work, but things often fall into place by the third day.
If you have an opportunity to socialize with the trainer and the other clinic riders, take advantage of it. Riders often report that something clicked for them during a discussion over lunch. Best of all, you may discover that, whether trainer or rider, horse lovers often become friends.
