A Guide to Western Riding

What is Western Riding?

Western riding is a style of riding originating from the American West. It was originally used by cowboys for their practical ranch work and is a more relaxed, comfortable way to ride. The emphasis was always to be able to control the horse using as few cues as possible, and you’ll usually see riders using one hand on the reins. This is just one of the ways that makes it distinguishable from English riding.

What is Western Performance?

You’ll often hear the term western performance used when referring to this particular style of riding, and whilst traditional western riding and western performance riding are closely related, there are different focuses to each. Western performance encompasses the more competitive side of western riding, as well as those who live and work on a ranch. It involves specific western riding disciplines designed to showcase both the riders’ and the horses’ athleticism, agility, and control through different movements and tasks. 

What are the Disciplines of Western Performance? 

Barrel Racing

This fast-paced rodeo event involves rider and horse racing around barrels in the quickest time they can, without knocking any of the barrels over. Barrel racing is all about speed, agility, and precision. 

Reining

Reining is a more controlled western competition, where riders guide their horses through precise movements and patterns to showcase a horse's responsiveness and performance. These patterns might include spins, circles, and sliding stops, and cues from rider to horse should be minimal. 

Western Pleasure

This discipline is all about smooth, effortless riding. Within the Western Pleasure competition, riders will take their horse through walking, jogging, and loping whilst judges rate smoothness, demeanour, and overall performance of movements and responses to cues. 

Equitation

Performing specific manoeuvres, Equitation is another discipline based on skill, style, and control. It is all about technique; riders must navigate a course, with judges looking out for good posture, control, and the overall skill shown in handling the horse.

Cutting

This western riding discipline is about rider and horse working together to ‘cut’, or separate, a specific cow from a herd. The duo must keep the cow away from the herd for a set amount of time, and success in Cutting is defined by a horse’s responsiveness and a rider’s skill. 

The Popularity of Western Riding

Whilst Western Riding has seen a natural increase in popularity alongside the ever-growing love for cowboy culture, the style of riding is also becoming increasingly popular because of its accessibility and more leisurely feel. 

Accessibility

Typically, because of its more relaxed style, Western Riding is generally defined as more beginner-friendly than other styles of riding. With a more comfortable saddle that is typically larger and feels more secure, it’s often thought to be easier to master the basics of Western Riding because the western saddle feels a lot more secure. This makes it a more accessible discipline for beginners. 

Recreational & Trail Riding

The relaxed, comfortable style of Western riding is perfect for longer, trail riding which has seen an increase in popularity. Western riding appeals to a broader market of recreational riders who ride for pleasure. 

Cultural Allure 

Cowboys and the western lifestyle have a romantic appeal, and the increasing popularity of Western related fashion, music, and on-screen entertainment has just drawn more attention to Western Riding. 

Western Performance

Events such as rodeos, barrel racing, reining, and cutting bring in large audiences with vibrant environments and exciting entertainment, only adding to the draw of riding western.  

What do Western Riders Wear?

Western riding fashion is very different to English riding. Western riding clothing has a distinct ‘cowboy’ feel to it, with riders often opting for riding jeans, country shirts and jackets. It’s about embracing the western feel but also feeling comfortable. We’d pair these M1 Vintage Treven Straight jeans with a classic flannel to get that truly western feel. To top off the outfit, you can’t forget a traditional Western hat.  

Riders also opt for different toe shapes including pointed or square-toed Cowboy boots. These will feature a slight heel, both for style and practicality in the stirrup. You’ll likely see most riders wearing a more traditional brown boot, like the Rambler Western Boot, however others opt for coloured styles, like our bold Futurity Rider Western Boot, and intricately detailed designs too - take the Ryman Western Boot as inspiration.