Advice for a new rider, how do I start this sport???

Sometimes a bit of extra travel will make all the difference. If you start out with a bad instructor or somebody that you don't like it can sour you to an otherwise amazing sport. Try out a few different places and find one that suits your personality.

They may work but that will depend. Are the soles smooth or have notches/nubs? You should have smooth soles so they can slip out of the stirrups if you fall off. Also, most work boots, at least here in the US, are to large for normal stirrups. You would have to use oversized stirrups.
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I'm going to suggest that by "silly hats", the OP didn't mean riding helmets, but the top hats you see (along with cutaway coats &c) in some sorts of dressage events, like this: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5hBsaWMMs6...ntucky+092.JPG

Yes that't a silly hat. Helmets are ok though

I live in England in the south, and a word of advice, you're going to struggle to find a Western riding school to start with, let alone a reasonably priced one.
You don't have to wear the "silly clothes" if you ride English, but at a riding school you will have to wear a riding helmet. And with either discipline you'll need to buy boots with a heel.
Also, riding English, you don't have to learn "dressage" if you don't want to. I've been riding weekly for a few years now and haven't learnt any of the "dance" moves yet They are incredibly advanced moves, and it'll be years before you understand how to just ride the horse, let alone give advanced aids.
I'd suggest trying out both riding styles if you can, you may enjoy one more than the other. If you're indifferent to the style it might be a better choice to ride English... simply because it's easier to find a good riding school.

I wouldn't wear steel.. your feet would get so tired and sore eventually. I wore steel toed boots forever during the winter time in Colorado... man it was exhausting. Plus they were thick so they did get wedged into my stirrups sometimes!

At least get hiking boots with at least 1" heel. Used boots are fine too, and the barn may have some you could borrow.

I'm glad that you apologized and thought about it some more. Jeans are good but may cause rubs so be prepared!

If that place doesnt work for you then my best suggestion is you contact the BHS and ask for a list of approves riding schools in your area - sometimes paying a bit more is a better option as you'll get better lessons and better horses so you'll progress at a faster rate. Good luck!!
Link to BHS website. Don't be put off if it seems a bit stuffy or beyond you - riding is a never ending learning experience and we all had to start at the beginning
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Alasdair---good for you for trying out something you might end up loving! It's not about the clothes you wear or the girls you meet. You want to ride a horse so go out and do it. I took English lessons for years without jodphurs and I survived. Keep an open mind and enjoy yourself...your opinions on the garb may change.

I just booked a riding lesson for Saturday 2nd Febuary so I'll see how it goes.

Good luck with it. Hope it goes well.

Remember to relax and breathe.
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