EXPERIENCE VERSUS TIME

Welcome to the #EquestrianEducation Series with #GrandSlamEquestrian 
Part 1: 
In his 2008 book “Outliers,” Malcolm Gladwell wrote that “ten thousand hours is the magic number of greatness.” The meaning behind this, in theory, is simple. To be considered elite and truly experienced within a certain craft, you must practice it for ten thousand hours.
If you want to be good at something or you want your child to be good at something then you need to invest in excellent, deliberately focused instruction. Educate yourself as an individual or as a parent. Find the best program for yourself or your child’s learning style, your budget, and future plans within the industry. 
Let me break this down for you:
Student A- beginning high school in the fall 
takes one lesson per week 
52 hours per year
This student does this for four years
208 hours
Clearly communicated- This rider has not been riding for four years, they have roughly 200 hours in the saddle. They enjoy the sport. 
Student B- beginning high school in the fall takes two lessons per week 
104 hours per year
This student does this for four years 
416 hours 
Clearly communicated- This rider has not been riding for four years, this rider has roughly 415 hours in the saddle. 
Student C- beginning high school in the fall takes three lessons per week
156 hours per year
This student does this for four years
624 hours 
Clearly communicated- This student has been riding for four years or over 620 hours. 
Per our lesson program at Grand Slam Equestrian, only Student B & Student C are eligible to horse show. They need enough hours in the saddle before entering competition. 
All three of these students have the ability in the United States to become “Professional” or “Amateur” Equestrian’s once they turn 18 and their junior career commences. 
What is very important to note is that they very clearly do not have the same hours invested. People show up for their one hour lesson and leave. Sometimes the horses are already tacked up. This is where horsemanship is 100% lacking in this Country.
10,000 hours equates to practicing 6 hours per day, every day, for four or five years.
As a Professional Equestrian, when you are coming to my program you are paying for my 10,000+ hours of experience which are not just “saddle hours”. In total I have over 30 years of experience. Certainly you can go to a “professional” like Student A, Student B, or Student C, but we are not the same. 
Invest in someone who has not only invested in themselves and their own continued education, but that of their horses and customers- both past and present and has safety at the forefront of their operation. ​