Horseback Riding and Western / English Bias

After putting in a day at a local horse expo, my husband asked me about the difference between Western and English styles of horseback riding. He said it seemed like Western was more "just for fun" and English seemed more like "an art form". I had to think long and hard about my answer, because it's really not that simple. The next day while watching a horse program on tv someone kind of scoffed at the concept of a riding school while singing the praises of "the cowboy way".

I think he should be careful of ripping on riding school riders; they probably ride there because they or their parents can't afford to own a horse, so to criticize them is actually a bit elitist. Riding schools do have the advantage of enabling you to ride a variety of horses.

Riding school techniques are taught because they work; if your heels are down and you're sitting up straight, you're more likely to stay on should your horse spook or buck. Also, those are basics that apply to any style of riding or saddle.

Just because a rider looks poised and pursues having good equitation doesn't mean they are posing, with no skill to handle a horse or situation that is more challenging. Chances are the horse is a challenging ride, and the rider is skilled enough to make them look easy. An example is equitation rider Brianne Goutal, winner of the MacClay Medal. I have no knowledge of if her horse is an easy or a difficult ride. But plop her on a green horse out on the trail and I'm sure she would still get the job done and look good doing it.

Someone who can do as much as much variety as possible is a good horseman. Ride a reining pattern or dressage test, getting the transitions where you want them and controlling the pace of the horse. Ride out over the countryside. Riders and horses benefit from getting out of the arena.

There is always something to be gained from other disciplines. I went to a dressage demo, but I could have picked up something from any of the other clinicians as well. For instance, I would have learned something interesting or applicable from the barrel horse demo, though I have no interest in barrel racing, myself.

Hunt seat or dressage riding isn't necessarily uppity or less fun. Western is no less an art form. Watch a reining or cutting horse and you'll see that. And whether you wear breeches or Wranglers, it is good to know as much as possible about horse care and management.

It's all good, no matter what saddle you're riding in. Any good horseman would agree that the most important thing is that your saddle 1) fit your horse, and 2) it is best to keep it between your butt and the horse. So whether you'd rather hear "cowboy up" or "tally ho", we'll see ya on the trail!