How to
Pick a Coach
Michael
Hillman
Actually,
the title of this piece is misleading, for in reality
good coaches select their students, not vice versa. So,
the real question is how to increase your odds at
obtaining coaching from an experienced event rider. One
who also has the aptitude to teach. Now, my coach
insists that I'm not the run of the mill adult amateur.
Of course, I'm flattered with that perception; if only
it was true. Instead, I think it's probably just her way
of softening the blows that regularly rain down on my
ego as she attempts to hold me to the high standard of
her expectations. She cuts me no slack and any murmured
plea for mercy falls on deaf ears. What she requires of
me is simply to always try my hardest (which is always
about ten steps beyond my perception of "my hardest"),
ask when I don't understand, and above all else, have
fun.
When I first started eventing, I got this harebrained
idea that I should have a coach for each of the
disciplines involved in eventing. While logic dictated
that this path would enhance my performance in each
discipline, in reality, my scores were never lower.
While upper level riders can and do effectively train
from experts in discipline, this is often
counterproductive at the amateur levels. So, if you're
going to event, my advice is to get an instructor who
not only teaches eventing, but one who also loves to
compete. Knowing your overall strengths and weakness,
they'll be in a better position to work on improving
your riding and correcting any weaknesses.
Your chances of getting an experienced event rider to
take you on as a student will be greatly enhanced if you
acknowledge one critical point, namely that coaches are
riders and competitors first, instructors second. You
need to be willing to work your schedule around their
schedules. Respecting their time is respecting them.
This includes going to their farms or facilities for
lessons, getting instruction on weekdays as opposed to
weekends, and showing up ahead of schedule. Much to my
discredit and my trainer's chagrin, the latter of which,
in spite of my best effort, I often fail at miserably,
and as a result have earned the nickname 'Mr. Better
Late Than Early'.
A coach-student relationship has to be firmly based on trust if it is to work. The student must believe that the coach is looking out for the horse and rider's best interests, and the coach must believe that the student is constantly striving to do well.
Observing
coaches in action with their students at events is
another great way to identify a good coach. While not
always true, the higher-level riders who are currently
competing often turn out to be the best instructors.
These individuals are thoroughly motivated and fully
engaged with the sport on a daily basis, which is to say
that Eventing is their life. I say its not always true
because as in all walks of life, those that can do often
cannot teach. To find out who can teach, it can be
helpful to look at the performance of their students; of
course, remember to take into account the material in
terms of horse and rider that the coach has on hand.
Going by the final standings in only one or two events
can be deceiving, but by and large those students who
have good coaches will do well over the long run, and
even with mediocre horses you'll see their names always
close to the top.
Another
indicator of a good coach is the turnout of their
students. While we've had it drilled into our
"working-world-professional heads," that looks can be
deceptive, the turnout of a student and their horse
really does reflect pride in themselves, their coach,
and their reputation. Well turned out horses and riders
usually have coaches who have correctly reinforced to
their students the unwritten rule that appearance and
riding etiquette go hand in hand within the sport of
eventing.
Now,
assuming that you wish to be successful in identifying a
topnotch coach, there are some key attributes which
makes the difference between the run of the mill coach
and a good coach for adult amateurs. These include:
-
A good
coach for an adult amateur will recognize that we are
amateurs, that we are adults, and that we are in the
sport for the sheer joy of it. Recognizing that, you
should get the clear impression from the start that
coaches are looking out for both your well being and
your horse's safety. A good coach will not browbeat you
for not knowing something; conversely, they'll take you
under her wing and look out for you, clearing the deck
so to speak, so that you always have safe, memorable
rides.
-
A good
coach, even under the worst of circumstances, can
communicate what you need to do in a clear, articulate
fashion. Like most adult riders, I had the misfortune of
having taken lessons from people who thought coaching
meant either screaming or passively talking about how
nice I looked on a horse. While some people may respond
to being taunted and harassed, or coddled and
buttered-up, I don't. Most adult riders don't respond to
this type of treatment in the business world. Why then
should we take it in the world to which we have escaped
for pleasure? Look for a coach who treats her students
with civility and concern.
-
A good
coach never limits the scope or duration of a lesson.
Instead, the length of the lesson is driven by what has
to be accomplished. Sometimes, it takes an hour;
sometimes, only a half hour; but, sometimes, it will
take two and you'll be asked to leave your horse for a
few days. A good coach works the problem, not the clock.
More importantly, they'll recognizes that we are looking to
them to help us find our way through this maze called Eventing; ideally, they'll answer the challenge with
delight.
-
A good
coach will and should want to get on your horse,
recognizing that they are coaching you and the horse, not
just you. I'm often awed at the number of riders who
confide in me that their coaches rarely, if ever, get on
their horse. A good coach will consider the three of
you--coach, rider and horse--a team. There the team
leader and will do whatever it takes for the team to
succeed. It's not unusual for my coach to get on my
horse every other lesson, even if only for a few
minutes, and what she feels often sets the course for
what is typically an effective, fruitful, fun-filled
lesson.
-
A good
coach is one who will recognize your weaknesses as a
rider and the realities of your professional career
without being asked. A good coach will always offer to
help. They'll hear the panic in your voice when you
relate that you have read Wash Bishop's article in US
Event Horse on legging up for the spring season. They'll understand that it will be impossible for you to stick
to the prescribed program, especially with the number of
business trips your office has planned for you over the
next few months. A good coach will patiently listen,
sigh, and then suggest that you bring your horse to
their farm so they can fill in for you when you're out
of town.
-
A good
coach will work with you to identify both short-term
tactical as well as long-term strategic goals for you
and your horse. Then they'll build a detailed competition
and training schedule to accomplish them. (And then
periodically call your spouse to make sure you're
following it!) A good coach will not only tell you when
you're ready to run, but, more importantly, when you're
not ready. A good coach will accompany you to your
event, or at a minimum, arrange for someone to help you.
-
A good
coach will make the time to support you at events.
Having your coach at an event often means the difference
between being in the ribbons or at the bottom of the
pack. They'll keep an eye on you during your dressage
warm-up, often pausing in their own warm-up to give you
some pointers. They'll walk every option of the
cross-country course, tell you the best way to ride it,
and insure that you thoroughly understand all the
options if things do not go according to plan. They'll be
with you in the jumping warm-up to insure you and your
horse are properly tuned for cross-country and stadium,
and they'll be at the finish line to watch you cross, to
insure all is well with horse and rider, hopefully to
cheer, and, if necessary, to console.
-
A good
coach will in the same breath congratulate you after
your first win and remind you that it won't count next
week. Conversely, They'll be the first to console you
after a fall, reminding you of last week's win. A great
coach will be more excited about your first win at
the Preliminary level, refusing to talk about their wining of the
Kentucky Four Star until they've first heard all the details on
your victory.
-
A good
coach will become you mentor, your ally, your friend.
And, once you find her, there's no better friend in the
world, excepting of course, your horse.
There you have it, a nine-step guide to finding a good coach. It's worked for me!
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other horse related stories by Michael Hillman
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other stories by Michael Hillman |