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.

Over the last century, barrel racing has become one of the most popular events in rodeo. Requiring extreme speed, precision, and agility on the horse, it is an event that pushes riders to perfect the course and to hone their athleticism. With informal roots that grew into a major tradition in the rodeo community, discover our guide to barrel racing and learn more about this exciting rodeo event.

Western Pleasure is a well-known western riding discipline that aims to emphasise a horse’s smoothness, responsiveness, and calm disposition whilst being ridden. As the name suggests, it is designed for riders to showcase how much of a pleasure their horse is to ride. The ability of the horse to provide a comfortable ride in all three gaits – a walk, a jog, and a lope – is the main element judged in this popular western discipline.

The vibrant cowboy culture and western lifestyle has certainly seen a recent resurgence in popularity - from fashion to music, western influences have really been embraced in recent years. And this includes western riding, where popularity has grown both in the US and internationally. But what is western horse riding as a style? 

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