western events in england?

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rose1081

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Hello,

Does anyone do any western, showing or events in england?

My horse is an american paint cross, and I have a western saddle which i ride in occasionally (and of course i think she looks the business in it! but i am bias...)

I was just wondering if anyone actually does western for fun or competes over here? where to start really...
 
There is quite a lot, if you happen to be in the right part of the country as they are quite spread out.

The strongest group is the Western equestrian society who have a regional set up and each region runs shows, they also do clinics and have a national show. Some of them have clinic/riding weekends too. They have a prize of a silver buckle if you clock up so many miles riding western.

I think if WES as the equivalent of the dressage society, but they run showing classes as well. There are other societies like reining and some do games like barrel racing and cattle work, but not many places.

There is a magazine called Western Horse for owners of American horses - I have one by my side at the moment. It lists all the societies, but does major on quarter horses, but then there are probably more quarter horses than the other breeds. It has articles on gaited horses and all the different American breeds and training, etc.

There are some western classes at Solihull Riding Club and a big American Breeds Show at Moreton Morrell, Warwickshire in the spring where there will be all sorts, paints, saddlebred, Morgan. There are some American breeds shows in Kent too and occasional other shows put on classes. I think Excell Training is one place in Kent. They do saddle seat there as well as being very involved in western. Also White Rocks Farm in Kent.

There is quite a lot going on but finding out is the difficult part.
 
hiya, as you have a paint horse, why don't you join the paint horse assoc? rob painter who runs it is very helpful and knowledgeable and the website is useful too. there are more paint classes happening now too at sovereign quarter horse shows and at the east coast circuit in sussex and the garden of england circuit in sussex. the standard at these circuits is a bit higher than wes but just as much fun and friendly too. the westernhorse uk magazine has a website and is available in wh smiths too. if you are looking for a teacher/trainer in the south east, i recommend susie anderson in sussex (07714706092).
 
as above really - as you are just starting out I'd get in touch with the APHA UK via Rob Painter and also your regional WES rep (if you are London/South East that will be John Ayles in Area 8, contact details are on www.wes-uk.com ).
Western Horse UK is probably the most comprehensive source for what's on in the Western community (this includes clinics as well as shows and other events) and if you can't find the magazine in one of the larger WH Smiths you can subscribe online via www.westernhorseuk.com .
In addition to the East Coast Circuit and Garden of England Circuit shows in the South East, I think there's also an annual American Pleasure Horse show around August in Pachesham, Surrey. In 2011 it definitely looks as though many shows which might previously have been, for example, only for Quarter Horses are branching out to include classes under the All Breed Societies as well - and National Snaffle Bit Association and National Reining Horse Association classes which are open to all breeds have been on the schedule of a number of shows for a few years now - so there's plenty of showing options if you are able to get out and about.
 
ah brilliant! thanks! i'll take a look at all of those

see, i knew people on here would be able to help! :)

I have spent the afternoon cleaning my western tack, so all geared up to go!
 
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