Help me try something new - suggestions wanted!

[JustJumpIt!]

So I'm definitely too broke to pay to ride, which is why I end up riding the mishmash of horsies I do, but I had a recent birthday (uh-oh, the big three-oh) and with it a little birthday money. I've spent most of my riding life riding dressage horses and eventers (through PSG and prelim, so I'm not a beginner), with a little western as a kid (barrels were fun!).

I'd like to spend the money trying out something new. Reining, saddleseat, gaited horses, sidesaddle, driving, etc. - help me choose!

I need your help:
1) choosing something fun to try with a horse!
2) finding a reputable place to do it in Northern Virginia.
3) finding a place with decent school horses that will be fine with teaching someone who can only afford to come for a couple of lessons.

Give me your recommendations! And don't laugh when I make a fool of myself on some cute little QH! :lol:

[ChocoMare]

Hmmm, if it were me, I would try Cutting Horses. :winkgrin:

Can't help you otherwise but will encourage you to get out there, try whatever you want and have fun! :cool:

[mvp]

A nice problem to have and I have always taken opportunities to ride outside the box when I could.

I'd rank them this way:

Cutting horse-- it's amazing to sit on a horse that's doing his job without you.

Reining horse-- go see how dressage is done by the other half.

Gaited horses-- I want to feel the Big Lick (or something close) and I want to at least look into how these guys think about training horses.

Most important, though, you need to find the right trainer. You will have the best time with the top person in his or her discipline who can put you on a made horse.

Don't be shy about that. When I was in Santa Fe one summer I found the best tack shop, then asked those guys for the name of the best reining trainer in town. I called her up, explained my deal and desire, and she very kindly hooked me up with the "Here's what you've been missing"/dime bag of a lesson. Just go find the best and you'll be happy.

[Hunter Mom]

I am so jealous! I grew up riding Arabs & Saddlebreds, so did the "all around" kind of thing. I learned so much from everything I dabbled in, which was a lot! Do you want something that you can do with your current horses? What I'd try again...

Sidesaddle - very fun, old-school elegant and a lot harder than it looks. However, you could possibly ride your own aside if you got hooked.

Saddleseat - again, very fun. Riding a big, powerful ASB is very neat, and gives a good adrenaline rush.

What I've always wanted to do but haven't - cutting horses. They just look like they'd be so much fun, too!

[ReSomething]

For something you can have fun with in just one or two tries I'd go with gaited, maybe on a trail ride because gaiting a longish distance is exhilarating. It's amazing how fast they go and how smooth it is.

If you say you've been doing dressage then you could try saddleseat on ASB's, it is real fun, but for me the position was sufficiently different that I still haven't moved up to a five-gaited horse. Those saddles are flat flat flat and the position is very erect, not intuitive for H/J folks so it takes a while.

Driving, fun fun fun, lord did my arms get tired holding the reins up! And very fun in the summer, you are basically resting and the speed gets you a nice breeze, if you use a large enough cart your instructor can set alongside of you and trade the reins back and forth so you get the full experience the whole time. Learning how to put on the harness is a lesson unto itself though. A couple of lessons.

Have fun!

[KateKat]

oooo, sounds like fun! I've always wanted to ride a reiner so that would be high on my list. Also, I think every person should at least try a gaited horse once. I rode a TWH a little while back and holy schmolies, when I buy a trail horse they are top of my list. Silky smoothness at canter speed!

[ChocoMare]

Or a Speed Racker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DytqyLjJd0A)!!!!!

[Long Spot]

Cutting would be my first personal choice. Just looove those horses.

Reining would be a close second.

How about Polo? That's a hoot as well.

What a cool idea you have. Hope you find something wonderful to try and have a great time. And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

[JumpWithPanache]

I'd go for the driving first... but I'm biased, I used to drive multiples and it was AWESOME! When I can no longer ride, I'm selling all my gear, buying a pair of large ponies, and doing some CDEs! Seriously though, it is truly a challenge to manage the rhythm of your horse and his pulling strength at precise moments, to negotiate obstacles when you have the width of your carriage and the pivot point between horse and carriage, and to do it all through voice and hand commands. Check out the Potomac River Driving Association to find drivers near you! http://www.prda-inc.org/

Cutting would definitely be something to splurge on too though! Boarded at a cutting barn for a short period of time but never got the chance to try it. Looks like something that would be fun to try a couple times.