Learn how to fit cowgirl & cowboy boots. You'll find out how the boots should fit & which toe shape you should choose.
Learn how to fit cowgirl & cowboy boots. You'll find out how the boots should fit & which toe shape you should choose.
With cowboy culture on the rise in the UK, Western riding has also been growing in popularity over the years. Taking inspiration from the Western equestrian traditions of the United States, there are plenty of spectacular Western riding competitions and events to enjoy the sport..
Join us as we look at the Western Riding events around the UK for British lovers of Western riding to enjoy and compete in. If you are looking for great places to ride Western in the UK and Europe, you can check out our guide to Western riding venues.
Cowboys are one of the most identifiable images within culture. From spaghetti Western movies to playground games, from young children to grown adults, cowboy culture is something that we all know a little bit about. However, most don’t know the history of the cowboy, where cowboys come from, or how the culture of cowboys and Western lifestyles has developed over time.
The design of cowboy boots was hugely inspired by early European riding boots, particularly those of the Spanish vaqueros, who wore heeled, leather boots for managing cattle and riding through tougher terrains – these boots were known as ‘botas vaqueras’. Originally designed for practicality and durability, they evolved to become a western style staple.
Equitation is a western riding discipline that emphasises the art of horse riding and the practice of horsemanship. Focusing on how skilfully a rider is positioned and moves while riding their horse, the discipline tests a rider’s precision and form. There are a number of different events within equitation, all of which vary very slightly in how they put riders to the test. But all equitation events aim to highlight the form, cleanliness, precision, and presentation of a rider.
Here we explore equitation in detail, including the different events within the discipline and what makes a good equitation horse.
Originating from ranching practices in the American West, horse cutting is an equestrian sport that perfectly captures the cowboy culture. It focuses on the ability of a horse and rider to separate a single cow from a herd and prevent it from returning to the group. The Western discipline is a competitive event that tests the agility, intelligence, and partnership between horse and rider.
With deep roots in Western culture, cutting has evolved to become an exciting competition where specialised cutting horses are trained to manoeuvre and control cattle. These horses are often bred and trained specifically, so that they have the athleticism, responsiveness, and intelligence needed to anticipate a cow's movements and successfully cut them from the herd.
In modern competition, the goal is to keep the cow separated for a set period of time, known as a “run”, during which the rider and horse demonstrate this control and finesse.
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Whilst Western Riding is typically synonymous with ranches of the American West, with growing recognition globally and an increased popularity in cowboy culture, it has found a thriving home in the UK and Europe.
The unique style of Western Riding, paired with the variety of disciplines, is what makes it so appealing to both experienced and novice riders. The excitement that comes with rodeo and the on-trend cowboy culture also draws big crowds, whilst the leisurely pace of trail riding – associated closely with the laidback western discipline – means Western riding really does have something for everyone. So it’s no wonder that it is growing globally in popularity.
Thinking about giving Western Riding a go? Let’s take a look at some of the most popular places in the UK and Europe to get started.
There is something special about the relationship between man and horse – with such a strong bond, it is no wonder that equestrian sports have become popular around the world in different forms.
Both the UK and USA have a long-standing tradition of horse-riding sports, with plenty of fans following the major events. With particularities specific to English riding vs Western riding, let’s explore the key differences between the two.
