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Riding Discipline HELP!

3K views 12 replies 11 participants last post by  JessicaGDA 
#1 ·
Alright, so I am fairly new to riding, I've been riding for about a year or so. I don't own a horse, I've just been riding lesson horses for this year. I've started learning Western, never have ridden English, but English- Show Jumping and Dressage really interests me a lot. But I also like Western a lot, not sure what to do now, or where to go from here.

What would you recommend? Do you think I should change riding styles, or learn both? What is your favorite riding style and competition? I would also like some facts about them both from a rider themselves on both disciplines.

Just super confused about what to do now! Thanks ahead! :D
 
#2 ·
If you are able to, why not try both then you can decide what you like better (or just continue to ride both!). I ride both english and western. I learned to ride english, so it was pretty easy to change to western. I think it might be harder to adjust to and english saddle after learning western.

ETA: wanted to ad that I have never actually shown western, only trail riding and some gaming for fun. I grew up eventing, foxhunting, playing polocrosse, and competed quite a bit in mounted games with the pony club.
 
#6 ·
I have trained both English and western riders before and truthfully, you will benefit greatly from taking a few English lessons to see what you think of it. It will also help with balance and seat and overall riding skill. I love my WP horses but there is a great reward having a great jump or English ride too. You can do both and do them well! Good luck!
 
#7 ·
I'm WP and reining. That's really all I've wanted to do, and have no desire to do anything else (english/dressage wise). I have jumped for fun but not really my thing. All I have to say is what was posted above is that if both interest you, go for it!! There's no reason why you should only have to choose one lol. If I liked english as much as western, I'd do both too.
 
#8 ·
i have shown western but i still can jump in an english saddle! i think its harder to switch from western to english.because western riding is a little bit more relaxed and your not on the bit all the time.
 
#10 ·
I ride western sometimes for fun, but im mainly dressage, (i used to jump) but i find i benefit from trying all disiplines, i once had a reining lesson, which was fun! i think its fun to learn them all ,who knows, you may just fall in love with dressage or jumping!
 
#11 ·
I've done both. I first started on western just doing some trail riding...that was when I was 4. Then around 12 I started English. I jumped and did a few shows. I like doing it, but it wasn't for me. I wanted to be able to relax and go fast. So I went back to western and now I barrel race. I love it! But you can't have anyone decide what is good for you. Like everyone else said, try both. I mean its good experience and plus you make like to do both and show both. =) Good look with your decision.
 
#12 ·
It would be completely up to you. It would be nice if you could learn both, but if you can't do both, in my opinion I would choose english.

I would probably choose english because I personally do show jumping and really enjoy it, but as the others said, it's easier to go from english to western than from western to english.

So I would suggest first mastering english, then you can maybe give western a try and you will find you can adjust more easily.

Let us know which you choose and how it goes. Good luck. :wink:
 
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