Thank you every one. I plan to look up western trainers once I have settled down in new home and yard next month.

I do find it hard to divorce english ridng style (leg,leg,leg, hold in outline)from English tack. Howevoer I rode up lane and back tonight (20 mins) in my WH saddle western style and my pony was so much happier. He can be very jumpy and I tend to pressurise him to go on. Western styley with minimal contact and neck reining he seems to be able to think more clearly and panick less.

My gran plan is to go back to long distance riding and save for a decent light weight western trail saddle.

I am moving to Mossley (in between oldham and Aston/stalybridge), dont know if any you are in the vacinity?

Would certainly recommend you get in touch with Scherie Dermody - she will be so helpful, and will definitely have some ideas about finding a saddle. She also has 'english' horses so she will understand the dilemmas.
Interestingly, my horse was started western and dressage has been a massive learning curve for her - every time we hit a problem, we go back to western aids (yes, in an English saddle and snaffle bridle) to restore the lines of communication.
She now thinks she has life sorted out by completely rejecting her English saddle, but I have a very determined saddler who is on a mission to make it fit a very muscled up western competition horse!

Hi Im about 20 miles south of you PM me if you like. , I would recomend joining WES im sure there are members close by that you can hook up with. this thing about english v western.. you should be useing your legs in western too... hands are for guiding and positioning your horse while your legs are for movement...

hi, sorry to read all about your ups and downs you seem to have tried so hard!
i agree join WES, you get a local area rep, as you get out into areas, eg im west midlands so are 10 who will be able to help with trainers near you and WES have lists of approved Instructors! i had a similar argument with english or western, and the more informed you get the better its always going to be!

mel

hi, sorry to read all about your ups and downs you seem to have tried so hard!
i agree join WES, you get a local area rep, as you get out into areas, eg im west midlands so are 10 who will be able to help with trainers near you and WES have lists of approved Instructors! i had a similar argument with english or western, and the more informed you get the better its always going to be!

mel

Hi all

I have now settled in to my new home and the miles and miles of lovely hacking on the pennine bridleway such a change from riding in rush hour traffic around housing estates in Brum!

I have not restarted western riding as yet and amazingly did my first 'proper' dressage test in 7 years and came 5th and yes there were a lot more than 5 horses competing!I think all the hill works helped collection.