- much more than conventional dressage training
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"I’ve taken riding lessons on and off over the years and considered myself to be a reasonable novice – until I met Pat that is! Learning I was doing more or less everything badly wasn’t the depressing revelation I would have expected but instead, was like having the lights turned on. Pat has given me an appreciation for how horse and rider can work together to create a partnership both can find rewarding. I’d never even considered this as a concept or given any thought to how my input directly translates to the output from the horse underneath me. In other words – rubbish in, rubbish out!
I found Pat doesn’t just instruct and during my lessons she listened. We had a conversation about what was going well, what was working for me and where I was having trouble. Pat’s response was flexible and patient – it’s obvious she desperately wants her students to get as much out of the experience as possible and would tirelessly seek ways of explaining, or demonstrating, concepts I struggled with until eventually something would click into place. I’ve taken a huge journey under Pat’s tuition and whilst I’m still a long way away from being the sort of rider I aspire to, I am at least now, genuinely, a reasonable novice and heading in the right direction!" Carrie F, Auchterarder |
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"I have been receiving lessons from Pat for about 3 years, and during that time my riding - and also my attitude to riding - has been transformed. Pat has an intuitive understanding of the dynamics of the horse-rider relationship. She is able to identify the obstacles that clutter the road to fuller and more effective riding - and for me there were many, not least my attitude to riding. Above all, the lessons have been good fun and riding has become a joy. Pat is at once very practical in her teaching and also able to understand what is going on "under the surface". She is not frightened to challenge orthodox assumptions when these are holding a rider back from what he or she might achieve. I have been able through Pat's instruction to develop a feel for the quality of the riding, and also to develop more effective means of communicating with the horse."
David F, Inverness |
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"I just wanted to say thank you for getting us over another block.
Hector is much happier after your last visit: swinging through his back and working forward properly again with his ears perked. Before your session I had been worried that he had somehow got stuck in ‘stuffy Highland pony mode’ by my poor riding and bad habits. He felt blocked, miserable, and was really hard work. This certainly isn’t the case now. You amended my habits and have given us some more tools to keep his training effective and interesting. You certainly know how to get the best out of Highland ponies…and their riders! The great thing about your work is your ability to tune into both horse and rider, quickly diagnose and then think of a solution. Your focus on the basics seems to be unique among instructors nowadays; things like picking up the reins, something so small that actually makes a huge difference to your horse. By getting the fundamental components correct, you ensure that the other pieces will fall into place. I can spend a complete session in walk…and then discover days later that magically the canter has transformed too! A couple of flatwork sessions…and Hector has turned into a cross country machine, taking on BE90 fences better than the ‘proper’ horses! It’s amazing how much your dressage/flatwork sessions improve Hector’s confidence and athleticism for all disciplines. Thank you." Kerry & Hector, Brechin |
"Training with you Pat over the last 8 years has not only improved my riding significantly but also educated me to listen to my horse and work with her to achieve a happy partnership. Thank you from both of us!" Lynn and Diva, Auchterarder |
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"I have been taking lessons with Pat for a couple of years now and find her to be an excellent Instructor.
Initially, we spent time undoing many of the bad habits I had picked up during my teenage years when I received poor instruction from several riding schools. Pat is obviously a very accomplished rider but she is also able to effectively communicate the wisdom she has gained over the years. In my experience, at least, this is quite rare. She is very perceptive, noting minute changes in both my posture and that of the horse. (It still surprises me how great an impact seemingly small changes can make. However, this only shows how important they are.) She also truly cares for the horses' physical and mental well being, understanding that this is central to the relationship between horse and rider. More recently, she has helped me break through my own mental barriers that were preventing me from becoming more accomplished. Now, I find I am improving at a greater pace than before. I would absolutely recommend Pat Taylor to anyone looking to improve in Dressage as well as novices that wish to receive excellent instruction from the beginning." Louise H, Glasgow |
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"Thanks so much for a fantastic, insightful, detailed, informative and hugely knowledgeable lesson! You were so kind to me :-) since I felt like a bag of tatties a lot but saying that I did feel different towards the end if a little frustrated but that's impatience on my part. I would love to come up for a whole week to just ride and have lessons with you. So maybe I could arrange something later in the year. Gizmo is such a beautiful and forgiving horse and thank you for the generous time you gave me."
Sue G, London |
