I think it's really hard to pick one discipline. I've done western, English, bareback (yes, I think that is a discipline in itself!), and mounted games. I can't very easily say which one I like best...they all have their charms!!
Good article; I agree with Cheyenne. All disciplines are great. I like show jumping, but I also enjoy pleasure/trail riding.
I rode saddle seat as well when I was the same age; best I can manage now is to stay on top; wish I were able to do more than I do, but even a good curry is pleasurable - just to be in the company of a horse will always be special
Yes, I do honestly get stereotypical thoughts branching in my mind when I hear that someone trail rides. I only then carry the conversation up a few notches to see if I may have jumped the gun on my opinion of them. If the person proves that they really do know a thing or two about horses, then my stereotype is typically rooted out of my thoughts. (I would consider bareback a sport. XD It is just as --if not more, difficult than riding with a saddle. If you really want to get extreme, free-riding would be the most natural and what I would consider one of the funnest ways to ride. )
I had trouble answering the poll too. I ended up choosing other. I like to ride as many different styles and disciplines as possible. I don't compete. I just love riding and horses. And driving!
I can certainly relate to the author of this article! I definitely envy those who have chosen a discipline and stuck to it (my gelding probably wishes I would have done the same!) I started out being a western pleasure rider, loved riding saddle seat, dabbled in gaming, tried riding a reining horse, trail ride mostly... So whenever a site asks me my preferred discipline, I usually choose a different answer every time!
I definitely can identify myself as a rider under English discipline. Been riding that way for all of my life, trained lots of young and older horses that way and also competed in showjumping events. Where I currently train horses, some other trainers ride under western discipline. Huge difference in the training mode, leg and rein support between the English and Western. Just as one example: we collect horses using lots of leg aids with the legs always connected to the barrells of the horse, and hands with soft connection to the bit, or noseband (if you ride bitless). The Western rider doesn't collect the horse, has less connection with the bit just when they want to stop or turn, also they keep their legs away from the sides of the horse and just touch the sides when they want the horse move faster. (That's what I saw from Western riders). I'm not saying if any of them is better than the other. It really depends on what would you like to achieve with your horse. What is your goal. Any horse that has been trained either under Western, or English discipline can be a great buddy for you on the trails, out in the country, in the arena. BUT, I do recommend to choose one discipline, especially if you plan to buy a young horse that needs to be trained. You have to pick one discipline to train the horse to. Otherwise he or she'll get confused of the different leg and rein aids you're giving, and will end up not understanding what you want from them.
I will never be able to make up my mind what discipline I ride. When people ask, I normally say eventer and or trick rider because they are my favorite, but I cant give up the others. The truth is I used to ride saddle seat, then I spent years at a western barn and joined a drill team, then bought a dressage horse that I trainer to ride western and we rode on the drill team (he was also my first vaulting horse). When he had to be put down, I bought my current horse. This year alone we have shown in open and state pleasure shows, hunter jumper shows and won equitation over fences champion at the state fair and his breed national show, dressage shows where we also have breed national champion titles and will be showing at USDF shows in the next few months, we ride on a flag drill team and trick riding drill team that perform all over the Midwest, he is an excellent vaulting horse, and event at horse trials (Our favorite). My horse and I love changing it up, it has helped both of us tremendously to ride different disciplines.
From Sarasota... Western riding adopts all the same principles from dressage, Cassandra, you must work in a barn full of back yard trainers. If you train at any discipline, this knowledge is basic, fundamental... But Sarasota, is full of yahoos. Unfortunately there is no regulation of who is calling themself a trainer or instructor, so this is an area that is a complete mess of riders with a know it all complex and no real knowledge. I attended the Mary Wanless clinic before I moved and the people attending were shouting questions while she was working with riders... That was it. That's what comes from this area. If there was SOME regulation of who trains and instructs, as it is in Canada, this wouldn't be such an issue.