What horse riding discipline should I do?

Kerrits Team Rider and International Eventer, Jessica Heidemann shares tips to you help decide what horse riding discipline you should do.

Often times when people are talking to me about horses and thinking about whether or not they want to ride horses, they are trying to figure out which equestrian discipline is best for them. It's really a two part answer to this question.

First you need to decide if you want to ride English or Western. English, you have a flatter saddle and there is no horn. Western is a much bigger, bulkier saddle and you have a horn to hold onto. A lot of people really like to start with Western and get a little more comfortable and secure and then move to English.

The one thing that I tell people, the most important thing, is that you can interact with horses in whatever way makes you happy but you also want to make sure your horse is happy. Maybe you just want to go trail riding, maybe you want to graze with your horse out in a giant field of grass and that is what makes you happy or maybe you want to absolutely move to the top levels of your sport and be one of the top elite competitors and go to the Olympics.

At the very base, start taking some lessons figure out what you enjoy, figure out what your horse enjoys. Find professional to help you decide where you want to go, and go out and have fun.

- Jessica Heidemann

About Kerrits Team Rider, Jessica Heidemann

Jessica has been riding since she was a young girl, and started off competing in dressage at the age of 13. At age 15, she discovered eventing, and never looked back. She graduated from Western Washington University in 2002 with a degree in Management Information Systems, all while successfully riding and competing at the highest international level. 

As a trainer, Jessica has a gift for seeing a project through and persevering no matter how big the obstacles might seem. She is dedicated to the success of both her horses and her students and understands that communication between trainer, horse, and rider is vital to success. She tailors her training programs to meet the specific needs and desires of each of her clients (both equine and human) and encourages active participation, whether the goal is a safe riding partner or an international competitor.

Jessica understands that dressage provides a strong foundation for all riding and that it is vital to success in eventing. Her understanding and commitment to the training scale allows her to help each horse develop to their full potential. She loves bringing horses and riders along and seeing them succeed through the levels. She has experienced great success at the international level and has the dedication and commitment to help horse, rider, and owner, achieve whatever their dream may be.