Short post today because in just a few minutes I’m off to
Oklahoma City for IEA Western National Finals, which are held in conjunction
with the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Reining Derby.
As I was packing my blue jeans and boots last night, I
was thinking that one of the coolest things about the IEA and IHSA is that hunt
seat riders can experiment with western, and western riders can take a shot at hunt
seat without the commitment of buying or leasing a horse or tack.
At no other time in your equestrian career will riding
and showing in a different discipline be so easy. All you have to provide is your clothing. Quite honestly, with my IHSA team at least, many of the riders share show
clothes so there is very little they actually have to purchase.
You can start out with a lesson or two just to see if
it’s up your alley. Then, once you have a few rides under your belt, you can go to a show and compete in a division
suitable to your experience in the new discipline. Don’t worry, just because you may be an advanced
hunt seat rider doesn’t mean you’re going to be thrown into the show pen with
AQHA world show qualifiers, and you western riders don’t have to worry about
competing against Maclay veterans in the hunt seat ring.
Learning a second discipline can make you a more
rounded athlete as you work to develop the skills associated with the other
seat. It can also foster team spirit as
the western riders cheer on the hunt seat riders who have joined them in their
arena, and vice versa.
Also, competing in a different discipline can be a fun
challenge without the stress that goes along with working to place well in your
regular discipline. You can just relax
and have a good time without points and qualifying weighing you down.
I encourage all my riders to take some time to try
something new. Who knows? You might even end up at the NRHA Reining
Derby.
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