Becky Hart Horse Pro

First I like to ask the student if they have any goals in particular for their riding.  Then, we start to work on those goals by learning for four basics of Centered Riding.  As the basics are incorporated into the student's body, we then  work on issues paticular for each student and thier goals. 
A beginner mioght learn how to ride with a following seat, a more advanced rider might work on how to keep hands quiet, or how to keep an ankle from being too loose. 

I have had experience in almost all discipline of ridiing, from western to saddle seat to jumping.  I am best known in the field of endurance riding (long distance riding). My educational background includes training at Potomac Horse Center, years of private lessons, workling with top instructors such as Peter and Bonnie Lert, Marty Fenton, Sally Swift and Linda Tellingtopn-Jones.  Centered Ridng instructors must take a 7 day course (split into two sessions) and then are required to update every 2-3 years, depending on one's level. I have spoken at clinics and universities around the world and coached riders at the international level. I was also chef d'equipe for the US Endrance Team.

I started teaching when I was 20 years old. At that time I had taken lessons msot of my life as well as attending Potomac Horse Center.  I wanted to find a way to earn my living by doing something I loved - working with people and horses. As I delved more into teaching, I discovered Centered Riding, develped by Sally Swift.  Centred Riding is a woinderful way to teach people.  The program shows instructors the different way people learn and how to teach them.  Centered Riding saved my endurance career - I had to re-learn how to ride after beiong diagnosed with a degenerating disk.  The program helped me so much that I wanted to help others learn how to benefit.

I have worked with all level and types of students.  From ages 5 to 70, and from beginners who have never been close to a horse to advanced dressage riders and international level endurance riders, my experience has encompassed almost every type of rider.  I love working with them all!

I went up to a remote area of CA to teach about 8 students.  The owner of the ranch, who was the instructor for most of the kids, welcomed me warmly and took a lesson himself! I was great to see such enthsuiasm for riding and learning.

The first advice I would give is never be intimidated by an instructor. Instructors should be professional and approachable.  Safety for rider and horse should be a top priortity.

Find out the instructors experience in the area of riding you are looking for and see if theinstructor has attended any type of training program.

Watch a lesson, if possible. Are the instructions coherent and given in an audible manner.  Do the students seem to be enjoying their lesson?

The student should think about their immediate and long term riding goals.  Someone who has never ridden might have as a first goal - learn how to ride at walk, trot canter - with a long ter goal of trail or endurance riding. An advanced dressage rider might have a loose ankle and their goal may be to help the ankle be more stable.

The student also needs to determine how much money and time they can devote to lessons.  A regular schedule works the best, whether it is weekly or monthly.