I want to start riding English, and I'd like some ideas on what I'll need. Does anyone know any good English tack companies? I would also appreciate anything else anyone could give me.

You don't have to buy the most expensive tack to enjoy riding and be a competent rider. Do get what is comfortable for you AND your horse. There are several good places to look: doversaddlery.com or statelinetack.com or equestriancollections.com and tacktrader.com for used items. I'm sure others will add there favs to this list. Have fun!

What kind of riding do you want to do? There are dressage saddles, jumping saddles, ect. If you're not sure, or would like to try out different ways, I suggest an all purpose saddle.

Jessi

If you don't want to start out putting alot of $$ into tack until you're sure what you want to do, try the Wintec line - they make good saddles, even though they are synthetic - they come with adjustable gullets and they are easier to care for than leather - unless you're in the right place at the right time to pick up a good used saddle (I got my Stubben AP from a friend of my instructor for a ridiculously low price): and an all purpose is a very good way to start; it gives you a deeper, more secure seat while you're learning and is realy good for hacking around the countryside. I know people at all levels of riding who have Wintecs, some just for schooling, some use them for showing.

Start with a good English trainer and don't be afraid to say you're not understanding something. I'm assuming you've been riding Western and there are big diffs in tack, seat, language, bit contact, etc. Your trainer may think you know more than you do if you have riding experience. I listen to Western riders and 3/4 of the time it sounds like they're speaking a foreign language.

Good luck whatever you decide... English is oodles of fun!

I actually did some English before, with a trainer. He'd done everything, and helped me with my western a lot. I did jumping, but since I never got to show in it, I didn't learn much about the rules. But I know how to jump, I did a little on my mare and I did it on a little pony they had who just LOVED to jump! And I know the parts of an english saddle, and also the different terms of gaits between western and english, so I'm not totally ignorant, just practically.

I would also suggest getting a Wintec saddle since they're cheaper. They also make Wintec bridles now too.

Some good places to look are www.doversaddlery.com, www.statelinetack.com, you could also look at local tack shops in you area.

I agree with mudypony. Wintec's are awesome and they are very easy to care for, plus they're affordable.

I'd rather get a leather saddle than wintec. I used a western wintec for awhile and didn't like it. I'd like to do jumping and rail work. I'd have to get a saddle I could work in and show in. My price limit would be 1 1/2 thousand dollars. Any suggestions on a kind? I just looked at dover saddlery's website, and the only AP I found that was above my price range and looked nice was by a company called Thorowgood. It's here at http://www.doversaddlery.com/thorowgood-t4-warmblood-all-purpose-saddle/p/X1-15607/cn/93/. Could you look at it and tell me what you think? Oh, and does it look synthetic to any of you?

I'm also gonna need a bridle, and I don't know what else I need. I don't know that Mom will let me find another trainer {we left that guy that taught me everything, but it wasn't because he was bad or anything, he was really good!}, so if you could recommend any books that would help me with all this I'd appreciate it.

Also, I'm wanting to show in English, so does anyone know of any good show clothes? And where can I find something to help teach me the rules? The more up-to-date the better. Thanks so much for all your help.

Dover and State Line Tack are pretty good English tack catalogs.

Do you want to know what you'll need as a rider or for the horse?

For a rider, the basic stuff you'll need are:
1} Either a pair of paddock boots and half chaps or tall boots; field or dress
2} Breeches or for now, a pair of tight jeans
3} Any kind of shirt
4} A helmet

Make sure you're getting English lessons so that way you can start out right!

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I want to start riding English, and I'd like some ideas on what I'll need. Does anyone know any good English tack companies? I would also appreciate anything else anyone could give me.

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Well, I work at a tack shop, but it's all the way up in Indiana. But the owner is really good about getting things shipped with out getting damaged. We only sell the best quality of tack and show cloths. But she is still very reasonable on all of her prices. The name of the store is called Tony's Saddle Shop, they do have a website, but it's undergoing construction, so things may not be able to come up. She also sells boots, and western tack and attire. But she has a ton of english things as well! Good luck and I hope this helped!

If your price limit for a saddle is 1500 dollars, you will be fine! I have a very nice Crosby event saddle and it was only $400 -- if you know what size tree and what style of saddle you are looking for, get on eBay. Although if you've got that kind of money to spend, you can get a pretty nice new saddle too. The Dover Circuit saddles are nice, as well as Collegiates (love those!).

As for rules, it all depends on the show. They will either have rules listed out or tell you what rules they are following, then you can find them online.

Have fun!

Jessi