I might be starting English lessons soon, and I'm nervous?

Question

I'm pretty confident with my riding skills - But I was taught western. I've loped and all that, but no formal lessons. My old barn friend's sister taught me on an evil lil stinker. xD haha.

I'm just nervous that I won't fit in, especially because I've only ridden English a few times...I'm more of a western person.

I really want to learn to jump and start showing, too. How long does it usually take to perfect leg position and your seat so you can jump?

Also, can anyone reccomend some nice riding gloves? I don't have them anymore, and I need some new scratch&dent paddock boots.

Thanks a TON!

Much Love,

Gina ♥

Answer 1

A while but remember it is not hard to learn how remember have a arched back insteaed of a straight back like western~!

Answer 2

same hear [but i have been riding english for 12 years now.] once you get the right leg position you will do fine btu dot kick as hard as you would in western. for your tack problem i would go to www.123tack.com have fun andtrust me you WILL fit in just be calm. :D

Answer 3

The only problem major problem I had going from western to english was sitting to far back. I had had a couple years of basic english when I was like 6 or 7 but not much of it stuck. I only had a little trouble fitting in. Mostly because I could ride and knew it but couldnt ride like them. I picked everything up fairly quickly (was jumping 2 foot courses in like 8 months) but you might move up faster or slower (no one ever has a perfect seat or leg by the way). If you are going to a hunter barn you can probably teach them a couple things as well. No one at my barn had ever heard of swinging up, riding in just a halter and lead or making your own trail (I call it trail whacking). They had always used their mounting blocks, a bridle and used trail cut by a tractor. Teaching the english horses to neck rein was...interesting. Just have fun with it and try to make some friends.

I like leather gloves and Ariat boots but I would suggest going to a tack store and just trying stuff on. I would also reccomend chaps.

Have fun!

Answer 4

I love english and I really think you will too. Don't be nervous about fitting in. Most horse people are very nice and open. Complement someone's horse and ask about them. We horse peolple love to talk about our horses and it will break the ice. It takes awhile to adjust to the different leg position but it will improve your seat a ton. I fyou can ride english you can ride anything. As for a time frame I can't tell you. I have never jumped, but you need very good balance and timing so you will just have to see.

I like leather gloves becasue they have good grip

have fun!

Answer 5

I think they're pretty different

jumping wise it all depends on how comfortable you are riding and what your instructor wants for us its usually at least a year before you start actually jumping but that year goes quick as you work through poles and stuff

Answer 6

Getting positions takes different amounts of time for different people. Seeing that you have ridden before, it will probably take you less time to adjust. You will be just fine. Relax and enjoy riding.

As for nice riding gloves, I really like SSG Gloves. http://www.ssgridinggloves.com/products....  I'm not sure exactly what kind you are looking for, but they have something for everyone.

As for paddock boots, just go with something comfortable. I never bought paddock boots because I was always a western rider, but I would assume you would search the same way.

Answer 7

some of the things are very different, but its still easy to pick up and learn if you've got the basics down in western.

as long as they aren't the sterotypical english s****. rich girls, and you aren't a total cowgirl, you'll fit in. (i'mkidding, i've never met people like that).

you don't necissarly have to perfect your leg too much to jump, it'll all come in time.

for gloves & boots go to dover. I can't see spending too much money on schooling gloves and all the cheap equestrian schooling gloves fall apart too fast so i get isotoner gloves. you can getthem at a department store. they look good for shows too and seem to hold up pretty well.

and i wear them year round

warm in winter

cool in summer

perfect

Answer 8

i've been riding since i was 3 and my leg position still has it's flaws. i ride 6 days a week, and usually do 2 lessons without stirrups. i couldn't really say how long it will take you to get a good leg position so you can start jumping. it depends on the horse you ride. if you have been riding western for a long time, it is a bit different, i must admit.. honestly i feel like there is not much discipline and western riding. it's basically just giddy up and go. you don't really have to look pretty and elegant, where in english its all about your position. having discipline to keep your heels down with shorter stirrups might be tough for you at first but i'm sure you'll get the hang of it pretty quick, especially if you've been riding for a while. it also depends on how many lessons a week you will be taking.

Answer 9

i havnt ridden western, only english but as you have ridden western before im sure you will find english easy! you asked how long it will take to get the leg position so you can start to jump well i think it depends what you do in your lessons, your seat should be easy to do as you have ridden before! if you are finding it tricky getting it all perfect then alot of ridding without stirrups will help to get that leg position perfect as your legs are dangling down relaxed let them flop about as you concentrate on getting a good seat imagion you are stuck to the saddle and move with the horse!! then when you get your stirrups back your leg position should be great! to start jumping your stirrups need to be shorter so take them up a few holes and try them out without a jump get the horse to trot or canter round and come out of yur saddle slightly like a jockey at the races and if it feels ok then it will be fine when jumping! take it slow! remember when jumping keep your heels down and give alot with your reins as you go over by pushing your hands forward, lean over from your hips and stay flat close to your horse!!  as you have ridden western before it wont take long for u to get the hang of it!! and you will fit it most people will have rode western and english aswel as you and they will be pleased your takin an interest in english riding too!! i say its good that your doing both!!  dont be nervous be confident that you will and can do it and have fun at the same time! just relax while riding and you will be fine!! good luck

Answer 10

Western isn't that different than English. I've ridden both. It will take a bit for you to adjust to the leg being more bent (shorter) but if you can get your butt in the saddle you will be fine!

Have fun! :)

Answer 11

at first it is a little nerve racking at first case you were taught first in western but english is good too

Answer 12

Don't be nervous! English is so fun! And go to www.englishtack.com