What would make the best impression for when I go back to my old riding stable?

I started riding about 3 years ago at a competitive stable. At the time I was not confident (I was fighting anxiety issues, and now I can control my panic attacks), I was a beginner, and my instructer was nasty. Every lesson she had me in tears. I left that barn and took lessons somewhere else, but soon stopped those as well. Since then, I had gotten my own horses, and my confidence and skill level has increased significantly. Now a friend of mine (I%26#039;m 15, she%26#039;s about 25 or so) is an instructor at DM. She is very sweet and knowledgable, and so I have decided to go back to DM.





My question is this: What should I do to make a good impression on the people I knew from there that are still there? (Stable hands and friends that were in my class as well.) I am behind them when it comes to skill level, I only do flatwork and my friends are jumping now. I also need to get a pair of paddock boots and half chaps that are well-made and affordable as well before my first lesson.


Please help!

What would make the best impression for when I go back to my old riding stable?
Just be yourself, that’s your best bet. If you put on airs, or act unnatural, it won’t make a good impression. Don’t apologize for leaving, and don’t apologize for being behind them. Don’t act like they’re better than you are either, just because they are ahead. Be proud of yourself and the work you have and are going to accomplish. Take advice and criticism with a grain of salt and don’t let anything nasty they say get to you. Otherwise you are letting them have power of you, and only you should have power over yourself and how you feel about life in general and yourself.





So act natural, be friendly, and just be yourself, either they will like you, or they won’t. There is no reason for you to need to go out of your way to impress them. They shouldn’t be the tape by which you measure yourself, because only your opinion on yourself matters, not anyone else’s (though it is nice to have people think highly of you, they are only going to do so if you are happy with yourself, and they aren’t total jerks, or you aren’t a total jerk, if you get what I’m saying). Just go on being yourself and doing what you are doing.





If they were your friends before, they’ll be your friends again. And good luck, I’m glad you get to go back to your stable (and your old trainer sounds horrible. Karma, baby, karma, she’ll get hers.)
Reply:Just be friendly. Ask the other girls lots of questions about their mounts, their progress, everything. People love to talk about themselves, and they love it even more when others ask them questions about themselves. This simple act will make them perceive you as friendly and fun to be around.





Be honest about your skills and experiences. Even novices can spot a %26quot;faker%26quot; (people who exaggerate their skill or embellish stories on what they%26#039;ve done.) If you are honest and humble about your level of riding, no one will think you%26#039;re being high and mighty, and in fact they will probably be inclined to help you out and assist you in becoming re-adjusted with how things are done there.
Reply:Why impress anyone?? If you are happy with yourself, thats whats important. Sounds like you have come a long way, congrats on that. But don%26#039;t worry about what others think.. cause guess what... your confidence will be lost again the first time someone says something %26quot;bad%26quot;.


You worry about YOU.. not them. :-)
Reply:Yayyyy, *huge applause*





Do you know your doing everything right??!!!!





Your taking lessons on a horse you feel confident about and wanting to expand your skills safely.





As far as going back to your barn, I can see where this would cause panic attacks as it is.





Walk in there with your horse, proud as can be, keep your chin up. Admit to them that you aren%26#039;t as far as they are, but you are wanting to learn and gain skills and have a good time.





I bet your friends will be supportive 100% and will welcome you back.





Have a great time and congrats!
Reply:You have already impressed me! You are doing something many adults would avoid. You are going back to a place that made you feel insecure about yourself. That takes guts, young lady. Facing your fears is a good indication that you have what it takes to live your dreams. Listen to the others about not trying to impress anyone, just do your best. Horse people tend to fall into one extreme or the other: Horse Snobs, Horse Lovers, who are generally good people.
Reply:I personally would not want to ride at any stable where I was made to feel uncomfortable or if the instructors were not teaching me in a constructive manner and made me feel badly after a lesson. I%26#039;ve had bad lessons before, but if every lesson left you upset and feeling like you%26#039;re not learning anything, then not only are you wasting your money but you get discouraged from riding. I%26#039;m glad to see that you not only managed to keep your love of riding, but got your own horses.





Unless your friend is going to be the one teaching you, I%26#039;d probably not advise you to go back. If they are only interested in teaching competative riders, this might not be the best place for you. Not every stable is so wonderful and if you feel that you are not up to the level of the other riders and that they will look down on your because of your skill level, then I certainly wouldn%26#039;t want to take lessons there.





If you decide to return there, the best way to make a good impression is to show that you are serious about your lessons. Show up on time and eager to learn, offer to help out with tacking and be friendly and approachable. Don%26#039;t let anyone intimidate you or try to make you feel badly that you don%26#039;t ride as well as they do. If you find that it is not a place where you are comfortable, don%26#039;t feel bad about finding someplace else. I%26#039;ve riden at many stables and there are some where the people are, for lack fo a better word, complete snobs. You%26#039;re supposed to be enjoying this so you don%26#039;t need to put up with any attitude like that.





As for gear, check out Dover Saddlery. They have a wide line of products in every price range and sizes. You should have no problem finding gear that fits your needs there. And they often have sales where you can get good discounts.





http://www.doversaddlery.com
Reply:Congratulations on your horses! Look, don%26#039;t worry about the impression - if you put too much emphasis on making an impression, you will not be able to enjoy yourself and learn. I believe that you build self esteem by learning your craft. Put all of your work and effort into learning the skills that you need to develop and no time into impressing someone else!





Once you roll up your sleeves and really put some time and energy in your riding, your confidence will bound and you won%26#039;t care about your skill level as compared to someone else. After all, this is a hobby...so if it isn%26#039;t fun, move on to something that is!
Reply:Groom up your tallest and most beautiful horse and trailer him out there! Make a good impression by wearing fancy riding clothes!



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