Hi! I’m interested in taking some western lessons. I’m a Hunter jumper but I don’t enjoy jumping anymore and I’m thinking about making the switch to a western discipline like reining or western equitation, not interested in barrel racing but willing to try pretty much anything else. I would love to try a few disciplines and take some lessons to give it a try, and I’m looking for some recommendations. I’m in Charlotte and I only know Hunter jumper trainers in the area, so any recommendations are appreciated!
NRHA web site has a list of trainers by state.
I entered NC and this came up, if you are close to another state, put that in and see what you find.
https://nrha.com/findapro?k=&location_state=478&location_country=225
In NC I only know directly Peter De Freitas, a wonderful top trainer that can advise you where to go if you are interested in trying reining.
Also some NRHA reining shows have at times a professional trainer providing a few practice horses to the public to try for a few minutes, see if you have one close to go to.
There are today all kinds of western arena events, try several before you decide what you like best.
Reining is a good one to start because you don’t need cattle.
Ranch classes, reining has some now also, are even easier, not as technical as far as reining, but require acquiring other skills, also fun to cross train.
If you like to really get into it, reining is very specific and technical and humbling, is not as easy to do right as it looks, but is very satisfying when you and your horse can get it right.
I see riders that smile for hours after a good try.
