Swapping Saddles : PART 1 (English vs Western) 

These people crack me up. I ride both western and english and honestly they are both equally amazing styles. I don't think western riders are "dirty" or english riders are "too preppy".

These two girls' attitudes are the reason there is a rivalry. They follow the snobby stereotypes on both sides of the spectrum. They just don't get it. A good horseman is a good horseman, saddle aside.

I HATE the how we can't all just agree to disagree. I ride both English and Western, and they both have their ups and downs. But seriously, WE ALL DO WORK AND WE ALL LOVE OUR HORSES

I was really excited about this concept....until i watched the video. This is exactly whats wrong with the horse community. Rather than this being a learning experience for everyone, they were just trashing "the other side". I was most shocked by the attitude of the western trainer. Her comments were rude and immature. A horse is a horse for god's sake, it doesn't matter what saddle you put on it. Its time for people to let go of these stereotypes and come together as ONE community.

wow. stupidest competition ever. from someone who has competed in English and western, and from someone who rides at a barn with both and multiple horse knowing both I don't agree with any of the stereotypes the girls mention. People prefer different styles for different reasons, but that doesn't mean there is a "great divide" between the two.

I don't understand why in the intro all English riders are portrayed as snobby posh speakers and Western riders are seen as someone with a heavy western accent? I ride english but I don't think it's any better than western! I would love to try western but there is no schools near me that teach it:(

They should have done something like a hunter instead of a timed jumping event. Because anyone can run over jumps, but it's a lot harder to do it correctly.

They are both beautiful in their own way!

English riding in america is alot different from riding english in england. Here we all enjoy making fun of our riding, hacking out and galloping across fields standing up out of the saddle and jump logs and xc jumps in the woods. Not many of us ride as seriously as the english riders in the US

I dont believe that the jumper was a good representation of the English riding population. Every rider is tough, we handle horses we have to be tough! And English riders are not that snooty. We are quite humble and enjoy some healthy competition.

@DeathKitty123456 not all English riders in the US ride like that girl. We are not snobby or conceited or mean. That's just a stupid stereo type created by people who watch these videos and make assumptions. Yes there are some snobby pompous people, but there are also plenty in England also. Learn to stop trusting the stereo types on the Internet

Really barrel racing takes no skill? Haha you're funny. To be a GOOD barrel racer it takes plenty of skill. That's not to say that there are some people out there that "barrel race" and are completely horrid riders, have terrible eq, and have no business ripping their horse around a pattern. There are. I have seen them. Those kind of people are the first ones today act big, bad, and tough and bash English riders. I rode English for 6 years and have been barrel racing for the last 4-5.

i have trained with both trainers before, Dana was MEAN

Next do dressage vs herding cattle!

I understand safety is an issue but it wasn't exactly an equal competition on either side. Oh and worst of all is how stereotyped it was. I look forward to seeing more, I just hope they're a bit nicer to each other and fair. I'd love to see reining vs dressage, or hunter under saddle vs western pleasure. They can be a bit more equally compared. In the end both disciplines are different. Though what they share is the amazing love of horses. So I'd rather not see such segregation between the two.

love both styles but not fair in this case the jumps are tiny and not hard but when she did western she only got one sec under I think she wins. grayson should have done hunter jumping then the English rider should have won

I will say that in barrels it is extremely easy to turn too sharp and you and your horse can get seriously injured. ive never tried jumping but I imagine you can get hurt easily as well

lol as watching this I was like naaahhhh that's stupid to have such a rivalry. Both discipline's take skills, learning and a level head. One isn't better then the other. Its how you treat your horse and how you ride, by showing that you have a relationship with the horse and are not going to abuse while riding. I've never thought Western wasn't good enough or English was better. Even though I prefer dressage....But then I looked at the comments and it showed I was wrong. There is a stupid rival

im a western girl and i do cross country and dressage and it just as hard

I ridden and shown English and Western and they both have their easy parts and their hard parts. PLEASE don't say one is easier than the other.

The hardeste part of jumping is the distance. If you cant see and fix the distances then you are screwed. You cant just run at the jump and hold on.

I RIDE BOTH, I GOT ENGLISH BOOTS AND COW BOY BOOTS YAY

That is true, jumping is harder than barrel racing, though both are quite difficult

Thank you for your feedback. Safety was at the top of our priority list when filming this pilot episode, so we focused on technique with the jumper and speed with the barrel racer. Moving forward we will be putting a great deal of emphasis on the judging and comparing of the disciplines to make it as fair as possible. Thank you again and stay tuned for more!

I've ridden both all of my life and sometimes mixed and matched tack and styles. I personally can't see how one is 'better' than the other. They are two styles, worlds apart, and were created and honed for entirely different purposes. Apples and oranges, people.

I think they should of done reining or cutting or another cowhorse event for western

It was a joke -_-. I think they meant to say that they don't want them to just switch styles suddenly.

Honestly this is true. I used to do English then switched to Western, and now I'm back to English. Even with just one English lesson I could feel that I was doing much more, and actually learning. I find English more active and challenging :)

I know there are other comments about this, but I just wanted to mention it again: I don't understand why there is such a big rivalry. I think it is fine if you think your discipline is harder, but there is no need to be all 'the other discipline is so easy compared to mine. All who do Western/English are stupid and suck'. Honestly, why? Especially if you have never tried the other discipline.

Being a Bisaddular rider, LOVE THIS. Definitely think the barrel racers gonna win, though. The english girl is a snob.

I think the western riding was more respectful of the other rider. That shows character

to be honest I hate tacking up with my western saddle because its heavy. Whenever I have to lug that thing around I joke about switching to english

you don't just sit there in western, it's just as difficult for the rider and horse as it is in English, especially cutting and barrel racing!

I ride western, and it's never 'just sitting there.' Never.

I think they should try switching a Reiner and a dressage rider. That switch would be really interesting since they say Reining is like dressage in the western world :)

we were new so i just rode what i got and that was saddleseat

yea they are heavy, but they give us girls muscles!! lol

Exactly. She just pissed me off, saying how easy it was and how her jumping horse could do that, bla bla bla, but the Western rider was actually modest about it.

"$1000 will buy you a lot of horse shoes." LOL no.

@southernwolven I have no doubt that jumping is a hard discipline to perfect. But u said that English riding is harder than "just sitting there" referring to western. Well, if u were just sitting there, I don't think you were doing it right

Can't wait to see part two!

I agree... it doesn't take much to barrel race but when it comes to cows and actual "western" riding it takes a lot more skill. My horses all have to jump in a western saddle across stuff that is not as nicely placed on flat ground. Barrels is NOT a good example of western riding

both are equally awesome!

there are both as hard

i board right across the river bed from this place, everyone who boards there trats me like crap, they are so snobby and bratty "im so perfect" type girls, makes me mad :$

Most girls I know that go into barrel racing their trainers have them take english lessons so they can learn balance and other things to help them with barrel racing.

@southernwolven If u were just sitting there you obviously werent doing it right.

Oh so there saying I'm not smart cause she sayde until she became smart enough she switched over to western

well you do have to remember that she's never been taught to jump correctly

The point isnt just jumping over them, theres a certain proper technique to jumping. especially in an english saddle. I normally ride western but am trying to learn some english, i want some experience in dressage and jumping. and you could also say the same for barrels, ive barrel raced on my horse too and its about the same level as jumping. you have to make tiny little adjustments to balance and where your body is, which just isnt as obvious as jumping higher jumps.

I really want to learn how to show jump, but I also want to learn how to do barrels. But I most likely need to learn now to stay on the damned horse at canter first I thing xD

Looking forward to part 2. I've done both barrel racing and jumping and know the difficulty level of both. However I think the weatern rider is going to have a harder time jumping. I already like this show :).

What a teaser!! Is the Part 2 coming on Next Monday??

I hardly see how focusing on speed in barrels is a result of a safety concern

ive ridden both style and love both started english so always do things proper

When does part 2 come out?

I wish I'd known about this!!! I would have signed up myself and my girls. I can ride anything in any saddle, as can my girls. English, Western, Dressage, Barrels, Eventing, Team Penning. Doesn't matter. We can ride it!! Over fences. Dragging cattle. No worries. I wish I'd found out sooner. Does anyone know how to find out about these things?

well jumping is great all but if u were just sitting there when you were running barrels, I don't think you were doing it right.

Part 2 comes out on Monday, October 22nd. Make sure you tune in!

yes I somewhat agree but in the barrels you have to be about speed and tight turns while giving your horse more head room someone not used to speed or tight turns might be nervous and grab at the head which could make it just as dangerous in a way because if the horse is not solidly trained to have someone on and off there heads then it may cause them to act up some for example the may rear or the horse could trip but I don't think jumping is any less dangerous there is more time for accidents

I've trained in and competed in both of these events at different times in my life and let me just say that jumping is MUCH more difficult than barrel racing, even those tiny little jumps, and even with a seasoned jumper. Many more things can go wrong while jumping than when barrel racing, when the rider is inexperienced.

i would say keep the height the same for the fences for safety i have done both western and english and i think it is even

I think actually the English rider is doing Equitation as opposed to Hunters or Jumpers. It focuses all on the rider. Only because the horse is wearing a martingale and those aren't allowed in the hunters.

Awsome show

i started english at age 8. i began with dressage. then at age 11 i switched to western. i am 18 now and tried to ride english for the first since 11 about year ago. i must've looked like an idiot! xD i don't know for the life of me how i every won all the ribbons and awards. lol english is so much different than barrels. lol but stangly similar. the biggest ajustment is the saddle western DOES have more to hang onto not just the horn but more sturdy i guess. english is hold on for dear life.

I agree that,although it was a cute,fun little match,this really wasn't fair in the slightest and although we do realize that Safety is foremost...Countless western horse-people jump all the time in their own rides..Even on trails you have to jump creeks,ditches,logs etc,etc.When they were competing in the different events they should really have had the same obstacles!!. Especially since a lot of the training/talent is the horse itself!!

there are only 3 barrels, but there are many jumps, and her horse and she isn't trained for jumping. so it isn't safe for the horse or her to do so. I am sure you are a English rider. I will remain as a Western Boy :)

I semi agree. But at least are being sports about it and attempting each others discipline. The english rider was a bit cocky about going to run barrels which wasnt needed.

There's more to English riding than jumping and dressage, too. Have them ride saddle seat and see how they do there.

What a snooty person that English rider is! "Oh my jumping horse could cruise around those barrels faster than that." ... "3 barrels? Cake" What a rude person. She didn't take this challenge seriously at all and I'm glad she didn't win (in Part 2). She's the type of English rider that give the rest of English riders a bad reputation for being snooty, uptight, and thinking the world revolves around them.

they higher the fences she might not make it lol

"I'm pretty sure I can do this"

Whoops... I see now that she actually is doing jumpers ;) my fault!

18 inch barrels would actually be much harder to maneuver around. Just sayin' ;)

if you are a good and true horse rider, you can do any displine in any saddle or even without. so this is stupid. love not hate people.

The English girl isn't on a fully broke barrel horse. She's not going nearly as fast as the Western girl did, so it is fair, I think.

while I realize it takes a great deal of skill to do barrels, it does not require even half of the sophistication, knowledge,or finesse that hunters do. If the barrel racer gets 18 inch jumps, the english rider should get 18 inch barrels. Just saying

honestly if you were going to focus on technique you would do "Hunters" instead of "Jumpers" which is what the english rider actually does. In Hunter riding it isn't about time or not knocking rails it is about being elegant and performing correctly. A hunter rider has to do a course of jumps on the correct lead and with the correct striding between jumps and get proper distances in front of jumps All the barrel racer has to do is go around barrels as fast as they can without knocking any over.

thank you for proving that english > western :)

This was really well done.... ENGLISH IS BETTER! xD

All barrel riders start with the clover leaf pattern. English riders (hunters, jumping etc) don't start with 3 foot jumps. You can't expect someone who to start with high fences now can you?

It's all about personal preference. Honestly, I hate english riding. I did it for about a year and actually tried the whole jumping thing and I found it boring as all get out. It was not challenging as some of y'all try to make it out to be. Not for me anyways. I now barrel race and find IT more challenging and I love the speed and adrenaline ! No way I'll ever climb into an english saddle again.

I know, she's the kind of person that gives us a bad reputation. Plus that time allowed was a really long time, jumper shows around here wouldn't let her poke around the course that long!

western.

She's not going full speed. That's not fast at all. And the turns are very sloppy....I think it was fair match. Tiny jumps, slower horse.

omg show jumping isnt just about going around the course. you have to have finesse and you have to have timing. you cant just go gallop around. you also have to have good position. im not dissing western, i think all horseback riding is difficult, but show jumping isnt as easy as it seems. ive also have had experience with both show jumping and barrel racing.

Cindy Forrest seems a bit bitter....

What?! the western girl only has to jump little 18 inch jumps?! The english girl has to do the exact same barrels??? doesn't seem like a fair match to me

Wrong. You can't jump in a western saddle, it gets in your way. Jump without a saddle? Yes.

The western girl needs to loosen up.. The dark side?? English is wayy better... I have ridden both.. English riders HAve ALOT of fun!! We just consentrate and the horses dont do everything for us like western. We are a team!

*western

I agree with the western trainer that English riders don't look like they are having fun. Then they have to get all dressed up just to go for a simple ride, and they won't loosen the reins!! So I'm all for western riding!

Funny that you have a bronc picto up there at the beginning. Rodeo broncs aren't being ridden. Perhaps you could flank both the horses, see what happens to both riders? Rodeo folk might notice that the English horse bucks as well, yet, gasp, he wasn't "born to". Broncs aren't riding. They are the opposite. But wouldn't it be fun to see what happens? Not really. Unless you like to get grit between your teeth, and probably not get paid for it. Thanks.

That's not a fair match to say the least. There's more to English then those little jumps. Have the western girl do cross country or dressage. Or at least higher the fences!!

western rocks

Go english :).

i will alway disagree with anyone who says western is better than english because english is cleaner and BETTER than western to me that is just how it is because when u are in a western saddle u ride sloppy but english is nice and smooth and pretty. I LOVE ENGLISH!!!!!! and english ( dressage, jumping ect.) is way more complicated!

Both riders made really silly, immature remarks about the others discipline. A true horse person would know the value in all styles of riding and the difficulties of each. BUT isn't that what reality shows are about? Not value, just entertainment.

i will alway disagree with anyone who says western is better than english because english is cleaner and BETTER than western to me that is just how it is because when u are in a western saddle u ride sloppy but english is nice and smooth and pretty. I LOVE ENGLISH!!!!!!

man, i hate how western thinks english is meant for uptight people who don't have. Not every western people, just the ones in the video.