Beat the crowds
While it’s useful to have someone on the ground with you during your cross-country sessions – and an instructor is always preferable – if possible, try to avoid introducing your horse to the discipline in a clinic setting. Unless you’re sure that it’s a more introductory session aimed at young or green combinations, it’ll be tricky for you to reap the same benefits as you would in a one-to-one lesson. In a pressurised situation where other riders are vying for the trainer’s time and attention, it can be difficult for them to offer you as much guidance as you might need. For this reason, it’s generally best to wait until you and your horse have a bit more mileage before entering into a group setting, if you can avoid it.