Just of personal interest...

[Cochise]

I've noticed more and more people becoming curious about western riding, myself included. Or maybe it's just since I've started hanging out with more western riders?
And now, lately, I see more people, myself included, either enquiring about western, or starting western.
So I thought I'd run a poll. This is for everyone! :D

If you do vote, feel free to elaborate! Or if there is an option that isn't included on the poll, but matches you...

[CurlyWurlyRach]

id love to have a go at western, it looks really relaxed and thesaddles have nice deep seats :D

[Shadowlark]

umm what if one is converted from english but still respects it.. LOL I wouldn't say western is the only way to go.. but.. can't see myself in an english saddle again anytime in the near future.. Oh HECK WESTERN ALL THE WAY@!

YEEE HAWWWWWW

[Cochise]

Hehehe Shadowlark! I just wish my horse agreed with a treed western saddle! Eventually, when I get my second horse..... :D
CurlyWurlyRach, I love going up to my friend's station, he always puts a western saddle on his horse for me to go for a massive ride!

[coss]

my arab mare was 1st trained to do a bit of western and when i was younger (9/10) i could get her to turn really tightly without practice as she was younger and her mouth is so soft she would just do it. She is now much stiffer (partly due to me not correctly schooling for a while - i didn't understand, mainly because she's 29) but she did endurance races for most of her life. I was told by her previous owner that she could do flying changes (because of the western) and she could do sliding stops :eek: i don't think i'll try that :D I would love to try barrel racing but they look a bit motor bikey. I had a fall when dawn (above horse) motor biked slightly in a field and slipped on sheep muck. We both went down hence my slight concern.
I like the fact that the trot is smoother, one thing that has really stayed with my mare (unless she does her medium trot :D)

[No_Angel]

ive always ridden english, but starting to stock up onthe western things, got my western bridle and bosal and looking for my western saddle:D

[Shadowlark]

Hehehe Shadowlark! I just wish my horse agreed with a treed western saddle! Eventually, when I get my second horse..... :D
CurlyWurlyRach, I love going up to my friend's station, he always puts a western saddle on his horse for me to go for a massive ride!

Who says you have to ride treed?!?

There are several treeless western options, I ride a Hilason treeless barrel saddle. I have friends with Bob marshalls and circle Y's also! There are several options available to us - and the best part? Other then roping.. you can compete in anything treeless.

[Cochise]

Shadowlark, I'm definitely going to try a treeless saddle, they are just very few and far between here, and the one's that are here are incredibly ugly and three times what I paid for my horse!
When I'm in the States next year, I'm going to have a good look around at treeless westerns. :)

Coss, I have barrel raced.... in my English saddle! :D *Let's all take a little trip down memory lane....*
Alright, back to February 2005....
Cheeky's first attempt at barrel racing...
Right, round the first barrel, ooh nice brakes!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/smaugthegreat/Mainland%20show%2005/Cnv0005.jpg
Alright! Off to the next barrel! Even got the flying change for once! Whoops, over shot a bit!! Debbie's not even holding the mane! Wheeee!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/smaugthegreat/Mainland%20show%2005/Cnv0007.jpg
Okay! Stay on this lead, and off to the last barrel!! Nice!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/smaugthegreat/Mainland%20show%2005/Cnv0006.jpg
Alright!!! Homestretch! Get some speeeeeeed on! Debbie stupidly kicks Cheeky in his tickly spot, and WHOOPS!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/smaugthegreat/Mainland%20show%2005/Cnv0001.jpg
It's not the barrels that's the hard part! It's when the rider gets a bit over zealous! :D

[Shadowlark]

ROTFLMAO!!!!

Thank you SOO much for sharing that moment!!

[coss]

the closest ive got to barrel racing is when i found three crows feathers sticking out the ground in a rough triangular shape (i was very young!) and when we have baled hay, if the ground isn't too firm and the hay bales are in a rough triangle, at least that gives something for the horse to bend round, feathers really don't work :D

[Cochise]

Hehehehe! You're more than welcome Shadowlark! If you can't laugh at yourself... :D

[Dreamchaser]

I love to ride western here and there! I actually have really considered buying a western saddle (really considered= would if I had a large amount of cash just laying around!). Dolly was originally a western horse, so it would be fun to try some stuff with her!

[Shadowlark]

fair is fair..

Last year I was running poles and Splash lost his footing and fell sideways into the dirt *BOOM* somehow thru a miracle I stayed on him.. as he pulled himself and me back up I was leaned forward stirrupless laughing and patting his neck. I turned to tell my buddy who had jumped the wall to come be sure we were OK that I was just fine... Splash did a FULL body shake tossing the dust and a still laughing me back to the ground!! Spraining my wrist and ending my weekend a little early.

[bexj]

Great pics Debs!:D

I voted that I ride English, but am curious about Western, but in reality curious is not a strong enough word. I've ridden Western regularly, help out on a Western tack stand at western shows, livery on a predominantly western yard and am beginning to learn some Western schooling methods. If I had a spare £1k I'd buy a decent Western saddle like a shot!

[raingodz]

I voted that I ride English, but am curious about Western because it was not an option that said "Started english, really likes western but still likes jumping so trying to do both!"

I am supprised at how many english riders are interested when I talk about western riding, it does seem to be growing in popularity.

[Keket]

There's not proper option for me, unfortunately. I started out Western due to sitting in an English saddle once and being overcome by the feeling of nearly falling over sideways. After I had a better seat, I went English for a bit. I do both now, but I do ride in my Western saddle more due to the fact that I'm riding green and very green horses, and it affords me more stability on a highly unpredictable horse. On a better trained horse though, I ride, and enjoy, both disciplines. :)

That said, I took dressage lessons in Spain in May and loved it. When I applied to Old's College, I applied for the English horsemanship program instead of the Western, so I'll be riding strictly English for about two years, except for maybe showing Coquette when I'm home for the summer, and she's basically a Western horse that does English on the side. Topaz, though is showing she prefers being ridden on a shorter rein with a contact and has nice paces and will probably do well in English disciplines, so if I want to show her, it will be on with the velvet cap and jods!

To sum up my essay: I like and respect both. There's aspects of both that I like and I'd feel restricted if I had to limit it to one or the other.

[Cochise]

Thanks Bexj! :D It sounds like you're really quite involved in the western scene over in the UK! And you have a very lovely "English" cob! (True cobs are VERY few and far between here).
Rich, I sort of thought of you when I posted this thread and poll, I've been following your western lesson posts with interest!
Keket, thanks for replying! I didn't think I'd covered everyone with the poll, thanks for sharing your experiences. :)

[xXSundanceBayXx]

although ive never tried western im not particularly bothered about it either :p like my english ways hehe :D

[Hannah.Horsie]

i can't decide which one because i mainly ride english but also love western:confused:

[Cochise]

Sundance Bay, I always said the same thing... But I've been riding English for 15 years and done all I've wanted to accomplish! Time for a new challenge I think. ;)
Hannah.Horsie, that's the beauty of riding, you don't really have to choose! :)

[levi1739]

Loved those pics Cochise. Brought back memories of my wife's barrel racing experience. :D That's a pretty Appy that your riding. Is he registered?

I'm just a trail rider, but I try to have horses that ride in the "western" style. I'm a fan of reining and cowhorse classes but I do enjoy watching horses in any discipline. My vote is for western but it's hard to say that's what I do. I just like to "play with em", in whatever manner is available.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/levi1739/111.jpg


Have fun, be safe

Jack

[julia gulia]

Shadowlark, I'm definitely going to try a treeless saddle, they are just very few and far between here, and the one's that are here are incredibly ugly and three times what I paid for my horse!
When I'm in the States next year, I'm going to have a good look around at treeless westerns. :)

Coss, I have barrel raced.... in my English saddle! :D *Let's all take a little trip down memory lane....*
Alright, back to February 2005....
Cheeky's first attempt at barrel racing...
Right, round the first barrel, ooh nice brakes!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/smaugthegreat/Mainland%20show%2005/Cnv0005.jpg
Alright! Off to the next barrel! Even got the flying change for once! Whoops, over shot a bit!! Debbie's not even holding the mane! Wheeee!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/smaugthegreat/Mainland%20show%2005/Cnv0007.jpg
Okay! Stay on this lead, and off to the last barrel!! Nice!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/smaugthegreat/Mainland%20show%2005/Cnv0006.jpg
Alright!!! Homestretch! Get some speeeeeeed on! Debbie stupidly kicks Cheeky in his tickly spot, and WHOOPS!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/smaugthegreat/Mainland%20show%2005/Cnv0001.jpg
It's not the barrels that's the hard part! It's when the rider gets a bit over zealous! :D

Oh Cochise......this so made me laugh:p :p :p

[Gracie]

Cochise that picture was priceless...:D :D :D

I voted for strictly english.

When I had Gracie I bought a western saddle, and I just don't feel right in it. I feel so distant from the horse, and I feel less secure, even though most people its opposite.

I am not so interested in western, but who knows, I went through a phase when I was REALLY interested, but I think my heart is with english!

[Skib]

The poll doesnt cover Raingodz and me. I live in the UK, ride English here, but am more than just curious about western. I ride it when I get the chance - and trail riding in the USA. Have a lesson when I get the chance.
Pity there is no Western teacher in Surrey on your list, cvb.

[jUmPingIsLifE]

I would LOVE to try reining. It fasinates me. How responsive and light the horses are to the riders invisable cues (much like dressage which I am also getting in too) I ride western at the 4H shows I go to for overall points and Took some western lessons when I was a kid. Mostly though I am an english rider just curious about learning more western (reining mostly).

[chev]

I ride English but would like to have Western lessons. Problem here is not having any Western instructors within easy reach. :rolleyes:

[Whatanejit]

I'm English but Western Curious.

I have ridden Western on a trail ride in Canada which was fun but I think I still did rising trot:rolleyes:

I'm hoping to do a Western Experience day for my 40th Birthday next year. There are a few advertised in the horsey mags and it looks like great fun.

It is great to try new stuff. My friend was getting a little bored recently and went off and booked a side saddle lesson. She was even jumping side saddle by the end of the day:)

Not sure I am ready for that yet, though.

Loved those pics Cochise!!

[stormy's mum]

im very much English did western a few times but im more dressage and jumping

[Cochise]

. Brought back memories of my wife's barrel racing experience. That's a pretty Appy that your riding. Is he registered?
levi, I'm guessing that the barrel racing didn't go so well for your wife either? :p
Thanks, that's my wee Cheeky horse, he's 11 and registered with ApHANZ, which is the NZ Appaloosa association, which is under the Appaloosa Horse Club. :) If you were to classify him, he's be something like a G grade or something, his sire was half TB and his dam was a bitser, but recogniseable as an ID mare. I think we have the first B grades in this country now! My friend is a breeder and aiming to have pure A grade Appies!

When I had Gracie I bought a western saddle, and I just don't feel right in it. I feel so distant from the horse, and I feel less secure, even though most people its opposite.
That's an interesting point! But even in different English saddles, I get a different ride. Like on Woody, I'll feel closer to the horse in the Bates, but when I'd get into my Wintec 500 dressage on Cheeky, I'd feel perched! I'm really looking forward to trying a treeless. :)
The poll doesnt cover Raingodz and me. I live in the UK, ride English here, but am more than just curious about western. I ride it when I get the chance - and trail riding in the USA. Have a lesson when I get the chance.

Hmm, maybe I should have included a section for "I dabble in both here and there."
I ride western at the 4H shows I go to for overall points and Took some western lessons when I was a kid. Mostly though I am an english rider just curious about learning more western (reining mostly).
Nikki, you sound like me! We have alot of high points shows here, and I'm usually found having a go at most stuff. Some shows run both Western and English, so if there's a class I feel confident Cheeky and I can do, we'll try the western saddle and have a go around. We even won the adult walk trot class once! :D Or lately, I tried my hand at hunt seat equitation and won the rookie rider. That's a westerny class, it was at a western show! :D

I ride English but would like to have Western lessons. Problem here is not having any Western instructors within easy reach.
It's the same down here. If you look at www.westernriding.co.nz they have a list of trainers available. Heaps in the North Island, but only about 3 in the South Island (where I am) and even then, those 3 are all about a 3 to 6 hour drive from me!
I have ridden Western on a trail ride in Canada which was fun but I think I still did rising trot

I'm hoping to do a Western Experience day for my 40th Birthday next year. There are a few advertised in the horsey mags and it looks like great fun.

It is great to try new stuff. My friend was getting a little bored recently and went off and booked a side saddle lesson. She was even jumping side saddle by the end of the day

Not sure I am ready for that yet, though.
I agree, it's always good to branch out! And don't worry, I'm guilty of rising to the trot if on a long trail ride on my friend's horses! He does it too, so I can't feel too bad... ;)
Sidesaddle! Awesome, ok that's something I need to really try! My costume classes this year didn't really count! And jumping sidesaddle after one day... whoah!
Thanks for the input everyone! It's quite interesting to hear of everyone's thoughts on trying new stuff! :)

[Gracie]

_______________________________________________________________
That's an interesting point! But even in different English saddles, I get a different ride. Like on Woody, I'll feel closer to the horse in the Bates, but when I'd get into my Wintec 500 dressage on Cheeky, I'd feel perched! I'm really looking forward to trying a treeless.
________________________________________________________________

I've never tried a dressage saddle, I wonder if I would feel less secure in that? I've always really wanted one!

I feel best in my own personal english saddle, or my YO's Stubben which I feel very secure in also!

[KarinUS]

* I am an English rider but when I am lazy I ride Western

;) Riding DJ feels like driving a standard transmission car. Riding Bixby is like driving an automatic.

And speaking of saddles: riding Western I really prefer the Torsion treeless or bareback over the Western saddle. It's just too much saddle for me. I get claustrophobic and feel like I am trapped up there...

[Dina]

I ride english but I really want to have a go at western:)

[Bronya]

I ride English, but my OH got interested in western riding after ending up with only one functional arm when riding. Sunny loved it, and last night I had a go on Mysti and really enjoyed it. So did she. At the moment I'm on the fence. The more dressage we do the harder it is (naturally!), but also the less Mysti is really enjoying it, and up 'till we started aiming higher, she loved her schooling. Now she's not so impressed, she loves lateral work and walk, trot, canter in a decent outline, but hates trying to properly extend or collect. I think she doesn't see the point, and sometimes neither do I :confused: . Yesterday I had a go at riding her in a western frame, and we had fun doing jog and lope. She really enjoyed herself. She loves jumping though, and I doubt I'd stop riding English, but maybe for the training part we'll do a little of both.

[horse_crazy]

I do both!

[Jessey]

Not really a choice for me there, I started out english but swapped to western nearly 10 years ago :D
Bo did both but is now mostly focussing on dressage, Jess is doing solely western at the moment and that will remain her focus but later she will be started english too :D
So I do both, all the time - ;) have a horse for each ;) :D

[Shadowlark]

LOL and for the record We DO rise the Trot.. we sit the jog ;)

[mommadog1956]

i voted western all the way, because here in Kansas, thats pretty much all we did when i started riding back in the 60's.

surrounded by feedlots, cattle ranches, and quarter horse farms, thats how people ride. ;) as a kid and teenager, i rode in western pleasure classes, along with barrel racing, pole bending, flags, and all those other "games" that people did in the fun shows and rodeos.

i've always been fascinated by jumpers and the english style but am too much a coward to ever try them. :o although, my old gelding i use to have, would jump every little depression he came to. i thought i was quite the jumper. :D

my mother dabbled in english (dressage) for a short time in the early 70's, but since there was very little opportunity to use her skills and the style, she quit and went back to western.

funny, i have great respect for anyone that can stay mounted on those funny little english saddles. :D i sure couldn't.:o

[Jessey]

funny, i have great respect for anyone that can stay mounted on those funny little english saddles. i sure couldn't
Funny you say that, I 'broke' my OH to western first, on his first english ride he hopped on board then went for the horn to steady himself (still in the early stages of his riding) and fell right off the other side :o no, no I didn't nearly fall off my own horse laughing :D really, I didn't :o

[mommadog1956]

LOL

thats exactly what i mean!!! i steady myself with the horn quite often, and on turns around barrels, i hold onto the cantle. (maybe not proper, but thats what i do). my mare is still in the early stages of training and occasionally she will rear up when she doesn't want to do something, so naturally i grab the horn to hold on. what would i grab on an english saddle?????

[Tonka]

I have tried western riding at http://www.westernridingadventures.co.uk/horse_riding_about_rocky.htm they are in the north west uk...

I found it great, and I felt incredible safe. I can be quite nervous when riding a new horse but I was so confident and enjoyed the gallops we did to!

I found it so different in the way you have a looser contact.. Took a while to grasp that if I tensed up..pulled up on reins I got the opposite effect!..I sat back..relaxed and really enjoyed the exprience.

HOWEVER!!!! when it came to dismounting I got my t-shirt caught on the horn and lifted it over my head :o :o :o

I rode a lovely cob called Logan who was fantastic !

I would certainly consider buying a western sadde!

[Shadowlark]

HAHAHA

I have done in 3 hoodies on my horn (ripped the pockets off) and saw one woman get a bra strap hung up.. I don't have a FLIPPING clue how she did it tho!

[mommadog1956]

wonder what the heck she was doing on that horse, that she got her bra strap hung up. all kinds of images are floating through my mind right now.......

[Jessey]

My friend managed to get the front strap of her chaps hitched on the horn - she was left hanging there, screaming with laughter and little legs kicking fresh air :D

[FRED]

I did some in Canada ridding fjords and quarter horse, but here in the UK found the few western ridding schools I could find were 6 months waiting for lessons! and to cap that off, the weight limit was 12.5 stone at the best place and 13 at another...no chance of me getting near that,so that was it.

I wrote 3 times to the President of the Western Society in England and she suggested I visit some western shows and talk to owners{apparently some riders have so many horses they are desperate for riders to help exercise their horse,but....at the show my 14 year old nephew shouted at a rider during judging"stop kicking that horse", the president of the western society was in front of us judging...}
To be honest I was so embarrassed even though my nephew was right... you could have heard a pin drop ..she looked over her glasses and glared at us, so I have never pursued my dream.

[ImaLittleBoston]

I ride both equally, But I said western rider curious about english, because I started western, and seemed to learn quicker under that disapline, I found starting enlgish there was so much more to learn. but my all around favorite..


BAREBACK! forwards ANDD backwards, not to mention laying down (on a safe horse) heres my walk down memory lane this summer..
BAT SKILLS! *wth is mum doing? how come shes stearing me EVERYWERE?!"
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m311/harnisk1/DSCF0049.jpg
*bow chicka wow wow*
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m311/harnisk1/DSCF0053.jpg
*nooo! you cant make me!!*
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m311/harnisk1/DSCF0040.jpg

aaannd, because im cool like this..
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m311/harnisk1/DSCF0052.jpg
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m311/harnisk1/DSCF0037.jpg

you've gotta admit, bareback is awesome, if your horse isnt rough as heck, bouncy, and short strided *ahem* sassy.

[mommadog1956]

really cool pics. i remember when i could do that on my old gelding. he was so good!!! kinda looked like yours, but a little more cream colored.

hopefully, some day, my mare will be that calm.

[ImaLittleBoston]

Yeah, Zack is/was a real sweetheart, He was boarded here, and while I was riding him, She got free board (sweet deal me thinks :)) He just went up to the same farm my old horse did. Apparently they remember each other ;)

[MelanieD]

I learnt english and have always been an english rider apart from occasionally having a western saddle when there weren't enough english saddles to go around on big group hacks. But recently had a go on a well trained and sensitive western horsie and now keep watching fatty bouncing around and doing spins (to aim her big a*se at other horses usually) and thinking she'd make a nice western pony.

[Nik-n-Kia]

Had a go once but I don't think that the horse not being used to western at the time was a good idea especially when I had never ridden that way.

I would love to have a go on a horse that knew *** it *** doing in that sense.

think it looks comfy and I ride Kia without a saddle sometimes so maybe it would be nice.

Out of curiosity does anyone know if a western saddle is just like a bareback pad?? Comfort wise i mean with the stirrups and everything???

Am I confusing you's as much as I'm confusing myself????

Nikki xxxxx

[Miriam]

Can't really vote as I dont think western is the only way to go. Up here its difficult to find a western riding instructor. However I do love western riding and do feel that it was the first step to gaining my confidence in riding where as before driving was my passion and I hated riding. Now I'm cantering, jumping a little and want to do dressage.

[qhlady]

hi all, just a quick one, I wondered which society you contacted? And where the show was that your nephew had to shout at one of the riders? Only reason I am asking is western done well... you shouldn't feel the need to tell somebody to stop kicking... western riders dont "kick"... however... I know of one association in the UK, that... well... to put it politley... they show the general public all that we "real" western riders try to tell people we are NOT all about... big spurs, big bits, horses heads in the air, it's horrific and a mess and I hate it.

In all my years in theis country, and competing in all disciplines, I know ther is good and bad, but these people, and the few that call themselves "instructors" should be strung up with their own shanked and ported bits stuck where the sun doesn't shine and spured in roughly the same area!

Incidently, I ride in a ported shanked bit and with spurs... but not like they do!

You may not want or be able to give the name of the association, but if they were a breed society... you should have been alright, if they were "equestrian's" most places - you should have been ok, but not all... and if they were "horsemen", well you and your horse should high tail it out of there!

Let me know where you are and I should be able to point you in a better or more helpful direction.

Please don't be discouraged.

[Jessey]

you shouldn't feel the need to tell somebody to stop kicking
This I quite agree with :D
western riders dont "kick"...
This I think should be adjusted to Western Pleasure riders don't kick - if you have watched barrels/poles - yes, they do kick - the hope is that these people are skilled enough with spurs to disengage them when they kick.
big spurs, big bits, horses heads in the air
Again, often seen in speed events with even breed societies!
I know of one association in the UK
Sadly I think I may know who you are referring to, though there is definatly more than one association that works like this :(
I ride under WES and the WHA (will AQHA UK when my baby is a bit older) and certainly that sort of behaviour is not encouraged, though, as with all associations there are often bad apples in the barrel.
and if they were "horsemen", well you and your horse should high tail it out of there!
;) are you implying what I think you are? - bad horsemanship is certainly not encouraged - If you feel you see it then report it to the Assc secreatary - I know for one she will not stand for it.
J x

[qhlady]

Uh oh... here we go!

This wasn't exactly what I meant to start, but ok...

Western Riders and I meant all of em... are supposed to need the slightest touch from spur, or calf, and/or a subtle shift in body weight to convey changes of pace/direction etc... So - sorry, but it's not just pleasure competitors.

Please don't take offense at this next comment, but... WHA games riders are not a standard to be aspiring too.... can chasers etc in the US, they tend, not all, but most tend to wear bumper spurs, not jingle bobs etc as you'll find the majority of the WHA riders wearing. Bumper spurs are considerably less liable to cause damage when the riders are pushing for the extra bit on the home straight... as they do, no doubt and yes indeed they kick. As do ropers and so on... but I am talking equitation as opposed to games/working classes.

So tell me, if you were telling somebody how beautiful English riding could be, i.e. Grand Prix dressage, when done as it should be... then the person you were telling this to, assumed English was English, and went to watch the Prince Phillip Cup games... would you really want them all thrown in the same barrel? I sure hope not. Because, efficient or not, no pony clubber will ever bring tears to my eyes as Carl Hester on Escapado did, or some other stunning partnership, and I feel the same about western. Be it pleasure, or trail, horsemanship or reining... it should be a seamless partnership not a kick and jerk fest.

I was born and raised in the USA, I have seen it all done right, and all done wrong, and I am sorry, but the majority, NOT all, but MOST... of the gamers here are an embarrassment to the sport.

Somebody did a barrel and reining demo near here in the summer... at a very crowded country fair... I walked away in shame. I was appalled, and it does our sport no good at all that these people tout themselves as the genuine article. I know what club this person belongs to, and it’s not WES or AQHAUK… oddly… neither will have her?! Allegedly… though from a reliable source.;)

A program for children shown on CBBC during the summer had a "genuine" cowboy ... from Essex :rolleyes: I think... giving the kids at an English riding school lessons... I wrote to the BBC in disgust. His position was wrong. His tack fit badly. Even the way he taught these kids to stop, go and to turn the barrels… wrong- wrong and wrong again. And I know him... and I know his "standing" and I know it's rubbish. Sorry but it really is.

It's not right, and with our UK reining team fighting for some sort of recognition and legitamacy, and the UK youth team that travel the world competing... we're trying to get the reining in the Olympics for 2012... this is publicity we do not need... this makes us laughing stocks, and believe me... to a large portion of the UK... we are already amusing enough with out showing off poorly fitting tack on hulking great hairy beasties that are totally out of control, and ridden by people in poor quality line dancing boots and hats... oh boy here I go... Ok. Muzzle back on now. And breathe…

Before the furor hits I better point out, I am not against hobby riders, I am not against hairy beasties... I am against the people that make the saying "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing" a way of life.

Too many people in this country think western riding is all flash saddle and neck reining... bingo you’re riding western. Too many people do not put the endless hours of training, and groundwork into their horses to get that desired attitude and obedience to the voice, to the weight aids etc.

The tack over here is on the whole, cheap and nasty, although there are slowly more good western tack shops opening, not all but some... and many so called saddle fitters, well they may have the accent, but not all have the knowledge. Some good western shops have closed. Some just disappeared.:confused:

If you can show me more then a handful of western riders that are gaming in this country that are skilled enough to not use their spurs when riding on the rail... let a lone in a tense adrenaline charged run... then I will eat my hat.:o

At present I only show AQHA but now my youngster is old enough I will be showing at some WES shows. I had given up membership of WES as it did not support games and working events, which I believe are the original roots of western... AQHA UK now has more forward thinking council members and these events are starting to trickle in over here... I was a member of WHA for a while as I love cattle classes, and every little girl wants to be a barrel racer... but I could not continue my support of a club so h*ll bent on yee hawing around the country with no interest in pursuing the skill that western riders should be able to show, whilst working, running barrels, or jogging down the rail. Heck... even on a hack. A western horse should be the epitome of a quiet, well trained horse, as near to bomb proof as you can get, with four wheel drive and power steering to boot. Any breed can do it with the right training. But it's not just not any rider that is capable of that.

I am really sorry that somebody's post has been corrupted like this, I only wanted a person new to western to know that because they had one rough experience they should keep trying as there are plenty of us out here that want our sport to succeed in what is essentially an incredibly stuffy and biased country.

I think I have covered all points… oh, and before I say “I am implying nothing, only stating facts as I see them”… I better be sure what it is you think I am implying?! :D

Till the next rant,:p

[Jessey]

Will PM you :D save disolving this thread any more :p

[FRED]

4 or 5 years ago I watched Joe Glow a Appaloosa stallion and his rider/owner at a demo{western riding and reining} it still remains the most beautiful demo of riding I have ever seen.:)

Only one rider resorted to kicking at another show{perhaps I should have mentioned this because it was not my intention to cause any malice etc}.It was the 'western pleasure class' the horse shied at a make shift bridge and refused to move.The rider got tuff and no doubt thought after all the expense of getting there, the horse will cross the bridge.He didn't and became very agitated. I think the total silence when the rider was disqualified was a different way of shouting disapproval. .
My nephew is usually very quiet and I was surprised he stood up and shouted especially with the judges sat infront.There was an elderly gentleman near by,he came over to us and chatted about the rider and horse, saying 'its a classic example of to much to soon for the horse,they would have been better working and training from the ground rather than showing'.

While at the western riding centre in Canada the owners told me that they found a high number of English style riders had difficulty working on a loose rein.

Now,I'm hoping not to be hijacking Cochise thread,I have seen western shows here in the UK where a rider and horse were clearly very good, yet get no where in the judging.Puzzled by this I asked the elderly gentleman who seemed very knowledgeable, he said 'the problem is, that horse isn't a Quarter horse or Appaloosa,there not going to be placed by these judges' the judging was very suspect I felt and disappointing too{a similar prejudice owners faced with coloured cobs in dressage events ?}

Anyway,if you know of somewhere in Staffordshire with western trained horses and they teach to,please PM me,Fred.

[jinglejoys]

'the problem is, that horse isn't a Quarter horse or Appaloosa,there not going to be placed by these judges'
Ah Well me and Malaga might as well pack up and go home!:D
(Actually I just want to learn to ride properly not win a rossette)

[qhlady]

Got five minutes spare so HI!

You were watching a trail class, pleasure has no obstacles, its just walk, jog, lope, reverse, walk jog lope, line up. Somewhere you do a back up... judges discretion whether in the line up or out on the rail.

Trail is one of my fav classes, but you really have to get your horse doing alot of homework... otherwise, they'll let you know they are not ready, usually in public! Mind you... sometimes, horses are just over sensitive... usually because they feel the riders nerves, and think "if your scared of it... why are we going near it?!" Then they decide for you, that your not! So, I would like to defend that rider in case they knew darn well the horse was just taking advantage...:o

It sounds like you were def watching WES or WHA as you wont get other breeds at AQHA shows, apart from in the reining, if it is NRHA classes... where you will see Joe Glow doing well!

These may not be the best for you to watch in terms of eduction... and seeing it done right. Some areas are better then others, but to really see international horses and impeccable turn out, you need the AQHA shows. Not saying there aren't a few nightmares there too, but thers def less. AQHA members have alot more to lose if a complaint is filed as they can face prosecution by the American parent association, get fined, get barred... etc.

I do know people around staffs, so I will get my map out and see who/what I can find. Whats the furthest north/south east/west you would travel?

Better run, but keep up your western! It's great!

[jumpingkatey]

I have ridden western in italy and plan to do it again

[Blair Witch]

Western is the only way to go! (Just Kidding :))

I respect all you English Riders :)

[Roheryn]

I ride English (dressage) in lessons and sometimes in between; on weekends I sometimes wear my jeans and western boots and my guy wears his western saddle. I also put the western saddle on him when I'm feeling insecure due to back pain, or when I want to try something new that I'm nervous about.

When I ride western I have to remember to tuck my shirt into my pants so I won't get hung up on the horn when I dismount (I have done this more times than is good but my guy just stand there waiting for me to "uncotch" myself (I got that from a Tammy movie). I have gone so far as revealing my bra to a riding companion in this way (completely by accident trying to get uncotched) but so far have never managed to get a bra strap hung up on the horn! :o

[horse_lady43]

hi i ride both,western and english,my horse maverick knows the diffrance between the two saddles,i compete in dressage and have just started to compete in western shows as well,my first show i got a 2nd,3rd,two 4ths and a 5th so i was well pleased, maverick prefers western,and so do i ,i only ride a couple of weeks in a dressage saddle before a show,riding western has helped maverick with his balance and self carraige,so i recommend it to any body .

[Cochise]

I know a lot of local riders who ride both English and Western. They actually train their horse in their western saddle most of the time, and they also do really well in the English classes. Probably not open county level A&P show level against the best hacks and park hacks etc, but they still do well in both disciplines. :)