Who Rides Western?

[Outrider]

Lets see a show of hands of who rides western and how long you have been doing it. Let me know where you are from too. Happy Trails!

[Katie_85]

You already know me...:) Currently riding Western, have been for about 3 months, doing so in FL!:)

[cappyneil]

i use to 20 yrs ago and now i just bought a tenn. walker an trying to get back into western riding when i can get this one horse power hay burner to cooporate he's great at the walk but in a fast gait there is confusion i think i'm giving the wrong signals but i'm going to hang in there

[Outrider]

cappyneil, it is interesting that you mention a TW. I am riding a TW for a guy right now and when I try to get him into a lope, it seems like the front end is trying to cooperate, but the back end continues to trot! Is that what yours is doing? He is a great ride and has a fast trot you could ride all day that really covers ground!

Nice to see there are a few more western riders besides me around the barn here! Hope the Western Way section is good for you guys too! Happy Trails!

[Peace]

I grew up in the Appalachian Mtns. of western South Carolina and as a kid, when we used saddles they were western ones. When I started actually taking lessons as an adult I chose western b/c there were lots more barns that taught western and b/c I can't imagine ever wanting to jump (15 - 17 hands above the ground is plenty far enough for me!). I switched to english later, when I found absolutely the perfect barn with the perfect lesson horse and they only taught english!

Hey, Outrider - I didn't know TWH's had a trot! I thought it was just walk, "running walk," and canter/lope (eek, not the melon - you know what I mean :D ) Pardon an ignorant question, but I'm really interested in learning more about this breed - haven't ridden one yet but liked the temperament and looks of the few I've met so far - do they have four gaits?

[Outrider]

Hi Peace. Pardon my cowboy ways! No, TWs have three gaits, and their official names are the flat-foot walk, the running walk & the canter. There is a good web site on the history of the breed at www.walking-horse.com/history.html and another site at www.walking-horse.com/main.html

I don't know alot about the breed either. This one I am riding hasn't been trained in the traditional TW gaits it seems. I guess what I was calling a trot was really the running walk. Happy Trails!

[Peace]

Outrider: Thanks for the site! I went there and spent awhile drooling over the classifieds, but I also found out there's a big TWH show coming to SC in Sept. Think I'll see if I can go and make some friends!

Is the "running walk" really a four-beat gait, like a regular walk? I've heard it's really smooth to ride, but I can't imagine how. If you think about it, there's really a lot of movement going on at the walk. Or is it more like a pace? I got interested in TW's because the ones I know have such great dispositions, but since one of them is recuperating from an injury and the other is just a young'un, I've never actually seen the gaits.

[plusone]

I started English but have been riding western for 10 years now.

[Showjumper]

I've never ridden Western but I really want to try - any chance a 10 year old TB ex-racer could learn? Lol, he's all I've got to ride at the moment (well, from September onwards...)

That TWH site is brilliant - I'm in love - see attachment! :D

[Outrider]

Peace, I've never ridden a TW so I don't know first hand of the comfort level of the running walk. I have seen it at shows and I have had friends who had TWs and they said it was a really smooth ride. There is a lot of action, but if you look closely at the rider, they barely move at all.

Anyone want to write some articles for the Western Way for me? Happy Trails!

[hummingbird94]

Gosh, I really don't know how old I was when I started riding. I'm 25 now though and live in Georgia. I've never even ridden with anybody riding anything but Western.:D

[Outrider]

Goforblue,

Quarter Horses are the epitome of versatility. They race, jump, hunt seat, dressage, not to mention all of the "cowboy" types of activities. I think the idea that the Quarter Horse is a cowboy horse is because that is where he had his beginnings...on the ranches of cattlemen in the west and southwestern US. In this country, the primary job of the Quarter Horse has been cowboy type activites. The Quarter Horse is a "cow pony" in every sense of the word, but you are right. The breed is so versatile that they can do just aobut anything any other breed can do.

[fionahogg]

I've never ridden western but would love to try! One day, definitely!

[Nancy]

My friends and I have ridden western for about 12 years now. They own the horses, I just come out on weekends. My guy is a little quarter/arab mix with a beautiful ride. He is small and the men I ride with don't fit on him, so I share him with "The Galloping Grandma". She is 75, started riding when we did and her motto is "Pick up the Pace". We ride in a beautiful park on Long Island, New York.
Nothing fancy, just pure fun and relaxation. Our trailboss, the 22 year old guy in the group is leaving for vet school this week and we sure will miss him, as he is the best rider and does the most barn work! Happy Trails

[Gracie]

I occasionally ride Western ,,but to be honest,,
I KNOW NOTHING about it!!!
But I like it a LOT!

[Midnight]

Hi, I ride western, for about 6 months now. Got 2 quarter horses, greetings from the US, the eastern shore of Delaware.

[Catbaloo]

I have riden english for years, and last year lost my gelding of 11years, I had him since he was ten months old. Now I have a yearling that I bought just after my last one died and decided I would break him to western. I have now been having lessons, 1st with Pam Brown and now Bob mayhew. I am learning and enjoying riding so much, I wished I had done western with my other horse. I am so looking forward to the day this one is broken.:D

[Moonlightrider]

I'd never liked western - we only had cheap saddles at my barn and they HURT to sit a trot in! - but I may start riding it anyway. First, we have a few new western horses and they neck rein and do a few reining moves, and I want to learn, so I have to start riding western. Plus, I'm helping retrain a QH cross mare who's been trainied really well western. I rode her english the first time I rode her and nearly came off a dozen times. Not only did she keep stopping on a dime, but she'd be dogging all around the ring from side to side while I tried to calm her down - and then stop! Hopefully a western saddle will keep me in better.

[JackiAH]

Alright- I've started riding western (dabbling in it) about... oh... 6 months ago. In the last few, however, I have become WAY more serious about it, and instead of my first show being the afore-planned Short Stirrup, I'll be showing in the Walk/Jog 13 and under! I'm in Davie-ish Florida!

And a thing about QH's- I have a horse to prove that the Quarter Horse is truly versatile, and his name is Pal. He- was in the Regional Dressage Championships, can jump 4'6 easy, has the perfect Saddle-Seat trot, can do a Sliding Stop and various Reining er... techniques, was a Team Roping and All Around Rodeo Pony, and now is showing Western Pleasure with a 12 year old.

Did I mention that he was abused? And he stands at 14 hands high?

Talk about dynamite in a small package... *grins at OutRider*

-Jacki

[Outrider]

Dynamite sure does come in small packages Jacki! Just like you! The Quarter Horse, in my mind, is the most versatile breed there is. Their willing attitude and intelligence allows them to do it all. Happy Trails!

[Wkndtrotter]

HI, I RIDE WESTERN ALSO, I LIKE IT A LOT,I'VE ONLY BEEN RIDING FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AND STILL LEARNING. I HAVE QH AND MY GELDING IS 1/2 MFT AND 1/2 QH, THE GELDING IS A REAL SMOOTH RIDE. RODE THE MARE FIRST AND WAS SO SURPRISED AFTER I RODE THE GELDING WHAT A DIFFERENCE. EVEN THOUGH MY MARE ALSO HAS A NICE TROT WHEN SHE WANTS TO .

[SILENT-ONE200]

I was born and raised in El, Paso, Texas on a small ranch. I have ridden western all of my life with the brief time being taught how to ride my shetland pony BAREBACK. I currently own 2 Foundation Quarter Horse (Skipper W bred) Cropouts that are registered as Paints. Wonderful "thinking man's"type horses. Good temperament and willing disposition. :-)

SILENT-ONE200

[Outrider]

I've ridden several different breeds SilentOne, but without a doubt, the Quarter Horse is the best, in all categories. Fast, versatile and easy going. Do you still live in El Paso? I live in Killeen. Happy Trails!

[Meg]

I've been away from the computer for a while, so I felt the need to put my two-cents in on a subject from a while back....

I grew up (in Alabama) riding Walking Horses. We didn't ride English or Western, per se....we just rode!!! Though most walking horses would prefer not to, they can trot. I love the naturally smooth gate, but I must say, it makes it difficult for one to learn to post!!!:)

My best friend, here at school, is a Quarter Horse/Paint fanatic with four of her own, so I am getting my share of wester lessons now!

[SILENT-ONE200]

My grandmother was a genuine "society" girl. Her aunt raised Tennesee Walkers and my grandmother was the first civilian to ride one in an Army affiliated show on the Army base. Goodness knows, I've tried riding Tennesee Walkers and American Saddlebreds, but having strictly been raised as a Western rider, it's just diificult for me to ride them.

Outrider,

I do not live in El Paso anymore,I moved up to Hopkins ( a suburb of Minneapolis), Minnesota 7 years ago with my husband so that he could take a job. I know Killeen/ Ft. Hood area. :-) I haven't been out that way in a long time.

SILENT-ONE200

[Wkndtrotter]

Hi Outrider, I used to live in Copperas Cove (Kempner) for 11 years. Live in AR now . Moved away from down there in 1996

[Outrider]

Hi Wkndtrotter! Looks like its old home week for Texans and ex Texans! The place has changed alot since you left. See what happens when you do that? Things just go down hill! You need to come back and fix the place! Happy Trails!

[Wkndtrotter]

Hi Outrider,
Thank's for the reply, as a matter of fact I'll probably be down there in about two weeks, have family there and in Austin and will be visiting. We have had so much rain here lately that I haven't had a chance to ride, only have time on the weekend as it is. Oh, well hope to be out a little tomorrow if it doesn;t rain again.
Do you have any tips on mounting, my mare is always stepping back when I try to get on always have to have soemone there to hold her and then it takes a few times before she'll stand still.
Thanks

[Outrider]

Mounting? There are a few ways I have found successful with a horse that won't stand to mount. I assume she is fine once you are in the saddle. Here is a couple of things I have done with horses like that.

If there is a corner you can put her in, where she can't go forward or sideways, put her there and practice mounting and dismounting over and over again. You might even keep the halter on under the bridle if she still wants to back out, and tie it to the fence with a quick knot that reaches to the horn of the saddle in case you get in trouble. After doing this for a while, take her out of the corner into an open area and try mounting. If she moves away again, its back to the corner. She should get the idea of this, but it may take a few sessions.

Another technique that has worked but requires more time and people is to have the horse in the open with another person on the off side. That persons hands should be on the chest and rump, not the reins. As you mount, this person puts pressure on the chest and is just barely touching the rump. I used this successfully on a horse that tried to move out from under his rider as she tried to mount. He would move his rear to the side instead of going forward. It took a while, but now he stands like a champ. Hope this helps, and if you want to ride when you are here, let me know. There is a horse at the stable where I board that I could borrow. My email is horizons@dashlink.com

Happy Trails!

[Shadowfox]

HI! I ride western too. I live in the US and I'm taking western pleasure lessons. I'll show for IHSA this year, but I'm just using the lessons to secure my seat. I'm leasing a 16.3 horse this year so I'll probably be doing a lot more riding in his owners dressage saddle then western. EEk! lifting a 25 pound saddle on his back makes me shudder.

[Shadowfox]

Try riding him with his regular bridle and a synthetic western saddle. This will worry your horse (and your back!) less then going from english to a 25lb western saddle. The synthetics are just as nice, lightweight, and cheap:) .

If you want to teach him the curb, try riding him in his normal bridle(a snaffle), drop your contact on his mouth, and exagerate the movements to turn him. Give him the aid to go left and lay the right rein across his neck way over to the left side. You can then use a pelham to introduce the curb, eventually dropping all contact with the snaffle. Your horse should relax and drop his head in the curb. Be patient:cool:

[Mandy79]

I ride western although I still have a lot to learn :) I'm going crazy reading all of this stuff about quarter horses!! My guy is a QH and I'm going crazy waiting to bring him home!!!

[SweetHillsGurly]

i go both ways..... hmm after the topic by rickd perhaps i should rephrase that..... english and western

[SweetHillsGurly]

peace, the running walk isn't a four beat..... more like two and a half, i think. it looks a little bit like a standardbred pace, but different.

outrider, the quarter horse did not get its start as a cowboy horse. it started in colonial times on the east coast, in an english saddle, working during the week, then doing the quarter mile race on saturday.

[Tramp]

I have rode in a Western saddle or bareback since I started riding at the age of 6. (That was 30 some years ago.) I just recently started riding English when my sister gave me her old English saddle and I developed Fibromyalgia. I still ride Western but I find the English saddle a little easier on the joints if I am just pleasure riding. The only problem I have with the English saddle is that my horse is very enthusiastic about being ridden and once in a while he expresses that enthusiasm by bucking. Then I go off. He stands 16.2 and weighs 1400 pounds. I'm no match for him. He is always sorry afterward and very surprised that I come off him. I never used to. I have had him since he was 2 years old and he was trained on cattle and ranch work, so he is very fast on his feet and can duck right out from underneath you.
I see one person was asking if Thoroughbreds can be trained to ride western. My horse is half Thoroughbred and several of my ranch horses over the years were half or all Thoroughbred. Personally I liked some Thoroughbred or Standardbred in my ranch horses. They had more stamina and speed than most of the straight Quarter horses. (I know the Quarter horse people will object to this observation.) They just need a little more time and patience if they have been on the race track.
Tramp

[SweetHillsGurly]

i absolutely adore tbs. with some retraining, you can make him into a nice western pleasure horse. he can't take you to the top in some of the things probably -note i said probably, because he might be able to- but as a pleasure horse could be quite nice.

[HunterGirl]

I started at a QH barn almost 10 years ago. I rode english in my lesson but showed western too. Now I ride at a Hunter/Jumper barn but will get out the western saddle once and a while if we have a horse that goes western or a troublesome horse. Even though I spend most of my time on TB's or warmbloods there is nothing like a sturdy QH to show or just goof around with.
Around here there are plenty of them. Brantford Ontario Canada

[banditbits]

I LOVE MY QH!!!! I started riding about 8 years ago. Got my first horse about 5 years ago. I started out Western Pleasure, showing a friends horse in local shows. Then one day, a friend of a friend said--"I have a barrel horse I want to find a home for......" That was all she wrote! I am addicted to it now. I love barrel racing. My husband calf ropes. Actually his horse was the first horse we bought. Mine is the second. We now have 4 QH's. I love them. They are my babies! I love riding western. We trail ride in the winter and rodeo----try to anyways---the rest of the year. Good luck to all!!

[ALLISON2001]

I alos ride western:D

[Katie_85]

Eh, the running walk absolutely IS a 4 beat gait.

[equestria]

I've been riding western for three years at camp, and recently switched to English. it's pretty different, but I'm not a raw beginner thanks to three years of riding.:)

[buffy_vampire]

Ive been riding western since i started riding horses. thats about 3 years.

[Waikato Valuta]

I have tried it, but foudn it a bit strange.

I had a western instructor for about a year but i manly used my english saddle except on a few ocasions where he lent me his big western saddle when i was having a few bucking issus. you sit different, and I found it hard to rise to the trot.

I think i would like to try it again sometime as barrel racing looks great. and i have won two comps in my english saddle so it would be fun to do it properly at recognised shows.

[QuarterHorseMac]

Well I guess I could say I ride western..Ive only rode once or twice, but both times are western. Plus my uncles teaching me how to ride western...so I could say I ride western :D

[aphagirlie05]

I've been riding Western Pleasure for almost six years now, and I'm truly in love with the western show ring!!! However, as much as I love the quarter horses we have at the barn, I've got to say my true love is the Arabian. I learned to ride on a wonderful Arabian mare and boy was it fun! I barrel race on a big 16hh Arabian gelding, and boy do we have fun! I show hunt seat/western pleasure on a gorgeous half-arab pinto mare named Nique, and I've recently helped my trainer start her beautiful half-arabian pinto gelding who I'll be showing at the State Fair this fall, and at another show in December in the WP ring. They're definitely some great horses.

I own a paint horse myself, and I love my little tobiano baby's sweet personality and wonderful temperament! He's gonna be the best western show horse ever! He's only 16 months old right now, but boy is he a pretty boy! He's got a gorgeous conformation right now, and his legs are getting wider and are looking just superb in my opinion. I'm gonna have to take a picture of him tommorow, I just hope he's not too dirty...

Oh yes, the running walk is definitely a great gait to ride! I trail ride with my friend on her mom's TW. It's the second time I've ever ridden one, and the first one, although not a great horse in some aspects, was smoother than air at the lope. It felt like there was nothing underneath me. He had this stride that just ate up the ground. In my personal opinion, he would've made a great jumper. He was big, probably about 15.3-16hh. My friend's mom's horse is a big sweetie. He's probably about fifteen some hands high and boy is he a great trail mount. He has great transitions, and at the running walk my friend has to canter her little quarter horse to keep up with him!

[western]

I have been riding western for as long as that i have gotten my horse . About 4 years now i guess, i have tried english and really like that too. I really like riding western, its very relaxing and comfortable.

[sozzie]

I've had my QH filly for 2 months now and I can't believe I ever considered getting any other breed (apart from Appaloosa).
I'm going to ride western with her once she is backed later this year.
It seems to be getting more popular in the UK, perhaps because it has a much more relaxed feel about it.
I can't wait to get riding!:D

[Zip_n_Prin]

Originally posted by Outrider
cappyneil, it is interesting that you mention a TW. I am riding a TW for a guy right now and when I try to get him into a lope, it seems like the front end is trying to cooperate, but the back end continues to trot! Is that what yours is doing? He is a great ride and has a fast trot you could ride all day that really covers ground!


I own a walking horse mare, and like to think i know a lot about gaited horses because they are my favorites:D !
To be honest, a lot of walking horses were never trained to canter, especially ones that were used in the Walking Horse Curcit. This "trot" you are trying to explain is most likely the rack. It takes a lot of knowlegdge to get an older walker that has already been trained to canter. Mine was always used in the Walking horse shows, so she didnt know how to canted when i got her, but by luck one day out on the trails, I randomly decided to ask her for it and she did it:)

[denise42]

I alway ride western, even when I boarded at a jumper barn.
There were only 2 of us there that rode western when I first got there, then more western boardes came and some of the english riders tried it and soon it was about 50 %.:)

[Luv 2 Trot]

Been riding western for about a year and hav won about 12 ribbons so far. In MD. Of all places.

Luv 2 Trot

[utahcutter]

Hummingbird you sound like me. My dad sad I started riding as soon as I could sit and I'm 24 now. Never ridden anything but western though I do love to watch dressage and show jumping.

I can't remember who posted about using the TB x-racer to ride western but it could be done. You'll probably have to spend a good amount of time teach him to slow down though. My dad ran quarter racehorses all while I was growing up, many of them turned into good western horses. (and hint hint, many of them had a good share of TB blood in them.) My favorite saying is that the only time TB blood hurts a QH is when he doesn't have any.

[Luv 2 Trot]

yea. My western horse is a TB QH cross. He isnt very fast or very slow.

[*MiRi*]

i rode western 2 years ago. I found it really uncomfy and i couldnt get used to how you hold the reins!! it was gd fun though :p
xox

[Walkerlover]

Hi I ride western and I am a beginner.

[PridesAngel03]

Originally posted by JackiAH
Alright- I've started riding western (dabbling in it) about... oh... 6 months ago. In the last few, however, I have become WAY more serious about it, and instead of my first show being the afore-planned Short Stirrup, I'll be showing in the Walk/Jog 13 and under! I'm in Davie-ish Florida!

And a thing about QH's- I have a horse to prove that the Quarter Horse is truly versatile, and his name is Pal. He- was in the Regional Dressage Championships, can jump 4'6 easy, has the perfect Saddle-Seat trot, can do a Sliding Stop and various Reining er... techniques, was a Team Roping and All Around Rodeo Pony, and now is showing Western Pleasure with a 12 year old.

Did I mention that he was abused? And he stands at 14 hands high?

Talk about dynamite in a small package... *grins at OutRider*

-Jacki

Arabs can do all that too. Arabs are very VERY versitile. And crossing the Arab and QH makes an AWESOME and VERSITILE mount. Gotta love the Arabs and QH's AND Paints and Pintos!

;)

[lexus82291]

I've ridden western for 10yrs.I live in Minor Hill,TN.I ride a quater/thorobred.I am training a 2 yr old quarter.I love quarter horses.They're one of the most versatile breeds.I barrel race on mine.

[runaked]

hmmmi have been riding for... lets see...
(great i have to do math for this now...)

im 15 been riding since i was 4... ahh i know!!!
4+?=15 so the awnser is... ba ba ba bum...
11 years! but not counting this year it would be around 10ish years...

i just started english this year

i like western alot but who knows maybe i will like englsh too!

[Cammie]

Heya. :) I ride Western and have been for about 7 years now. When I had a pony she did Barrels, Poles, and Western Pleasure classes-even though she didn't keep her head level. And after that I showed people's horses for them just in the Pleasure classes. Barrels are fun and exciting, but there's something about the competition in Western Pleasure that's addictive :) As for where I'm from, I'm from Alabama :)

[Luv 2 Trot]

Hey Cammie,
I've wanted to do barrels and poles. It looks like loads of fun. I luv showing in the Pleasure Classes. There are some competitive people in those classes. How did u stick with western for so long? I have trouble sticking to one dicipline

[buffy_vampire]

I have ridden western all my life. It is very fun. im from Arkansas. Its really neat cause there are many many many many trails to go on but we have a special place where we ride poles, barrels, etc.

[janet hakeney]

I now ride western on my Lusitano stud. He is 10yrs old and during his time has show jumped and competed in dressage riding English. I have had him in western for about a year now and he has been placed in trail and reining classes. I always get amazed reactions from the crowd when he does his lap of honour at the western show in piaffe, passage and Spanish walk wearing all his western tack.

[Amanda Hurd]

I have never ridden english, it's always been western for me and I've been riding for 11 years now. I'm a cowgirl and I gladly admit it! There's nothing like cowboy boots and cowboy hats! Country music is a must, but not this new crap, I like old stuff from Merle Haggard, George Strait, George Jones, Randy Travis, etc...

[cowgirl4life]

well I've been riding western for about like 2 yrs... I looooooooooove barrel racing!!!!!! It's soooooooooo much fun!!! My horse is a Quarter horse Morgan x and he loves going fast like me lol! He's 14.3 hands but faster than a Thoroughbred lol! :p Well I also like riding english... jumping and dressage are my things! lol! well could anyone give me some tips on Western Pleasure? I'd really like to try it next summer but I don't have alot of experience in the slow area of riding lol! fast is my stuff but I'd like trying slow a bit... o ya and Im from Bathurst New Brunswick Canada k? toodles

[alliecatalex]

I ride Western! I have been doing so for...well my whole life...okay about 8 years, I am 17. I love speed-gaming, and barrel racing, but I dont show....I wish! I have a Paint gelding. He is a lovely western pleasure horse, he has such a lovely show lope (he was shown western pleasure for a couple of years), so he isent that great at barrel racing yet, but he is getting there.

But I also ride english a lot too, it really just depends on what horse I am riding. When riding other peoples horses, which I do a lot, I tend to ride then english, but with my gelding TJ I always ride him western.

[MI Horsey]

I rode english ,dressage and huntseat , until last december .I had a bad fall and because I liked the idea of the horn to grab and the nice big stirrups ,I switched to western. My balance is better now and I have my confidence back but I think I will stay with western.Maybe get a nice western pleasure horse and start showing someday.And no , I am not saying that western is easier at all !!!! I know it's not,heck I suck at neckreigning still .

[Mossy]

Welcome back. I have not seen your name on the board for ages, or have I not been looking properly?

[smaggi]

I trail ride in western gear, but this year I am going to start doing some cow work for fun with my horse Cisco. I can't wait to try it.

[Sunshine*]

Hey!!

I've been riding for 20yrs in October. I fiddeled with English lessons and jumped for a while, but found it WAY to strict and boring for my likes. I was also riding western at the time. I love it... it's so relaxing.

I'm a first time horse owner, and my 3yo gelding and I are in the midst of neck-rein training and barrel training. We have our first show coming up on Saturday at a small town fair.

I'm from Sauble Beach, Ontario, Canada but am attending school in Kitchener Ontario.. so I'm not too far from you HunterGirl!! I used to have roomies from Brantford!

[leviskipperette]

oh wow, this was a really old thread :D i ride western too, i used to ride english until my lesson horse foundered so i started riding my neighbors horse and she was western, that was about 5 or 6 years ago, havent switched back. usually i dotn bother to use a saddle so i guess i ride bareback more than western, but i dont own a english saddle, and i show western.

-meg

[BennyB]

I guess I ride western, everyone here does. I have never seen an english saddle cept in pictures and on tv.

[Spaz]

I have been riding western since I was...hmm...about 11 years of age..I am currently 13..but don't let my age fool you ;) ! I live in Georgia (the state that is) and I have my own horse, a 10 year old Appaloosa gelding. He has the build of a 15 hand quarter horse, but the legs of a pony :rolleyes: , mkaing him 14.2 hands. I have never tried riding English but I hope to get the chance to enjoy the experience one of these days...C'mon..if you live in Georgia, you gotta know how to ride like the rednecks!! :D

[Waikato Valuta]

I have been told I am going to start ridding western. and I’m really looking forward to it.

My friend has a QH stallion she wants competed in western pleasure, and I have been asked to do it. Very exciting since I have never ridden a stallion before.

I have had two practice rides and we will be competing at the end of this month. He is a stunning big black boy. The practice rides were so exciting, he is really well trained at least compared to my horses standards. He does the jog and lope perfectly and is so responsive.

I'm actually nervous about competing and being looked at by all those people when I have only been ridding western a few times. But it should be fun anyway.

[horse_lady43]

hi ive been doing western riding for about 10 mths haveing ridden english for 39 yrs ,i love it and so does my horse, we r hoping to compete next yr, if i can find a trainer,ive brought a western saddle for my pony so my grandchildren can learn,they love it cos they feel safe.

[Roseanne]

I learned to ride Western in Bodium, East Sussex and loved it, but it's quite a long way to go from where I live. I tried it with my mare and she took to it amazingly quickly. It does seem a much more relaxed way of riding and I don't get tense, because she doesn't.

She has never liked a strong contact, or the "correct" contact if you like, but she is very responsive from my leg and seat, so now I'm riding her again after quite a long break, and have just ordered a Western bridle. Hopefully, she will respond as she did before we both went "lame" :) and lose some of the stubbornness of the past, riding English in the school.

Roseanne

[Greentchr]

I ride western in an Aussie saddle- more comfortable for both me and the horses! Although, to be sure, I have sat in a western saddle that was as comfortable as my couch! Had a rather high price tag... :)

I have been riding for 1 year, first time horse owner, have a QH/appy cross and an arab mare. Love them both.

[Blair Witch]

I'm from NB Canada and have been riding Western for the past 4 years.

[Freedoms_Girl]

I ride western, and am 14 now, and my dad first put me on a horse western when i was six months, then we got that horse from my grandpa, and after he passed on, we got another one as payment for training his brother when I was 3, and we still have him, and at 6 I got my very own miniature, who is now 12, and I've been riding western ever since, and the saying, "when you fall of, get back on" has been very true all these yrs...lol its like a law that me and my sis have had to follow since we've never been hurt bad enuf we couldnt get back on...lol. I have to say that my sis likes english, but I couldnt ever get the hang of posting, etc. lol. and Now I have a 5 yr old AQHA roan gelding, Freedom (AKA) Booger, who likes wester better than english...and bareback with a rope around his neck better than anything....lol :)

[8seconds]

Western is definitely a favourite in my books! I was English for 4 years of my riding, and then I have been western for 2 years. I love western for its reining, barrels, and poles. I think western is more relaxed than English. I'm not disagreeing with English at all, because sometimes I still grab the old English saddle, blow the dust off, and take the pony out for a English ride. He enjoys himself, as do I! I use to be hardcore dressage, but I figured I love speed as does both my geldings!! Reining is the Western Dressage;)

[Just.Jump]

I'm in Alberta, Canada, and I've been riding western for about 6 years now, loving it all the time =)