Can't decide between western and jumping at Meredith Manor?

Do your self a favor before going to school and find out what those who have been to Meredith Manor are now doing, most are not working with horses because it pays so little, about the same as working at McDonald's.

Sweetie, as much as I hate to say this, I agree with Ron. I've never heard anything good about Meredith Manor, and plenty that's bad about it. I also had the experience of knowing someone who was a graduate of that place while I was in college- that individual was a former instructor of mine. Sadly, she got fired for incompetence by the school I attended shortly after I left for the last time. Whether or not she deserved the dismissal is beside the point- what matters is that it doesn't say good things for either her or for the school that she came from. There are so many other good schools out there which have top notch Equine Studies programs and equestrian teams. MM is by no means the only fish in the sea, if you get my meaning. You should really check out other schools and universities before you commit to MM, and while you're at it, do what Ron suggested and talk to some MM graduates. Find out how many of them are employed in the horse business, and what they are doing for a living. Chances are high that not many of them are doing very much.

What horse industry employers are looking for these days are people with EXPERIENCE. That matters far more to most of them than a fancy college degree ever will. If you don't have the practical work experience, then you won't get hired, and this is true across all disciplines.

In the handful of years I've been riding and exploring the things that horses can do, I've noticed that western riding leaves lots more options than English. Even if you ride western, you can jump--even jump huge things. Western saddles are much more comfortable and supporting when you go on long trail rides, while doing things like climbing steep hills or riding for hours on end. Reining and western pleasure somewhat resemble dressage, in that you're putting your horse through all the paces he's learned. If you like this sort of thing, you could even check the Extreme Cowboy Association, which hosts obstacle course events where you can do everything a ranch horse should be taught to do; you jump barrels, go through tunnels, ground tie, blindfold your horse and lead him, and nearly hundreds of other things. The events are a TON of fun, and addicting.

I have had a desicion like this, I was riding western with my friend and I was having so much fun, but after that ride I wasn't sweaty or tired at all. I was thinking about going western. The next day I had a jumping lesson and I realized that this is so special. Not everyone can jump a horse correctly and I am fortunate enough to be able to. I didn't wan't to miss out and after that ride I was sweating and I was tired. It is really hard wor and it just feels so amazing so I would go with jumping but it is your choice so if your heart says western, go western, but if you heart says english, go english.

Best of luck!

If I remember correctly you can have an emphasis in a riding style but you must explore two other anyways so you could emphasis in H/J and then to complete the program do western as the other riding discipline :)

honestly,It could go either way.think about what YOU like to do first.You could either continue with something you know already( western),or take a risk and try something new(jumping).If you continued with western,you'd probably feel more " at home" but if you did jumping,you'd be an equal balance between both disciplines ( which would make you a better rider overall).Then,think about what your horse is good at.Again,it could go both ways.If your horse is good at barrel racing,she/he could use the good speed/balance to make a great jumper.Or,she could continue with her comfort zone.good luck! :) xxx