[Tasia]

Hello all
If you have been watching the english riding forum you might of seen my thread "starting english". Before I do that I need to chose my path for western at the moment. So I have been training and showing for Reining, WP and equitation. We have done well in all. I NEED a new western saddle. The hard thing about doing reining and WP is that reining is a event that is faster pace which might wreck his WP lope. Champ has a TON of energy so reining tends to use that energy while in WP I have some troubles keeping him slower and relaxed. But there is a lack of reining shows around here so I dont have a lot of chances to compete. On the other hand my riding teacher is a reining trainer and competeter so I can get the expierence. In WP and Equitation I can hardley keep Champ relaxed. So what sounds better and worth while?

 

[SorrelHorse]

Reining, definately.

If your horse isn't relaxed for WP you won't do as well, unfortunately. And Reining can be much more rewaring in the long run, plus if your trainer is a reiner than you can get more help when you need it.

Competition isn't the most important thing. If there is a lack of reining shows then just rein for the fun of it, and compete in what few shows there is.

 

[Tasia]

I am going with reining. Today though I got a great offer on a little sorrel mare she has NRHA points 7 yo but shes 10 000, I could get her for 8000 or 9000. Sadly the only way I could afford her is if I sold my horse, Champ. Its a really big decision and I have no idea what I should do! HELP!!!

 

[Tasia]

Update I rode her. Shes amazing spins as if its second nature,great slider and she has real nice gait.
BUT I dont have the heart to sell Champ. I will continue training Champ for upcoming shows!

 

[SorrelHorse]

Okay, awesome. Keep us updated, lots of pics ^^

 

[xXBrutalxInterludeXx]

OK I don't want to sound rude or anything, but I can't believe you! What is the point inn buying a horse that is already completely trained (unless you don't know how to ride) and just sitting on their back looking pretty? I can't belive you would trade in your horse, companion, and friend, just so you can win reining shows.
I mean really?? I hope you seriously condiser this, before you make a mistake.
My mare was a barrel horse when I got her, and I manely ride english. I succesfully trained her to jump 3', do shoulder/huanches in, a little leg yeilding, and to be on the bit, not to mention flyinmg lead changes. Do you know how rewarding that is? If you trade in your horse, for one that already knows how to do all that stuff, you will most likely feel terrible.
I know if you do reining, you need a horse that at least has the ability to do it, but if your just doing small shows, i don't see why you would risk losing your horse, so you could get more blue ribbons. I would never trade my mare in, and when I got her she was 4 and green broke, and I had only been riding about 8 months. And now she can run barrels, do dressage, and jumping. And all this is so rewarding. do you know why? because we learned together, and tought eachother. And THAT is what makes a great partnership. Not getting a horse that already knows how to do EVERYTHING you ask it. What would be the point in that? There would be absolutely no partnership at all. however, if you don't have a relationship/partnership with Champ, and you do with this mare you are trying, maybe it would be for the best. But I just want you to remember, before you choose, that there is always way more to horses, reining, and showing, then blue ribbons. So please take that into consideration.
Again- I did not intend any offense at all.

 

[Tasia]

As I said in the above post I didnt buy her. I have also trained my horse,Champ already but he just needs some touch ups. But yes I do know how rewarding it is to train a horse.My horse and I are already in the ribbons(trying not to be cocky sorry).

Anyway back to the orginal topic

 

[PaintsPwn]

xXBrutalxInterludeXx, sometimes people want to show, and they want to do well at showing. It's really none of your business at all what Tasia decided to do, and you have no right to lecture her upon it - or try to guilt trip her on it.

This is also a great reason to read the WHOLE thread, and not jumping the gun, getting all righteous about it 8|

 

[nrhareiner]

OK I don't want to sound rude or anything, but I can't believe you! What is the point inn buying a horse that is already completely trained (unless you don't know how to ride) and just sitting on their back looking pretty? I can't belive you would trade in your horse, companion, and friend, just so you can win reining shows.
I mean really?? I hope you seriously condiser this, before you make a mistake.
My mare was a barrel horse when I got her, and I manely ride english. I succesfully trained her to jump 3', do shoulder/huanches in, a little leg yeilding, and to be on the bit, not to mention flyinmg lead changes. Do you know how rewarding that is? If you trade in your horse, for one that already knows how to do all that stuff, you will most likely feel terrible.
I know if you do reining, you need a horse that at least has the ability to do it, but if your just doing small shows, i don't see why you would risk losing your horse, so you could get more blue ribbons. I would never trade my mare in, and when I got her she was 4 and green broke, and I had only been riding about 8 months. And now she can run barrels, do dressage, and jumping. And all this is so rewarding. do you know why? because we learned together, and tought eachother. And THAT is what makes a great partnership. Not getting a horse that already knows how to do EVERYTHING you ask it. What would be the point in that? There would be absolutely no partnership at all. however, if you don't have a relationship/partnership with Champ, and you do with this mare you are trying, maybe it would be for the best. But I just want you to remember, before you choose, that there is always way more to horses, reining, and showing, then blue ribbons. So please take that into consideration.
Again- I did not intend any offense at all.

First Reining is a very hard event to learn as your horse learns. If more people actually went out and got a finished reiner to learn on they would be much more happy in the end. A typical reiner will go through about 3-4 horses as they learn and move up.

Also unlike a lot of other events including H/J there is no lower level. Open shows do not have the footing and judging and most use 4H patterns that is NOT reining that is running a pattern which you can do in other events.

When you are showing reining in the NRHA even the Green as Grass classes they use the same pattern and judging system as every other class. There are no ground pole or X-pole classes to start out in. Only real change is in Green 1 you can do a simple lead change vs a flying lead change.

Also as she has stated she is training with an NRHA pro who shows. Which means she will have a good chance of going to NRHA shows which is great in all accounts that she has help and can go to shows with her trainer. Really helps a lot.


Now this is me putting on my SM hat.
Also even though it has already been mentioned. Read through the whole post and get ALL the facts before you start in on a person. If you can not say it nicely do not say it. That is different then if you can not say something nice do not say anything at all. B/C I really hate that saying. Just say it in a nicer way.

 

[nrhareiner]

As I said in the above post I didnt buy her. I have also trained my horse,Champ already but he just needs some touch ups. But yes I do know how rewarding it is to train a horse.My horse and I are already in the ribbons(trying not to be cocky sorry).

Anyway back to the orginal topic

Back on topic. Since you are working with a trainer and your horse is getting really close to being finished I would keep working on reining with your trainers help and then go with them to the NRHA shows they go to. One it will be a ride for you and your horse. You will get the help there you need and it is a lot of fun. Plus in the green classes your horse should do fine. Once you start shelling out more money on entree fees at the higher level classes and your horse is not quite up to bringing home a pay check then think about moving up. Keep in mind that as much as you love your horse getting him going well in reining and doing well at HIS level. There will always be good homes for that type of horse with in the NRHA and people he can go on and teach reining too and will enjoy him. If and when that time comes.

 

[xXBrutalxInterludeXx]

xXBrutalxInterludeXx, sometimes people want to show, and they want to do well at showing. It's really none of your business at all what Tasia decided to do, and you have no right to lecture her upon it - or try to guilt trip her on it.

This is also a great reason to read the WHOLE thread, and not jumping the gun, getting all righteous about it 8|

I realize that some people want to show, and do well. And I also realize that it's not my business to tell her what to do, nor to lecture her. But you need to realize that i wasn't trying to do either of those things, and that you shouldn't be this way about things like this :]
And although it's not my business I know what it's like to want to show, and win, but not really having the horse for it. But in the end, what is the point in standing in the arena-alone- if you didn't accomplish anything to get there?

As far as the 'lecture' I was giving her- I just wanted her to think about it.
It's a really big decision. And I know there are no 'lower levels' I just ment smaller shows, like county shows or something.
And, in fact, I did not jump the gun. I happened to read the post several times. So maybe it's you who needs to not jump the gun? And not be so rude to someone who is giving there opinion. If YOU read it thoroughly you would notice she asked peoples opinions on what she should do about selling her horse.
And as I said twice in my post, if you had read the entire thing and not 'jumped the gun'- I ment absolutely NO offense at all.

~Allison

 

[Tasia]

Thank you for everbodies opinions. I was cosidering of selling my horse because its been a long road for training and I just wanted a good quality reiner. Mind you the option is still open (and will be for a while). But I am getting a new reining saddle to fit Champ so I think we will continue even after the crappy rides I have been having I will stick with it. I am also getting back onto a regular lesson schedule so that will help. There has been a increase in reining shows around here so I can get out in the open and learn more.

 

[PaintsPwn]

Tasia, good to know. Perhaps he'll improve with better fitting tack. It can make a WORLD of difference!