Hi All

I have been 'playing western' for a long time with my long suffering shire x welsh cob. Got the tack had a few lessons with different people did a few clinic, embarressed myself at a few shows. Alwyas done it on my own (very supporting family though)
It is only this year I have finally decided to pull my finger out-so to speak and have sorted out some lessons with Lauren on her lovely horse, which is great learing to ride western on a horse that knows what its doing insted of learing together.
Hoping to improve my riding and skills to have another go at shows this year.

My advise would be if you really want to ride western keep talking to people, and go to shows its the best way to build up local connections, I only discovered lauren by going to look at a horse at her place, horse want foe me, was lovely but not right for me and I ended up booking some lessons insted!!

Good Luck

hi

i was the same i use o ride english. only got into western because my mum had always wanted to try that style of riding so went for a lesson at david and sarah deptfords in cambridge which got me hooked!

the problem being though that i lived in essex and couldnt find anywhere near!

about 3 months later oakridge quarter horses near lincoln (3 hour drive from me) was recommended to me and here i found my dream horse- sons sweet chic. he was only 3 years old but perfect in every way!

lita pocock, lee rutter n all the team have supported me since with all there help and training and iv never been happier! lee is a fantastic trainer and instructor he has true empathy for horse and rider.

so... i can really recommend to the highest standards oakridge quater horses it really is worth going that extra distance to find your dream.

good luck evryone and i hope you all find your dream horse like me!

Like you I have found it difficult to source a QH locally, find an instructor etc firstly, look at AQHuk site they list instructors or the WES site.  I lucikly discovered Bob and Chrissie Mayhew at Trotton Nr Petersfield Hamps about half an hr from me but as they are breeders only sell youngsters sometimes older horses on behalf of clients.  I have just purchased a 3 yr old mare (a bit daunting) but she is staying for training for another few months whilst I am trying to learn Western (can do English though).  Found David Lloyd the WES Chairman in Yately that is nearly an hr away from me so not so bad.  Looking for the right saddle is proving difficult too, as well as a small horse box shocked to discover how expensive they are.  Have you considered a youngster? but if you cant learn till your youngster is trained that will be a bit worrying! hope this has helped a bit....if anyone can advise me too I will be grateful!!!

Hi

A few observations on this very interesting topic from someone who has been trying to learn Western riding for all of 2 months!

- Albeit with just one lesson in the bag, I can really recommend Bruce Lawrence - he has an excellent lessons horse which doesn't feel like a lessons horse, if you know what I mean, very forward going, many more buttons than I knew how to press but a lovely optimistic attitude, certainly not your average 'riding school plod'!; and Bruce's teaching/coaching style for me was really clear and engaging.

- I took the leap in April and bought a young quarterhorse, realising that I wanted to get on with western seriously but lacked the back-up, ability and confidence to take it forward on my own. I bought my horse through Shane Borland who let me try a number of horses but who, I believe, spoke to me very straight about the abilities of each horse versus my own expectations and capabilities, and who I believe ultimately matched me to the right horse for me. I wasn't encouraged to enter my new acquisition into any training programme but when I thought about it, I knew this would be the best arrangement to bring both myself and my youngster on smoothly. I had to take the mental and physical leap of not expecting my horse or my training to reside around the corner and prepare for a few hours each weekend to be spent on the road to meet up with them - and although wasting all that time over a precious weekend can lead to a lot of doubts about why I'm doing this, I can honestly say that this is being fairest to both me and my new horse, and I've met some very experienced and friendly people along the way who have gone to alter my view about what to do or what aim for. I take my hat off to Shane - having worried privately to myself about my horse going beautifully for a trainer but not for me, I've not once felt patronised, embarrassed or let down; my young horse sees me as a factor in his life, not just his trainer - but he truly loves and respects his trainer; and I can see the improvement in both myself and my horse week by week, which is, surely, what it's all about?!

- It's a shame that more western-trained horses are not available for general lessons, but that's largely down to the situation with insurance premiums and liability which may yet change.

It is possible.

For some time now we have been trying to bridge the gap in introducing newcomers and first time riders to western riding. We have taken the step of becoming a registered and licensed riding school. We have paid the insurance and the rates. We have 4 Quarter horses and one paint registered and licenced as instructional horses. We have chosen to go down this route to make it possible for interested riders and beginners to experience the sport on show experienced quarter horses. All our lessons are given by a WES approved instructor. We fortunate enough to have helped many people to get started in the sport. It doesn?t matter where you are from in the UK you can experience the sport on horses that are western trained and maintained. If you like it we know you can then go to the trainer of your choice in your area to take your interest further. We have customers who have come from London, Norfolk , Birmingham , Yorkshire and Scotland all of whom are now active in their own home area. We are also pleased to have regular visiting trainers including Bruce Lawrence, Shane Borland, Lee Rutter, Bob Mayhew all of whom are happy to give their services to customers on our horses in their regular clinics ? so you can try these trainers out too if that?s what you want to do.
Perhaps the most exciting area all has been the number of youth riders who are taking advantage of these services and facilities ? we had 25 youth riders over our 4 day Easter holiday youth clinics ? all riding our quarter horses. We will continue to offer this introductory programme of youth clinics in the summer holidays sponsored by [b]BR and the Worshipful Company of Saddlers[/b].

If this helps anyone interested in getting started feel free to e-mail us or call to discuss your needs further -take a look at the website too www.themendipstud.com

John

john@themendipstud.com

you are so right; a lot of us started with a youngster and, despite advice/criticism from various 'English' quarters, discovered that it is possible to learn together! There are some brilliant trainers around that are great at taking you and your green horse through the basics and then onwards. We have learnt so much over the years and, like you said, have never felt patronised. We have just come back from a training camp at Shane Borlands' and had sessions with him, Catherine Wright and Lee Rutter. Learnt so much from all of them and they make it so enjoyable.
Great that the Mendip stud can operate as a riding school, wish we had something over our way (Essex) as an awful lot of people never get to dip their toe in the water and discover how great it is.