Put on your boots and hat and come along to Equita Lyon for an introduction to western riding!

Have you always wanted to try western riding? At Equita Lyon, you can do just that, thanks to the western-riding initiation sessions organised in the Wyoming arena by Julien Sermet, a local specialist from the Isère département!

The western-riding instructor, who lives near Bourgoin-Jallieu (Isère) will be giving his precious advice to the riders registered for the two daily sessions on offer. These introductory lessons are aimed at riders with a minimum level of Galop 2/3. "The idea is to show them in a short space of time how the horse functions. So, we teach them the basic tools. How to stop the horse, how to turn left and right. How to use the hips and shoulders. It's also an opportunity to show that western riding is accessible to all riders, both young and old," explains the specialist.
During a 45-minute session, the riders discover a different kind of riding. "Trying western riding gives riders greater confidence. The equipment, particularly the saddle, and the well-trained horses all contribute to reassuring the riders. So, this can be a good way to feel secure and safe again for riders who have lost their confidence on horseback." Another great thing about western riding is the wide variety of disciplines. "We can do ranch work, cattle work, dressage work and so on. This means everyone can find the style that suits them best," says Julien. When trying out western riding, riders also discover a different approach to the relationship with the horses, based on ethology. "The aim is to communicate with the horse using a language it understands," explains Julien Sermet. 

Sessions held in the Wyoming arena in Hall 6.2, on Thursday from 12.45pm to 1.30pm and from 6.15pm to 7.15pm and on Friday from 12.30pm to 1.15pm and from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.