Conference noted::equitation

    
    	Hi there...
    
    	I am gonna say sumthin' that I *know* folks will wanna beat
    	me up fer.... but they don call me "THE NAG" fer nuthin' yunno!
    
    	I ride western.. I have for well over 18 years (yes I am an
    	oldie...)  I enjoy it.  I have never taken dressage or any type
    	of english lessons.... why?  because I don't want to.  Simple.
    	I can't stand going round and round a ring.  Give me trees,
    	hills and beautiful sights to see!!  Respect my feelings - I
    	do yours.  What is right for you, may not for someone else.
    	
    	I had someone really hurt my feelings once.... she did it without
    	thinking, I hope.  A person that I was riding with knew her
    	(I didn't) told her I do distance riding.  She looked at me
    	and very bluntly said "With THAT?"  (She owned Arabs and can't
    	accept ANYTHING can do the same thing.)  Lots of things went
    	through my mind.. Her horse was VERY weedey, he wasn't shod	
    	all around and he feet were worn much too much in back, He had
    	old saddle and girth sores and all he seemed to want to do was
    	scream down the trails and a few other things but I kept my
    	mouth shut.  That hurt.  I am proud of my nag.. he may not be 
    	the best in the world but I love him and I am proud of what 
    	we have accomplished over the years. He is sound and healthy.
    
     	I NEVER try to get someone to "do things *MY* way" they have
    	a brain - they can decide.  If I don't agree - I KEEP my mouth
    	shut... sometimes I even have to step on my lip.  If I am asked
    	I will gladly offer my advice - you don't have to take it.
    
    	I ride well.  I am not fat-headed about this, it is just a fact.
     	I am always willing to learn something new that may help me
    	or my nag...  I have a friend that is "into dressage riding"
    	and I value her opinon.  No one is perfect (altho I have seen
    	some riders that seem it!!).
    
    	I am not trying to "rag on on the last message" so, please don't
    	be upset..  I am only trying to make a point.  (You may say
    	"What" at this point...!!  Yes dressage may be a super foundation 
    	- but that person could still get some basics from western 
    	riding and go from there.
    
    	I love to see professional riders - whatever way they ride...
     	I am one of the many folks that fell in love with dressage -
    	anyone know Limelight?  I really enjoy eventing - boy do thos
    	folks travel!  I also LOVE to watch a professional reining
    	class... hummmm!!
    
    	I am just tired of people that see me ride western look down their
    	noses at me because I ride western and think I am a "no nuthin'
    	yahoo".  When I know pleanty of folks that ride their little
    	"postage stamp saddles" that end up with horses that have saddle
    	sores (from improper fitting or saddles removed too quickly),
    	leg problems (from BANGING down paved roads) etc...  
    
    	Because this type of thing happends to ALL TYPES of riding -
    	wherever you have a jerk.  Like horses - there is a jerk in
    	EVERY breed.   
    
    	I know I got off my track a few times... sorry.  If I am out
    	of line sorry again....  but I do still feel the same way.
    
    	We ALL have the same joy - HORSES - think about it before you
    	open your mouth and maybe hurt someone.
    
    	Thanks.....
    
    			THE NAG
    
    	

    reply to .3
    
    Youre not being any sort of a nag.  This conference is full of
    different people and different styles of riding.  We've got 
    quarter horses, arabians, morgans, TB's, standardbreds, paints,
    ponies, drafts, uname it they're in here.  Huntseat, stockseat,
    saddleseat and dressage.  I agree with you that western is looked
    at in a different way by most people, as we are in a very dressage/
    event geared area.  Let me tell you though, the reiners put a plug
    in for themselves up in Canada a couple months back.  They gave
    an exhibition at a dressage event, and left the crowd in awe.  Each
    style of riding has something different to offer, and should be
    respected for that.  I personally have never had any direct contact
    with Dressage, but was left speechless at the Nationals after watching
    Belinda Beadoin on Allegria and Robert Dover on Romantico. It was
    a sight I'll never forget and each time I think about it get that
    same feeling.  I myself love riding stockseat however mainly stick
    to the ring with it as I feel better riding huntseat on the trails.
    Just my preference.  You stated it best, the point here is that
    it's not how or what style you ride, it's what you ride! A HORSE!
    
    -M-
    

    As someone who reins, jumps, events, shows dressage, hunts, teaches,
    judges, shows breed shows, does 20 mile pleasure rides and last
    but the best trail rides; I have ALWAYS felt that whatever people
    want to do is exactly what they should be doing. Oh, I left out
    saddle seat and a few others but anyway.....
    
    The impression that I have gotten about this conference is that
    people make a comment and receive responses, suggestions, criticisms,
    etc and it is up to the originator to take 'em or leave 'em and
    the respondees (if that's a word!) can make them. I certainly don't
    think that anyone was trying to push a certain way of riding down
    anyone else's throat but rather offer alternatives or other ideas!
    
    Re. .3, I know what you mean about getting hurt, for a few years
    I used to ride this cute but little Appaloosa mare (I'm 5'8", she's
    14.2 but I have long legs which usually are at her knees) and people
    always used to say to me, "Don't you really think you'd be MUCH
    better off with a bigger horse?" Well, after riding that mare for
    8 years and getting 2 superb foals out of her, I definitely have
    to say that no other horse, bigger, better or otherwise could have
    given me more fun times and taught me more!
    
    Happy riding all!
    
    Hope I didn't get too far off the subject!
    
    Linda :^)
    

    Thank you all for the information.  I just called a new stable in
    my home town (New Ipswich), and I'm going to start taking lessons
    next Saturday.  The instructor doesn't teach western riding, it
    will be hunt seat.  She said that after if I want to go into western
    I shouldn't have a problem doing so.  I really want to learn how
    to ride and take care of a horse for pleasure.  I don't want to
    get into show's because I really don't have the time or the desire
    to learn.  I just want to know how to saddle, harness, groom, feed
    etc.. and how to ride the horse not the saddle and maybe someday
    learn bareback.  But I appreciate all your responses.  Does anyone
    know what the difference between all the riding seats are?  Like
    hunt, saddle, ect..
    
    thanks 
          Cindy

re: .3

I know exactly what you mean, except I have the opposite problem.
I live in an area where the style of riding is predominantly
Western. I have two leopard apps, and I am constantly being
told by people that, "Its too bad you ride that flashy horse
with an English saddle." TOO BAD, MY AS*!! Others have told me
that "only homosexuals ride English"!! (I am not sure how sexual 
orientation relates to riding style. If someone out there knows 
please enlighten me.)

Your "Jerk rule" is pretty accurate. I ride with a real nice bunch
of people. Most of them ride Western. We all learn from each
other and have a good time. They are as adept or better at
communicating with their horses as the few of us that ride
English. I just won't ride with people that abuse their animals
or myself. I have learned just to let the "jerk" comments 
roll off my back and to do my own thing. There is too much to do 
without getting worked up over the idiotic comments of a few
crackpots.

"Illegitime non carborundum!"

/ed

    	HI JANICE!
    
    	Don't be sorry....  I don't think anyone was offended....  I
    	wasn't - HONEST!!  That is way I mentioned that I wasn't trying
    	to "pick on you".
    
    	I guess I should of started a separate note... that is my fault.
     	
    	I just wanted to mention my experience with what a thoughtless
    	person said to me and the fact that I feel that a person shouldn't
    	be goaded into any one type of riding style - they should be
    	able to experience any style and choose the one that THEY feel	
    	"fits" them - and that doesn't mean you have to die with it.
    
    	RE: .7  Funny, I can see your point, you are the first person
    	that has the same problem - but the OTHER way around!  I have
    	never met anyone with your problem (well, it really isn't a
    	problem for you - it is just what folks say)  I understand I
    	should be "tuffer" but you just don't expect it.  
    
    	But in any case, Janice, PLEASE doncha feel bad....!!
                                 
    	Susan THE NAG

    HAVE FUN WITH THEM AND ENJOY THEM...BAREBACK RIDING IS GREAT AS
    LONG AS THE BACK IS MADE FOR IT.
    

    HI CINDY,
    
    WHERE DO YOU WORK? I AM AT THE HUDSON, MASS. PLANT AND I TEACH LESSONS
    WESTERN... YOU CAN CALL ME FROM 4 TO 12 MIDNIGHT AT DTN 225-4659
    AND ASK FOR TERRY.
    
    WESTERN IS REALLY GREAT FOR TRAIL RIDING. I ALSO RIDE AND TEACH
    SIDE SADDLE ( WESTERN)
    
    GOOD LUCK.