What style and Why?

[Glenda]

Okay, I know that there has been alot of posts related to this subject...but I am getting ready to take lessons and don't know what style yet. It is really my choice. So to help me decide I was hoping you would tell me what style you ride and why you love so much! The more replies the better. Thanks so much for any replies in advance!
Glenda.

[Gracie]

I personaly like hunter/jumpers, basically english. Because I feel so connected to the horse! I have a western saddle and occasionaly ride in it, but I find it too bulky!

[KarinUS]

I live in Texas, so the first style that came to mind was Western.
I started out with a lady that taught on her own horse and that didn't work out very well for me. Her horse wasn't really suitable as a school horse.
I then switched to a barn that taught Western as well as English. Since I am kind of a big wimp, I felt more secure in a Western saddle. I also felt more comfortable with the slower, softer paces. Then my instructor talked me into switching to English.
I thought I would never be able to learn to stay in a saddle like that but I did. I also was interested in learning to jump eventually, so English was the way to go!
The transition was easier then expected since I got to tack up the Western trained horses with English tack. This had the advantage that while going with the smooth, small hunter saddle the horse was still going in a slow jog instead of a trot and a nice lope instead of a canter.
What a difference when I got on my first 'complete' English trained TB. I thought I was being catapulted into space! LOL ;)
I trained with a dressage instructor for a few months and am now back with a hunter trainer.
Anyway, Western was a good confidence builder for me and I still like it, especially on trails, but I am riding English now and don't expect to change that... :)

Overall it has worked well for me to 'snoop' into the different styles. There's something to learn from each of them, but especially for a wimpy person like myself, starting out Western made it easier for me...

:)

[IrisSilverMoon]

I do classical dressage...

and i like it because i want to be able to work in perfect harmony with my horse and have him be able to do anything without anyone being able to see what i'm asking...:)

[Aly]

I ride Classical Dressage, because it is beautiful, amazing and a real adrenalin rush when everything comes together. It is historically fascinating too.

I am also learning to ride western, because it is exciting and awesome, and amazingly similar to dressage.

[Danae]

My stronghold riding is western, as I've been doing it for all the 13 years of my life and beyond :D! I just started English less than a month ago and it's fun too; but in a different way. If your just starting out, I think you should go with Western. Western is alot easier to get acustom to and it seems to me, the transition from Western to English would be easier than vise versa. The transition for me was not that hard because I posted alot in western to help stretch my leg muscles and to get my horse to extend out so he/she was stretched as well. The biggest/hardest different for me was the seat position. I'm currently doing hunter training (if you were wondering :D) and I like it alot. I completely agree with Karin about "snooping" into different disciplines because each will teach you something that will improve which ever discipline you decide to ride. English is teaching me balance and how to better comunicate with my horses and rely more on myself rather than the saddle! Western Pleasure has taught me how to regulate my horses' gaits, while trail riding has taught me to enjoy myself in whatever discipline I decide to do :D! Do some research on what you decide and see which meets your interests the most. I would eventually like to learn reining or cutting because they are encredibly amazing!! In the English world, I think some basic Dressage would be neat to learn! Good luck with whatever you decide!!

[saddlesore]

i ride western because the stable i ride had 2 choices, western or english with a strong influence in dressage. being ignorant at the time and associating dressage with something less than manly, i chose western. i am in the process of learning reining (western's version of dressage), cutting and team penning. i am also considering taking lessons in english, specificly showjumping, as i was in total awe with my first experience watching, up close and personnal, the hampton classic. but for me, the real thrill does not come from any one discipline, it's the ride. whether i'm reining or trail riding, knowing that i can communicate my wishes (most of the time ;) ) to this 1000lb+ beast of beauty is what i find most gratifying.

[maverick927]

I ride engliash because i love jumping which i beleieve can't be done in western

[Danae]

Maverick -

Jumping is possible in western, but not comfortable!! The few times I tried I about fell off (lost stirrups and had spurs on so I couldn't hold on with my legs) thank God for that annoying little horn!!

[CrazyfurAnimals]

Well, its all on personal feelings. If you feel like someday when you get better at riding, you'd like to jump, go for the english. If the thought of barrel racing at high speeds, go for western. Thats just a start. I'm sure a lot of english riders could tell you all the different things they love about english, and western lovers could tell you about the nice slow trail rides in the woods at sunset. Either way, you're bound to have a lot of fun! :)

I ride western because I love barrel racing. It was a hard choice though, just because I love the thought of jumping too. Try out both styles and see which one you prefer!! :)

[Tootsie4U]

Well, let me say that it IS a personal choice. But, here is my story:

I did a little research on each discipline. I even went to some horse shows. By doing so, I got a better understanding of the differences and the goals of each style.

I happened to choose dressage. In my opinion, dressage promotes an extreme connection between the horse and rider. You arent just on top of the horse, hanging on. Every thing you do, and every little aid makes the horse do different things. Its so amazing to see how much control the rider has and how willing the horse must be!

The idea of TEAM WORK between me and the horse sold me.

Western is also fun, and as someone mentioned above, a little more slow paced and a bit more relaxed.

Whatever you choose, make sure to have fun with it!

Good luck

[iWuvHorses]

I Ride Western...NOT by choice,because if it was up to me i would be riding English,cause i want to jump,and learn Dressage..

But atleast in western ya always got Barrel Raceing! ^_^

-but Dusty would rather attack the barrels than go around them-

But,Western is a GREAT way to learn how to ride..

~Oh,and i also like Bareback riding,great for balance.~

~Jen.~

[Cochise]

I am trying to compete in as many different english activities as possible.
Dressage
Eventing
Show jumping
Show hunter
Competitive trail riding (like endurance only shorter)
Showing etc
Hunting

Its fun and my horse loves it.

[jUmPingIsLifE]

i didn't find jumping in the western saddle too hard, because i tried it once, though i don't think i will ever do it again unless i have to lol!

because my heart is into jumpers i ride english and feel comfy in an english saddle, however everyonce in a while i ride western, or bareback.

[Wally]

We ride Icelandics, which is a little different from both English and Western, but the best of classical techniques can be applied with superb results.

Jumpingislife, I went riding in Canada about 2 years back, I was the only one going out that day and once the lass escorting me found that I could ride (but in a western saddle:eek: :eek: ) she asked me if I wanted to go for a run, like a prat I said yes and off we went but it included a lot of X country jumps, okay in an English saddle but in a Western one? I learned to jump about 3-4 feet in a Western saddle there and then.....not something I really feel the urge to do again.

[quarterhorse11]

I learned to ride in english, because, well we lived in England at the time. (my father is in the US Navy, and well, w emove a lot!) tehn, when we moved back here to the states, i went to visit my grandmother in Mississippi. I COULD not spend a summer with out horses, so we found a barn to ride at. the lady and i became very close friends. she rides western. she said my English riding experience had made me a better western rider. i bring my english saddle down every summer so her students can try it out. i still prefer english, just because of the jumping bit!! if you strted out western, then tied english it may seem harder because of the close contact with your horse. think about what YOU wnat to do.... barrel race, jump, trail ride, dressage???
good luck!:)