Vikki James Coaching and Equestrian Services

🚨 INSTRUCTOR REALITY CHECK 🚨
Things They Don't Tell You About Teaching Riding:

🎓 "If you can ride, you can teach"
REALITY: Being a good rider ≠ being a good teacher. Pedagogy, psychology, and communication skills matter more than your last show ribbon.

📱 "Students will respect your time"
REALITY: You'll get calls at 10 PM asking about tomorrow's lesson and texts asking if "light rain" means lessons are cancelled.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 "Parents will appreciate your expertise"
REALITY: Dr. Google and YouTube make everyone an expert. You'll defend basic safety protocols to parents who "know better."

☀️ "Work outside in beautiful weather"
REALITY: You'll teach in 100°F heat, freezing rain, and hurricane-force winds.

💔 "Share your passion with others"
REALITY: You'll love seeing breakthroughs but watching students quit due to money, fear, or teenage drama will break your heart repeatedly.

🏠 "Great work-life balance"
REALITY: Weekends and holidays are your busiest times. Date nights happen on Mondays (if you're lucky).

BUT HERE'S THE TRUTH:
Despite all this, when a scared kid gets their first canter or an adult conquers their fear... when you see that spark in someone's eyes as they connect with their horse...

You remember why you chose this impossible, beautiful, crazy career.
The hard parts make the magic moments even more precious.

Been there? What reality check would you add? 👇

Cracking 12.2hh 14yr old bay Dartmoor gelding looking for a new 🏠 , Fenny has now sadly been hopelessly outgrown and is looking a 5 star homewhere he can bring on another child. Having brought on in leaps and bounds his current jockey from the age of 8-13yrs. He would be a great lead rein or first/second pony.
Fenny lives out 24/7 happily, he is barefoot with good feet, up to date with vaccinations, regularly seen by the dentist and physio. Hacks alone and in company, great with all traffic. Easy to handle on the ground, loves a fuss, good to catch, clip, trim, bath. An all round good fun pony looking for another child to love him and enjoy him.
4 🥕 🥕 🥕 with all tack and rugs. Right home is of the upmost importance for this very special pony. PM for more details/photos etc or call 07979293279/ 07783111977

If anyone knows someone looking for a lovely 12.2 first pony this spring please get in contact with me for further details. Super pony shortly coming up for sale 😊

🐴POLEWORK CLINIC FRIDAY 7th 
FEBRUARY🐴

I will be doing my first polework clinic of 2025 at Milltown Livery, all ages and abilities welcome, great opportunity to get out for some fun educational training for you and your horse. Friendly, patient and relaxed atmosphere😊

Please PM me to book a slot, stating a preferred time of day and if you’d like a private or shared session, payment due when booking, times available all day from 9.30am.

I would just like to wish all you lovely people a very merry Christmas and a happy new year, thank you for all custom, commitment and hard work this year it’s much appreciated. I am taking a break for Christmas from the 22nd-30th December. How you all have lots of fun and success in 2025😊

POLEWORK CLINIC 14th & 15th DEC

🌲AT MILLTOWN LIVERY🌲

I know it’s been a while( so sorry!) but I thought it might be nice to have polework clinic before Christmas and get everyone together for some fun! Christmas outfits more than welcome🤣
Shared or private sessions available, all levels of horse and rider catered for. PM me to book with a preferred date and time. Please note payment due when booking to secure your space 😊

Had a lovely afternoon/evening of pole and girdwork today, thank you to everyone for coming along. The weather was kind to us and I hope everyone enjoyed themselves. As promised I will try get another sorted very soon for you all😊

Let’s talk about the lack of quality coaching and lack of standards in the equine industry. For example, kids learning with someone who claims to be an "coach" and all they learned is how to see-saw a horse's head down and chuck their body over a fence like a champion. All coaching is not equal.

But what happens when you have a good coach? One that opens their program to you, takes you under his/her wing? Becomes invested in your success? When you essentially become part of the "family"...

Eventually, something will happen...

Coach tells you that you are not Karen O'Connor 2.0, and not ready to make the move up to the next level.
Coach says you need to go back and fix some holes in your training.
Coach says you have developed a bad habit, and it needs to be fixed before you can accomplish your goals.
Coach says you need to make sure that your horse is being ridden (not just hanging out at the barn).
Coach says you need to dedicate more time to studying the sport, not just riding.
Coach says it isn't a "horse" problem, it is a "you" problem.

People have become increasingly more reactionary. More easily offended. In lieu of everyone getting a trophy, it is so hard to hear these words from people you admire. Some of the best coaches will be the toughest. Not ones that tear you apart constantly, but coaches that aren't afraid to have the tough conversations with you. Or conversations that you may not have wanted to have.

But remember, a good coach is in YOUR corner. They want YOU to achieve success. They dedicate so much more than an hour of time to your growth not only as a rider but as a horseman. Maybe you are burning the candle at both ends (and in the middle), and you need a reality check that this sport requires more of your time and focus.

These conversations can hurt, but while it may sting at first.... take a second. Think about why your coach is against you moving up right now, why your coach is saying to wait until the summer to be a working student, why your coach is saying that you should not enter the show until the homework and flat work is done.

Surround yourself with coaches that aren't afraid to have these tough conversations with you. You don't want or need a "cheerleader" coach. You are paying you for your coach’s expertise... the positives and the criticism. Let them help make the best decisions for your horse, and for your program. The lessons on the horse and the lessons off of the horse. Are you ready? Are you doing what is best by your horse? You owe it to yourself and your horse....

*** Copied and modified from Courtney Sendak