The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

Wanting to go back to English

2K views 12 replies 6 participants last post by  cpr saves 
#1 ·
Currently I ride Western but in my English saddle.

I've found that I'm wanting to go back to English more and more. Don't get me wrong, I like my Western barn and I love the way they treat their horses, but I really miss jumping and English. I'm pretty conflicted about ti because I've grown to be good friends with the people and owners of the Western barn but I feel like I can get farther in English. There are many English barns in my area, and I do like the one I got my half chaps at, but its kind of far away.

I help out with summer camps at my current barn, and I enjoy doing so. I just miss English riding. I feel like I could get farther in English. I enjoy English showing more, as in how it would be, instead of something just like rodeo or Western showing. I think I would enjoy English showing more.

I'm kind of afraid to talk to my parents about it, because she is also good friends with the barn owner at my current barn, and she likes how they do natural horsemanship. I used to do English, but it wasn't the best barn. The one I went to to get my half chaps last week was much better.

I just feel really conflicted right now. I'm kinda thinking of finishing my lesson pack for Western right now and maybe doing a few English lessons. I do sort of feel like I'd be almost betraying my current instructor by switching to English. What should I do?
Thanks!
 
See less See more
#3 ·
Why not ride both. I do myself. I show western and english on the same horse. I also drive him. So he has learned what each bit means for what type of riding we are doing. Its not a good idea to jump in a dressage saddle. As a dressage saddle is meant for a deep seat. While a jumping saddle is meant to get your butt out of the saddle. So its best to jump in a jumping saddle.
 
#4 ·
This is a picture of the saddle on a horse (not my horse or picture, just one I found online):
Also: When you said "why not ride both" it reminds me of that little Mexican girl in the taco commercials; the 'hard shell or soft shell?" and she says "why not both?" and then they celebrate her :) Its a funny commercial :D
 

Attachments

#5 ·
Also: I really do like jumping, and I want to do it, but I can't do it at the barn I'm at right now. I'm really considering taking a break from Western and doing some English. I like the competitions in English more.
I can't really do what I want such as jumping at my current barn, because I am only 13 and I ride the lesson horses.

Someone that came to the Western barn I'm at and does English, I saw a video of her jumping and honestly I was a little jealous. Not only because she was jumping kinda high and I wish I could so that, but it makes me think. I find that jumping is more interesting to me and what I'm doing now, Western is kind of boring. I know you never stop learning, but it just doesn't seem to have any 'spark' to it.
 
#7 ·
Why does your age play a factor in to whether or not you can learn to jump? I understand the lesson horse issue though.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say her barn may have an age limit on jumping - some barns won't let their kids jump until they are 18.

Otherwise, I say try both!! I did both for about 11 months, doing breed shows. If me and my trainer hadn't had a HUGE falling out, I'd still be doing and loving it :)
 
#8 ·
I talked to my mom about it and she said she saw it coming :) She could tell I wanted to go back to English. We signed up for a lesson next weekend at the English barn, and so this weekend, I need to tell my current instructor that I'm switching to English.
I'm honestly kinda of afraid to tell her and I don't really know how to tell her. Any suggestions?
 
#9 ·
Express your gratitude for the lessons you've had and all she's taught you. Explain that you would like to try something different. I doubt very much that she will make a big deal or get upset. As a teacher you have to accept that sometimes your students move on.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top