Riding Western
In Scotland

The Western Equestrian Society

The Society was formed in 1985 to promote the Discipline of Western Riding to the standard as practised in the United States. The aims and objectives of the founder members have certainly been achieved as a significant number of members have gone on to compete, officiate and judge at competitions throughout the UK, Europe and the United states.
WES now promotes the sport from pure beginners to the very top level and you can start with any breed of horse with members participating with breeds as diverse as Shetland Ponies to World Class Quarter Horses with Arabs, Appaloosas, Cobs, Thoroughbreds and sundry Native Breeds participating in many of the regional shows. In addition the Society has built up an enviable reputation for well organised professionally run events run by knowledgeable officials with a welcoming and friendly attitude to participants only too willing to assist those new to the Western discipline.

Mainly to facilitate travel and communication between its members WES has divided the uk into ‘Areas’ each with its own Area Representative who coordinates training/fun/trail and other western equestrian activities within his or her area. There is an Area Representative Coordinator for the UK.

There are three WES Areas in Scotland. These are, Area 1 which covers the Grampians and Highlands, Area 12 which covers Dumfries and Galloway as well as Strathclyde and Area 11 which covers Borders, central region, Fife, the Lothians and Tayside. Scotland also has its own Scottish Areas Coordinator.

Good western riding is not necessarily confined to the show arena, but in this country the competition arena is the definitive showcase for western horsemanship. Horse and rider skills can be seen to be as exacting as in any other form of equestrianism. In recent years WES in Scotland has staged two or three All Area shows each year and Areas 1 and 12 usually stage another two smaller shows each year.

 

In addition to shows WES members in Scotland enjoy a wide variety of western equestrian experiences. Each area organises its own events and welcomes other area members, non members, friends and families, western riders and non western riders to come along and join them with or without their horses. Watch the Area pages on this website or contact an Area Representative. He or she will advise you.

If you feel you might benefit from being a member of WES please contact the Area Rep. closest to your location. He or she will be pleased to tell you more and process your application. The current annual membership fees are:  Family: £60*, Adult £35,  Junior**  £17.50 *.  Family membership is restricted to two adults and children under 19 years of age on 1st January of the current year residing at the same address. One magazine and two votes only, will be allowed per family. **Junior members are determined as being under the age of 19 years on the 1st January of the current year.