Looking to get back into the western world

I am currently looking to get back into the western disciplines professionally.

There seem to always be folks in TX looking for loper/groom type people at reining or cutting operations. Does anybody here have experience with those jobs? Would they consider someone who has a NH background, but has mostly been riding warmbloods (jumpers and dressage) for the past 15 years?

You might check out Larry Gonzalez. He’s a doll, great horseman, and he has been exposed to dressage. He started some horses for me about 14 years ago and has a really good NH background…maybe he can help.

http://gonzalezcuttinghorses.com/about_us

The reining trainers I have been exposed to seem to be very accepting of people coming over from Dressage. There’s a lot of training to undo, as I found, but once you can remember to stop bending the horse around your inside leg, you’re generally golden. :slight_smile: I actually find they are more reticent about ‘all that natural horsemanship stuff.’ Which I found sort of odd and fascinating…

Hmmm interesting, thanks folks.

Having come from a hunter jumper background, I now ride for a reining trainer. He was super open minded about me converting and teaching me.
Hardest things for me were:
-remembering that it was all about keeping my hands out in front of me, and lifting my horses shoulders, instead of drawing back into a frame.
-moving my legs. Oh my god. All the years of equitation lessons. Chuck them out the window. Make your legs move.
-hmm, it was hard for me to ride with limited to no bit contact. I’m getting a lot better now.

Check out Jack Brainard via his website. He is wonderful in his discipline and very well connected. If you show him you are good AND hardworking, he is willing to help. He has a couple of ladies currently working for him that might me able to advise as well/