Help me decide how to spend my money?

[iveburntthetoast]

I have a bit of money saved up to have extra riding lessons over the summer, but can't decide how to spend it.

The options are for the next 3 months:

• My regular weekly one hour group lesson. which is usually with 2--3 other people. Plus another one hour group lesson every other week, which usually has between 3-5 other people (ie 6 group lessons per month.)
• Or my usual weekly one hour group lesson, plus a one hour private lesson each month.

All of the lessons would be with the same instructor.

I'm not entirely sure whether I'm fit enough to do a full hour's private class & worried I wont be able to make the most of it. On the other hand, I would really like some focussed tuition for jumping. Also the additional group lesson is with a group of people who are less experiened than me, whereas we're more even ability in my regular lesson & I feel I get more out of it.

Votes please

I'd go for the private and go for a half hour to 45 minute one lesson.
That will improve your riding no end.You definitely don't need to have a private to learn jumping well with a good teacher. Just trotting round in two point position is good, then grids, all these things can be done in a class. Make sure the teacher is telling you how to fold correctly not just telling you to learn forward. I do see some bad jumping lessons!

Sorry forgot to say the private should be a lunge lesson! Brilliant for improving the seat.

Thanks mando

Sorry to drip feed. I should have said the two private lesson options are 30 minutes or 60 minutes. As there's only £8 difference, it makes sense to pay for the hour, even if I have had enough after 45 minutes.

I should have been clearer on the jumping--I'm wanting to practice for their showjumping and cross-country shows. We went over a full round of showjumps today, but I've only gone over the cross-country course once last year. I competed many years ago as a teenager, but having re-started riding as an adult I'm a bit nervous. I can do the jumps no problem, but the horse I ride is quite forward going and it's been hard work to keep her under control.

Go for the private lessons you'll learn so much more. I personally find a group lessons fairly pointless unless you own a horse and are using the experience of riding sensibly with others as part of their training.

Private all the way! 'Tis exhausting though

Many thanks for your replies. I've never had a private lesson so I might try a private lesson next month and go from there.

@iveburntthetoast, good luck with your lessons, let us know how you get on!
With regard to improving your riding cross country and keeping control, a lot can be done in a group lesson actually. You need a firm two point position with a really strong lower leg that can stabilize your position cross country and help you keep control if the horse really stands off and does a big jump. Plus that firm lower leg is essential jumping into water and drops.
I went back to riding after selling my last horse when pregnant and I had private lunge lessons for weeks, really helped my totally trashed core, plus I got my husband to video so I could see my position, that was an eye opener not in a good way!
Good luck!

Private lessons will help you make so much more progress, but be aware that you might not manage a whole hour at first. A good instructor will build breaks naturally into the lesson, but at least initially you might find you want to finish after 45 mins/50mins. If you're happy with this, then go for it! Also, with privates, you may get the chance to ride other horses, which may help if the one you usually ride can be a bit tricky!

Being in a group with those of a lower experience level isn't usually a good way to progress- although more time in the saddle will always help. Some instructors are better at catering to mixed abilities than others, and the personalities in the lesson can also make this hard.

We'd recommend private but go for 30 minute lessons. Any more than that and the horse/pony will tire and you'll not get any more benefit from it either.

in 30 mins you'll have 5 mins to warm up and do some flat exercises and 25 mins to jump - more than enough !!!

We would only do an hour if we were taking a couple of ponies for a lesson.

I’m in the process of sorting out a private lesson—when I thought about it, I have a lesson with just one other person quite often so hopefully I’ll manage it. Had a bit of a frustrating lesson last week as my regular horse was acting crazy and wanting to gallop over everything.

Group lessons are much better for xc than sj

I’m bored so I thought I’d update this. I managed the full 50 mins of a private lesson (I think I’m a fitter than I thought ). I had a great ride and it’s really helped me with jumping and stopping the horse bolting off. I had a group lesson the next day and felt so much more confident. I’ll try to get some more private lessons if DH doesn’t have a heart attack at spending more money