Hi guys,

Just been on a lovely weekend clinic with Bruce Lawrence at Carsluith Quarter Horses- thanks to John and co for organising it.

I'm fairly new to western, have just joined WES and I'm looking forward to getting involved in shows, demos and clinics.......

So- where are they? Who is responsible for welcoming new WES members? Have I paid my ?25 to only support events held south of the border?

The recent Bob Mayhew demo at Gleneagles was a great opportunity to promote western riding in Scotland, but there were no easily identifiable WES reps, leaflets or anything that might have enabled visitors new to the sport to find out more!

Come on guys, stop hiding and infighting and get out there and promote your sport. We need lots of (constructive) communication, a shiny new Scottish website, a regular newsletter and some events. I am very keen to get involved, but where do I start if reps cannot even be ar*ed to answer their emails!!?

BTW all you reiners out there- what are you doing? The sport in this country will be extinct before it even gets a chance to shine. Lets get some answers over the selection process and get team members who have earned their way onto the team thru hard work and dedication, not bought their places!!

Welcome to western and reallity.

Good point, newcomers are left to find their own way round the circuits.

And what a minefield that can be

I note that your favourite horse is an Appaloosa as mine used to be.

I learnt through hard knocks that Quarter Horses are much better for novice riders. Shame nobody told me that one at the beginning.

WES has some Great shows and clinics, I am sure that Bruce can help guide you to the better venues.

Ok just a short note in here as I feel that I must step in at this point.
1.. As for the selection process for the reining team. It is stated in the BR handbook how the selection process will be conducted, so please feel free to read the handbook at any time!

2.. All competitors who wish to put themselves forward for selection onto the team have the same chances as the next competitor. All team members have to earn their place on the british team!

3.. To my knowledge nobody Bought Their Place on the team.

I would also like to know who is giving out such false information?

I have only been riding western for a few years and also found it a bit challenging to be a newcomer when everyone seemed to know one another. I went to a few shows (most of which are listed on the WES site and easy to find), got myself a quarter horse, and took loads of lessons. I met most of my new frieds at the lessons and clinics and that gave a good support group when attending the shows.

I agree that there could be more information out there for people just coming by to have a look. Before each class presented, it would be nice if someone could explain what the class was and what to look for, very briefly. This is time consuming and extra work for all the hard working volunteers, but well worth it. I was very lost when watching some classes for the first time. I have to say that this was done once when I attended a show in Hereford at Emma French's a few years back. There was positive feedback about this but I have not seen it since.

Since there are so few western riders, clinics and shows are expensive to put on, and generally difficult for many of us to get to, it does take some dedication to travel to shows. BUT the more we do the better the shows get each year and the more riders join the ranks.

Well done to everyone who works so hard to keep the sport moving forward. Ignore rumours, and have a lot of fun whether it be in reining, pleasure or trail! Most of us have a great time and welcome all the newcomers. I make a point of talking to "strangers" at shows and clinics, answer questions if I can and promote this great sport, the same as I was welcomed a few years back.

It's a shame your first experiences with WES have been a little bit disappointing Ichired.
Clinics and shows that we have attended (admittedly in the midlands and south) have generally been well attended by WES local committee and even the national chairman, pr etc
And having personally competed in all kinds of English disciplines for years (OH has tolerated them, just!) it was the welcome and friendly atmosphere of western events that we have found so addictive.
Every time we go to a show we make new friends, and people have always been willing to help and advise where needed (altough don't expect other competitors to point it out if you forget to take the horse's boots off before going in the trail !)
And I haven't seen many signs of divisions and fallouts in WES either - yes, there's rivalry, but it's nowhere near as cut throat as BR or even at times, AQHA.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a massive fan of reining - we were lucky enough to go out to WEG, and whatever the rights and wrongs of the British team selection it was one of the best weekends of my life.
Other threads have suggested that reining is dwindling in support - in our experience, this is far from the case. Reining entries -particularly in the novice classes - were massive at the WES champs (and at Hartpury), and when BR finally got its act together and organised some classes at Moreton Morrell they were well supported too.

Qhrider - I take your point about info at shows, and I believe this is an area that David Brindley is working on. But like you, we do our bit, although some of the questions you get at a big centre like Moreton Morrell have to be heard to be believed!

BR cut throat?

I think this choice of phrase a bit harsh.

There is a competitive issue that has created disagreements. Just like everyone forgetting to tell you take your boots off, but a bit more intense.

On the other hand the "BR lot" have been the friendliest of all, they have helped with various issues. AQHA people are really friendly and helpful, Jane Muir (no sarcasm intended) is very helpful underneath the hard image she creates. Anne Batley (a reiner) helped us to integrate at an Appaloosa Show.

Countless times I have witnessed Mark How and David Gray (both reiners) helping novice riders at shows. Bob Mayhew has always been their just as I am threatening to barbecue an Appaloosa, saving my sanity and JC's skin. I could carry on naming people all day long, Lee Rutter, Shane Boreland, Andrew Fox all help and encourage newcomers. All of these people and many more in the AQHA, WES, BR and NRHA circles keep me coming back to shows.

Perhaps its because of this that I am so actively trying to campaign to get unification amongst our community.

Group dynamics dictate that what is currently happening to BR is a natural progression in formation of what can result in a very strong Foundation. Arguments have to occur in order for us to grow.

Maybe we should look at becoming more business like in order to evolve?

Post edited by: billywhiz, at: 2006/12/06 18:22