There is quite a lot going on in equestrian Holland when it comes to trainers, coaches and (does anyone still use that word?) instructors. Deurne is closing its doors, the ORUN is launching a 5-star course and for years all kinds of schools have been springing up like mushrooms. There are all kinds of training methods available; from the classical riding school, the more modern LDR, Natural Horsemenship to muscle-wielding methods with hallelujah-like names. The choice is vast... and there is nothing wrong with that in itself.
But what do you base your choice on... what suits you and what do you need? I asked myself that when, for all sorts of reasons, I did not have my own trainer for a while. My husband sometimes reproached me for not having enough focus, when it came to my own riding and to our horse William. I would then sputter once and say it will be fine: “We have time, he has to stay in one piece, he is still young enough and - the worst excuse of all: my ambition level is not as high as it was years ago and I don't have anything to prove to anyone anymore....“ All true, but then when you have one good horse with which you have already had the experience and you have already had a taste of the highest level, you just want more again! So I had to become more honest.
What I did is actually quite simple: i created my own profile as a student. What are my capabilities, what are my limitations, what are my needs, what are my goals. Once I had that clear, I knew what type of trainer I needed. Called, told clear story, made appointment and done! My focus has ensured that I can train with someone who matches my needs at this stage of my equestrian career 100 %. It feels like coming home to myself and we are moving forward by leaps and bounds.
Since I am also a trainer, I took a look at my student database. I found out that my students have many similarities with each other. I'm a bit of an oddball; I often make things very personal, simplify everything to a level that even a toddler can understand, put things into perspective with a good dose of humour, I get under their skin and still stir in some concoctions from time to time. Besides, I think like a horse and try to pass that on to others, because it is simply impossible to teach a horse to think like a human. So apparently I fit a certain profile which my students - consciously or unconsciously - have made of themselves. In the same way, I apparently ‘choose’ my own pupils just as they choose me.
It is a good thing that the way of training in the Netherlands is being critically examined. On an individual level, this is also happening; with all the knowledge available these days, social media and otherwise, everyone is making choices that are more suited to their own needs and situation. In this way, everyone ends up where he or she has something to gain and I think this is a great development!
MaartenvanStek.nl | Realisation: Horsedesign