I've been riding for almost 30 years, and, at last count, I've had over that time 18 instructors/trainers. That doesn't include short-term instructors, ground coaches or clinicians that I ride with. I'm also a certified riding instructor in hunters/hunt seat equitation; however, I've been taking dressage lessons since 1996, more consistently since 1999.

My personal feeling is that any instructor who doesn't take lessons, clinics or ground coaching is not a well-rounded teacher. When I used to interview potential instructors, I'd ask the question, "and who do you ride with?" If they said Frank Chapot or George Morris, I would very much consider them. If they said, "Oh I don't take lessons anymore," they were immediately crossed off the list.

Regardless of however long you've been riding, you never stop learning. My current instructor--a classical dressage trainer--is the best instructor/trainer I've ever had and it took me this long to find him. And, yes, after 30 years of riding, lessons and clinics, I'm still learning.

As a riding instructor, I feel most comfortable working with beginners through beginner jump course work. Frankly, I most enjoy teaching dressage as flat work for hunters and would be happy just doing that. Once students have begun jumping courses, I look to move them out to another instructor who prefers working with advanced jumping students. Even so, that instructor will often send them back to me on flat days to work on their dressage. It's a great arrangement and one that is not easy to find in a world where instructors try to steal students or hang on to them so they don't lose a meal ticket.