Good for you, Alexsmum. give it a go and ignore the negative comments. I used to ride English for many years before converting to Western about 5 or 6 years ago. It might take a little while, but its better for you and better for the horse. It gives you the best chance to work with your horse and is much more relaxed - I've never looked back. To help yourself try to get to a few shows. I'm not sure where you are but it's worth travelling to see what can be achieved, whatever breed you ride. Its also good to mix with like minded riders especially if you're based in an English yard. Western riding is still very much in the minority and visiting Western shows or going to clinics will help to give you encouragement and support, not to mention Western riders are a friendly bunch

We were at a little WES show yesterday and it was great to see riders with all types of horses having a go at the different classes and having FUN. There were lots of Appys, cobs and welshies and the diversity is one of the best things about WES.
After the distress of having a poorly horse last year, it has been so much fun to get out to the shows and see everyone enjoying themselves.
Well done to Wendy and Steve Scott for organising the Solihull show and for building such an interesting trail course. Madam thought it was great, once she realised there were actually no beasties hiding in the chrysanthemums decorating the bridge!
But one of the best bits was seeing the delight of a young lady with a nice little black welshie take sixth place in the novice horse trail! Long live western, there's something for everyone.