Finding an instructor...

[olivia]

I'm nearly all set for Tilly's arrival home, but the one thing I've not done yet is find an instructor, and I'm a bit bemused how to go about it.

I've had a look on the BHS website, but there is no way of telling if people are freelance, or at a school. I've got no transport so would need someone who's happy to come to me and only have a flat bit of field to school in. I've also looked at the local riding club, but they seem to do all their schooling at two riding schools (which aren't particularly local either...)

The yard I'm going to is brand new, and the owners have only recently moved from Bristol (I think) so don't have any local contacts either.

I'm really going to need someone fairly soon after Trouble comes home, because I've not really ridden for going on three years, and while I can just about get on board last time I rode my hands were all over the place and my legs were doing very scary things!!!!

Any ideas?

[tinkerdorisalison]

Might be as well to just get out and about hacking, you will get chance to get used to Tilly again, and hopefully you'll meet people out and can quiz them who they use! Word of mouth is always best.

[SuzieP]

Yes, I think Alison is right. You'll soon make new horsey acquaintances when you're back in the groove again and they might be able to point you in the right direction. Maybe the riding club secretary could help if you had a chat with him/her?

Re your hands and legs - it's probably just a case of fittening up a bit and getting those riding muscles working properly again.

[Anna]

Definatly recomend word of mouth Olivia, when we moved up here we had no horsey contacts but found a very good instructor relatively quickly through both some livery ladies we have here and another girl.

Also the yard might be brand new but are there some liveries moving onto it that have been in the area a while and might be bringing instructors with them?

[nars]

I usually find word of mouth and the local tack shop helpful. Have you tried the BD website for instrutors in your area? Also the Classical Riding club (or whatever they are called) may have an instructor near to you.

[Rowndan]

think every one has given you good advice, i just wanted to say how nice it will be for you to have tilly back and i hope you have loads of fun together xx

[mrsp]

Do you have a local riding club? They may know of someone and even have clinics/instruction groups in the club - that can be fun.