Ha ha ha!

             Wow I didn't expect this many people to answer! Well I'm sure whatever it is you ride, you rhorse has fun with you! Keep on riding!

 Most of my riding has been in a classic(they'd don't say "English" in France,) sense but I really got into riding over here so I didn't really have much choice.  I did do a few months of Western Riding on some very good horses and it was TONS OF FUN.  I guess I would love to be able to do both but must say that I prefer English or Classic Riding because of the jumping and doing a bit of dressage.

 I admire anyone who does either well and respect all who practice this sport...rr

 I appreciate QUALITY riding in any discipline, Western, English, whatever, and it's a joy to watch.  Personally, I ride English.  I have never found Western saddles comfortable or effective for the things I like to do.  I am a converted eventer, so galloping a XC course is my idea of perfection in a horse activity.  I also do a lot of trail riding and dressage and in each I am most comfortable and secure in an English saddle, close to my horse and ready for anything!

   I ride western and english.  It mostly depends on the horse I'm riding at the time and what he/she is used to.  I think that the horse really decides western or english for me.  I ride them, see how they move and go from there.  As long as it involves a well behaved horse, me, and a nice day, it really doesn't matter much; western or english.

BuckskinPaint:

As long as it involves a well behaved horse, me, and a nice day, it really doesn't matter much; western or english.

GOOD POINT BSP!  Variety is the spice of life!

BuckskinPaint:

As long as it involves a well behaved horse, me, and a nice day, it really doesn't matter much; western or english.

 Hit the nail on the head!

For me I ride western. I have no problem with English and I think it is beautiful. My western saddle is equiped for all my gear....rope, water bottle, blanket, saddle bags with my cell, food and first aid kit. When we do our all day rides we camp where there is grass and stay over night.

I ride Western.  Didn't do a lot of lessons or anything. Western is what my parents both rode when they were kids, thats what I always wanted to ride. I'm a tomboy and a bit of a cowgirl.  I ride simply for pleasure and I love trying new things with my arab. 

Like some of the other posters though, the majority of my rides are bareback.  I just love the feel of connecting with the horse like that.  Plus it takes less prep time and slightly less cleanup :) I think my horse really likes it when I ride bareback.  Can't beat jumping on the horse for a pressure free, fun filled gallop across the field

I ride English during lessons and Western on the trail (though I rode English on the trail once with no problem). I prefer English since that's what I started out learning from my first lesson. I love to jump and I like the lighter English saddles and using both hands on the reins. I feel like I have more of a connection with the horse while riding English. Plus - and this may be a bit superficial - I love the English turn-out better than Western. Western turn-out is just too flashy and "country" for me.

Alright, I learned to ride in a western saddle on one of the calmest arabs ( he was 29) in 2004 i bought my first horse, Fantacy my 1/2 Saddlebred 1/2 Arab, and only my English saddle fit him becuase of his high withers so i became thre fearless girl that would gallop down the trails and barrel race in an english saddle :)

 Then in 2005 i bought CB, my other 1/2 saddlebred 1/2 arab, and he had only been ridden saddleseat, so i took that up, since i had always thought it looked so cool and fun. but i also used my huntseat saddle on him.

To this day fantacy rides bareback when I VERY RARELY ride him. CB is almost always Huntseat for showing, occasionally saddleseat, and western for speed events

I prefer my English huntseat saddle over any western saddle i've ever ridden in. but trails are always western since i was trown last year 

JanieJane96:

Plus - and this may be a bit superficial - I love the English turn-out better than Western. Western turn-out is just too flashy and "country" for me.

I understand totally JanieJane - I feel exactly the same about English, it's a bit too "proper" and "reserved" for me!  :0)  But like another posted added, I think it's beautiful and love to watch it too.

I ride western cause it just feels better to me.  I like the more secure seat/stirrups.  In english I feel loose and out of control! 

I have a lightweight cordura western saddle that came with my first horse, the polish arab.  It's only about 17 lbs and quite manageable.  Turns out it never did fit that horse, however it is a perfect fit for my second horse, the peruvian!  I had it measured by a pro saddler.  Here I thought I was going to have to buy a peruvian saddle for $600 plus dollars.  Anyway it's an awesome little saddle and I'm quite pleased with it.  Also my peruvian was never finished in bit so I ride with a hack and he does great. 

My one sister rides in an all around wintec english saddle and likes it.  My other sis uses a wintec aussie and thinks it's the best thing.  The wintecs are also very lightweight and well made.   

myhorsesandy:

 Do you ride Western or English, and why? Please don't criticize others' opinions. I just want to see which is more popular. Not that this would prove it, but hey, it's worth a try.

 

             Me.......... I ride Western, because I've been riding that way my whole life, and why change now? I like the whole "cowboy" theme, and like living on the age rather then neat and tidy! I do like the neatness of the English riding, however, I enjoy Western. What about you??????????????

I started out riding in a hunt saddle but being taught a lot of saddleseat riding. It led to some confusing times, especially in my canter work. Then I went to a treeless endurance saddle for a while. Now, I'm pretty much straight english, either dressage or hunt seat. I used to work as a trail guide for a local riding place. Saddling up 20 some horses every day with those big western saddles really turned me off, lol. Also, I have yet to ride in a western saddle that felt comfortable, I always feel like my knee is twisted funny and I'm reaching for my stirrups and for some reason I feel less secure in a western saddle than I do in an english. I guess it is just because that is what I'm used to. (Although I find bailing from an english saddle much easier than a western one and I guess I like to have that option.) I do love the look of the western riders, though, lots of color and fun. Oh and I did teach my horse to neck reign and that is VERY handy!

I ride western well just cause thats how ive been brought up. it would be hard to rope and doctor calves in an english saddle. I dont know if i can name anbody i know who owns or rides and english saddle. I would love to try it sometime but i think i would put my legs in an uncomforable position.