Just watched this and it was certainly a good promo for western.
Out of interest (because I don't know anybody) who is shown on the video, apart obviously from Bob and John who were interviewed? Billywhiz - you mention going on a diet, so I assume you're featured?

I loved what Bob said regarding his visit to the hunting yard when they wouldn't take him seriously unless he was charging across country etc. This is so typical but hopefully it will change in time as more people take it up and lose that slightly sneery attitude to Western.

I've spent some time now researching the Wes situation in the UK and one of the issues that's been flagged up is the huge gap between the best and the worst Wes trainers. This of course applies also to 'English' but it's easier to move on and find somebody better in that world. I'm not trying to be controversial here but I was told by a leading exponent of wes riding that there are 'trainers' in the UK who don't have a good enough understanding themselves to be able to teach others. Perhaps as the sport grows the criteria for trainers could be tougher?

I am the big chap wearing the light checked coloured shirt.

As regards the difference in level of the trainers. Even the trainers at the lower end of the scale have something to offer novice riders and they all have an understanding of what they teaching for riders to be able get started. When you start upping your game, then you find you are looking for more from your trainer and it is time to move on. This is the same all over the world and a really good trainer will no when to direct the rider to their new mentor.

I think we should be really proud of our western trainers - I've worked with a number of English trainers in the past who don't deserve the label of 'teacher' or 'instructor', so little thought went in to what they proposed...

Great to see an advertorial for western! I'd been feeling a bit down, I took my QH on a charity ride a week ago, a fabulous occasion with around 200 participants, but everyone from an English perspective was fixated on my saddle, a couple of people after more than 3 mins of conversation actually started asking about my horse and its breeding and capabilities, but most were making crass comments about cowboys and the gear while demonstrating appalling understanding of horses via their own riding - I'm massively keen for western to gain ongoing momentum in the UK but experiences like that are just so disappointing

It is dissappointing that there are still people that sereotype western riding, however most negative comments are in my experience due to either jealousy or fear. My wife had a comment made to her that "sliding I dont see the point of it". In reply she pointed out that other than to have fun she did not see the point in hunting. Conversation over.

It is dissappointing that there are still people that sereotype western riding, however most negative comments are in my experience due to either jealousy or fear. My wife had a comment made to her that "sliding I dont see the point of it". In reply she pointed out that other than to have fun she did not see the point in hunting. Conversation over.

Don't despair CampBH, it seems we have to spend a lot of time educating 'english' riders - as a fellow 'half and half' rider I understand your frustration. We're on an english yard and when we get our mare out to ride you can sense everyone else rolling their eyes at the 'cowboys'. But they're all dead jealous of our chilled, responsive little horse who can turn in a box made of short poles, move sideways and backwards on a loose rein and open that awkward gate into the outdoor school without us having to get off!
Best of all, we've got a few mates who are into that most macho of english equestrian sports, team chasing, and they're always quizzing us about how to turn at speed