Opinions please :)?

Question

Should I get private lessons for dressage or jumping?

Answer 1

It depends...have you thought of what discipline you want to ride?  What are your goals in riding?  How long have you been riding?  Experience level?

It depends on you....they are entirely different..one very technical and slow...the other still somewhat technical but much faster moving.  

What are your thoughts?

*********************EDIT*************...

Since you have the basics down...until you make your 100% decision..could you alternate one week dresage and the other jumping...see where it goes and which one you enjoy more.  Dressage to me seems like going for a BA where jumping would be like "animal house" ha ha

I myself ride and drive....  what have you been doing thus far?  Would it be the same instructor?

Sorry for all the questions...just trying to help ;-)

Also...learning all you can about horses is so much more than even being in a saddle and riding!!

***********EDIT********

If you didn't like my suggestion of alternating lessons to get the feel for what you might like...have you discussed with your instructor or others at the barn to see what they like..although they are going to tell you what ever they ride!!  Watch other lessons...to see which you could picture yourself doing...this is such an opinion oriented question and you know what they say about opinions...everyone has one just like something else everyone has!!

Obviously jumping would be alot more dangerous than the ground work associated with dressage.  It takes a lot of courage....do you want to be track and field or a dancer??  Just an analogy.

******************EDIT****************...

No problem...I too am a very indecisive person with certain things.  I think you have a great opportunity to explore your options.  I know you'll figure it out...and you know what..if you feel that you made the wrong decision...just change your saddle!!  Diversity is great and combined...your bound to be a great rider!!  Those two disciplines go hand in hand for an eventer....

Sounds like you have a good thing going there....just be a big giant sponge and take in all that you can.  Be all that you can be!!

Best of Luck to you!!  Enjoy your disciplines!!

One more thing...if you ride everyday (lucky you)..just start each ride with dresage and limbering up..then you can fly over a few jumps!!  You can have your cake and eat it too...My answer is you should do both!!  There, a decision!! ;-))

***********************EDIT***********...

Thanks for your kind words...helping you out with this has put a smile on my face too.  It is so much easier to make a decision for someone else isn't it.  You sound like a very sincere person that will accomplish whatever you set your mind to.  Gosh..I hope we're not getting too mushy!!  

I'll email you when I need to make a decision and take you up on your offer!!

It's been a real pleasure!!

Answer 2

I take group jumping lessons and i have learn much but i have noticed that the instructor and I focus more with a private lesson.

But also in dressage the instructor needs to tell you ALOT about position leg and ques for the horse which can be hard when there are alot of other people she has to teach.

And is there any option where you could take private lessons for dressage for maybe 3-4 months and then take private lessons for jumping?

I would do jumping becuase you can always practice dressage on your own and if you ride a barn like i do, you cant jump without a lesson. So i would say take private jumping lessons that way you have more time for jumping.

I hope i helped =)

Answer 3

Which ever you want. If you want to learn dressage there you go... Jumping? go for that.

Answer 4

If the same trainer can give you lessons in both, then you should learn both. You can alternate weekly or however often you have a lesson. It sounds like you are a potential eventer in the making.

Answer 5

If money is an issue you should probably do the jumping.  Not every horse is suited for dressage.  Have you ever heard "Jack of all trades master of none?"  You should choose one and do that one well.  They both can be fun and interesting.  You should research both.  I think you'll find one suits your personality better.  They both take a lot of practice and hard work.  I did the jumping.  My horse learned along with me.  From what I know about dressage I think it is more difficult.  Anyway, private lessons are very helpful.  You should take lessons just choose one or the other.

Answer 6

Dressage will build up your balance, aids and position.

If it was me personally, Id do dressage first and then move onto jumping - but its up to you.

Isnt there a mixture of both you can do?

Answer 7

i would get lessons for Dressage first then learn to Jump.

Thats wat im doing because Dressage is very very good for your seat, balance, posture, ect. and once u have that then it makes other things easier. first u get our balance then u use it to jump.

Answer 8

Dressage will give you basic skills that will probably be ignored in jumping lessons...build a solid foundation in dressage, and then transition to jumping.

Answer 9

Yes, both, if you can afford it.

Answer 10

Have you considered eventing?  You get to do dressage, jumping, and cross country.

Answer 11

i would get private lessons for dressage

Answer 12

well i would say jumping but thats me, i think that dressage gets boring after a while and your horse needs to be very like into dressage or it wont copperate, i like jumping becuase i think it gives the horse sumthing new to do! so idk whatever floats your boat!

good luck!

Answer 13

In my opinion, take dressage first.

Once you learn to ride classically and well, you can adapt your solid position to accommodate other disciplines. Once you learn to ride with a long leg, and strong aids, learning jumping will be a breeze, you will already know how to collect and extend, swap your leads etc. Strong basics are universal.

Answer 14

You should do dressage first. It is basically just training and learning basic skills that would help you in jumping if you would like to do that later on. I dont think you should do both at once because they have way differnt positions.

Answer 15

Wait... are you asking if you should get private lessons (in either dressage or jumping)  or are you asking if you should get private lessons in dressage OR jumping... as in... do you want to know if you should get the lessons, or what to get them in??

If you're going to do any kind of show-type stuff, you'll need someone to teach you, whether it's lessons or someone you know or whatever.  It's not something that's easily learned by yourself.  As for which one to take, well, which one is more appealing to you, and which one is your horse better at?

Answer 16

do both