English riding....the switch?

[CrazyfurAnimals]

As some of you know, I ride western. But lately, for some reason, I got the interest in English riding. I rode two of my first lessons in English, but I switched to Western.
Well, now I would like to switch to see if I feel more comfortable in the English saddle, but I'm worried that if I don't like it again, and go back to the Western saddle, my instructor will get all confused and upset. Please, could any of you give me some ideas. I'm still not sure if I should stick with Western or not. :confused:

[KarinUS]

what was the reason you switched in the first place? Did your instructor encourage you to switch? Does she prefer Western?
Does she teach both?
If she says, she teaches both, I am sure she won't get confused or upset. If you'd like to try English, please tell her. It doesn't have to be a one-time decision. I think you can always change your mind or even learn both if you like to.
If it was me I would spent some time learning one style of riding at a time. That's because I am old and confused ;). I just think it's easier to do Western for a while or do English rather than taking both lessons simultaneously. Have fun! :)

[CrazyfurAnimals]

Thanks Karin. Yes, my instructor does teach both English and Western. She wanted me to stick with English at first, because she said its good to stay with one style of riding until your absolutely sure you want to change. :o But I 'knew' I wanted to ride western. Maybe I still do, I'm not sure because I can't remember what english is exactly like.

[Maci]

Why not rotate weeks and styles? One week English, the next week Western. My friend rides English now, and she's thinking about doing Western on the side. Why not ask your instructor if just for one week, you could do english to "refresh you memory" on English riding?

Good Luck!
Maci :)

PS- About your Gymkhana games- the reason you signed up for it was to have fun and learn something new! So don't worry, relax, and do that! Forget about your brother! If he doesn't ride, chances are he won't be able to recognize if you "screw up". Which you won't, because at gymkhana's, having fun counts! ;) Go on, and do it!

[Joshua]

I'd stick with one mainly. If you've been riding more than a year or so then it could be fun to switch. If you've not been riding so long you could also get confused. Just remember you should do what you want to do. English showjumping is fun :D for example. Of course the instructor may get a little bit upset. But one type of riding is not necessarily better than the other and they are quite different and also the horses can be different.:rolleyes:

A horse is dangerous at both ends and uncomfortable in between;)