Not Ready

I've got enough people for the clinic mid month, and it's worth noting I have had an equal number of people asking to audit. Fingers crossed that means more people riding in the future! :)

The one thing I wanted to discuss here is that a number of those auditors don't want to ride because "they're not ready".  Everything from being worried they're not in good enough shape for a 45min lesson to wanting to wait until their horse is less green.

I've also had some recent, very similar conversations about showing - lots of people with bucket list goals that are too intimidated to take the first step towards achieving them.

More random pictures

Part of me gets it, life happens. Another part of me is like "But there's never a better time than the present to start working towards your dreams! You'll never be perfectly ready or prepared for anything in life, so just get out there and go for it if you want it!"

I think part of the problem locally at least, is that the equestrian calendar is sparse and the community is relatively small and static. To my knowledge there are no shows, and very few opportunities for lessons and clinics. In the past, that's meant clinics can kind of turn into a bigger deal than they are, with lots of spectators and an overly opinionated peanut gallery. More "show" than lesson for many, which leaves some reluctant to come if they're less than confident or "ready". Traveling away to shows can be a huge deal, too. I get that, because as an adult living in this community I had no idea what to expect at a 'real' show and that alone felt overwhelming the first time.

I wonder if this is a problem in a lot of small communities? People want to participate, however the calendar is limited and there isn't a lot of exposure to things. It's not easy. Here, there is also a weird local rider hierarchy with some finding security in thinking they're better than others, and a lot of opinions and pride on the line. I know as grown ups we're supposed to be over caring what others think, but it really can get a bit nasty and I'd never blame anyone for being intimidated.

Recent input from the peanut gallery: "Look how fast and stampy that canter is! It's scaring the other horses!" LOL

I'm not sure what I can do to help make it a more positive environment beyond what I'm doing. For lessons,  EC is kind, but pretty blunt, and is honestly genius at quietly taking you down a peg if necessary or building you up if that's what required.  More than anyone I've ever met, she really doesn't do drama. So she's an ideal clinician for the situation.

I'm not booking clinics where there's a sound system and a comfy place for people to hang out and chat. Its just a set of scheduled lessons, and if you're coming, you're going to be there to watch and listen. EC will happily answer questions and chat between lessons, but otherwise her attention is soley on the person riding.

random garage recently serving to inspire my barn design ideas

'Show' prep wise, I wonder about putting together a weekend 'showing 101' clinic in the summer. I have a friend who's bucket list thing is to go XC. Another wants to do a reining show. Another, a hunter show. Not huge goals, but intimidating when you've got no real coaching or eyes on the ground and never done it. I wonder if we can put together a weekend with a few talks about basic show prep and rules, followed by an opportunity for everyone to try their 'thing' so they can all run through a few practices following real tests/courses and with real feedback in the form of EC (she's a licensed judge at the provincial level as well as being a dressage and eventing coach/rider). Good idea?

Myself, my current small contribution is that I try to find only positive things to say about everyone, and pointedly change the subject if things start getting said that I don't think the person in question would appreciate. Riding is hard, and we all have our struggles. I don't think anything bad should be said about anyone out there trying to learn.

Anyone out there living somewhere similar? What do you do to help keep a positive and happy learning environment where everyone feels welcome?