I always get asked who I think is a good trainer in the UK for Western teaching & training. There seem to me more horror stories assoc with a lot of western trainers - I don't know why but there is always someone that doesn't like so & so.

I just thought it would be good to start a thread on who you have found to be good.

We have one horse in training with Shane Borland at the moment & I have been having regular lessons with him on another horse at Mendip Stud. I have been riding for over 20 years and in all my time I don't think I have met anyone that works as hard as Shane does. His training and teaching is first class and I have loved every miniute of it. He has given me a lot of confidence and has made a huge difference to the horse I have just been having lessons on. His teaching makes sense and he doesn't let any ego get in the way of training. My lesson horse would be miles behind his training if it was not for Shane

The horse that we have in training is kept in 5* stables and his horse management is second to none. I would trust him with any of our horses. The horse in training has changed shape no end. We sent Shane an unfit QH and have something now that has muscles on muscles !! He really has turned both horses around in to trainable horses that are a joy to ride.

We recently have had some training with Lee Rutter at one of the Mendip Stud clinics and that was great fun. Lee is another guy that I have known from the AQHA show scene and is a great rider.

I have a lot of respect for people that keep their heads while their horses are loosing theirs. I have never seen Shane or Lee loose their temper with a horse. It is nice to find good trainers

Post edited by: admin, at: 2006/04/10 23:45

I don't know Shane, but Lee is first class. Our QH was trained by Lee from scratch and he has turned her into a super horse, a real pleasure to be around. Not only that but Lee is a thoroughly nice person who clearly enjoys what he does. I would certainly recommend him

I do not 'know' Shane but have spoken with him and seen him in action a number of times in the past and can see he has the skills.

I know Lee a little better and he also has the skill and personality that will IMHO take him far...

There are a number of (new & upcoming) trainers out there in addition to these two. This site is designed for them to promote themselves... lets hear from those who have decided to make 'Western' their job.

markrm wrote:
I don't know Shane, but Lee is first class. Our QH was trained by Lee from scratch and he has turned her into a super horse, a real pleasure to be around. Not only that but Lee is a thoroughly nice person who clearly enjoys what he does. I would certainly recommend him

Yes I quite agree, it's not many people you can meet at stupid-o'clock in the morning of a show and they are still happy to out there in a quiet arena just doing what they enjoy. I have never heard a bad word said about Lee at all.

Choosing a western trainer is not easy, but before parting with your hard earned money (and lets face it training is expensive) make sure you can speak to people that recommend the trainer that you have chosen. I have recently heard of some people not happy that they have parted with thousands of pounds & months down the line they were wishing that they had taken their horses elsewhere for training.

Research is key !

What does IMHO mean? Thanks :0)

IMHO - in my humble/honest opinion. See/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_acronym for more.