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!
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.
I say, learn both! Why not? I ride English and I love Dressage and Show-jumping, but not so much eventing, so I just do two disciplinces seperatly. I also love playing polocrosse, trail ride and work with race horses.
That's a good idea. Thank you both.
I would have to go to a different barn though to learn English- Dressage and Jumping though. That's why I've been kind of confused and "stuck" on what to do!
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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:
Thanks everyone! I'm going to try both, I'll try to keep updated on how lessons and training goes... thanks for the opinions!
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