The back through is a common obstacle found at all levels in the trail class. This is usually presented as a slot between two poles and may include a change in direction in more advanced classes. Being able to back your horse up is a key skill to have for general riding and often necessary when out on a real trail ride.

Having just returned from the 25th anniversary of the Western Equestrian Society Nationals, this month’s article is dedicated to those western riding enthusiasts who attended and supported the Society that changed the face of Western riding in Great Britain.

I feel very privileged to be accorded the honour of judging the 25th-anniversary WES championship show. I hope as many of you as possible will put the date in your diary and attend, either astride or on foot! I am sure a large proportion of your readers started western riding through the efforts of WES. Over the years, the society has probably been ‘responsible’ for a lot of sales of the American Quarter Horse as during the early days there was only one annual Quarter Horse show and three major WES shows.

Home from Arizona with a temperature of 30C and clear blue skies, there is much to reflect upon. One thought that comes to mind, that I wouldn’t normally dwell on, is the ranch holiday.

Chrissie and I spent one night at the White Stallion Ranch on the way to our hotel in Tucson. The whole holiday was one of stunning views wherever we went. While returning from Sedona, “God’s Home” in the southern Arizonian desert, we found the While Stallion Ranch just a few miles off Interstate 10.

It has been a long time since my last trip to the USA but in 2015, I was invited to go to view some broodmares for sale at the NRHA Futurity with a long-time friend. He managed to purchase two nice mares in foal, but more of that later as they should arrive before the next issue.

Pauline Brimson takes us back to school and asks us to consider the differences between a coach and an instructor. I’m often asked why we all have to be called ‘coaches’ now? I personally have called myself a riding instructor for years and feel I have been providing a pretty good service to my clients. Will it make any difference if I start calling myself a coach?