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Welcome to WES Area 8

Welcome to WES - we're really glad you're here.

Whether you've just picked up western riding or you've been in the saddle for years, you've joined a community that genuinely loves this sport - and each other.

WES has been bringing western riders together across Great Britain since 1985. We're member-led, volunteer-run, and proudly all-breed. From pattern classes and reining to trail riding and clinics, there's a place here for every horse and rider.

This page is your starting point. Below you'll find your local area team, the WES professionals nearest to you, what's coming up in your area, and everything that's going on across the society nationally.

If you ever have a question, your Area Rep is your first port of call - their details are just below. And if you can't find what you're looking for, you can always reach us here.

Welcome to the biggest Western Equestrian Society in the UK. One final point - WES is a society with 13 geographic areas - but it’s important to note that you are not locked to your area - you are welcome (and encouraged) to attend events (in person or online) hosted by ANY WES area. The WES Team

Your Area Team

Nikki Gwalter
Nikki Gwalter
Nikki@happyontheplanet.com
Area Reps
Alison Cheetham
Alison Cheetham
alison.cheetham@yahoo.co.uk
County Reps

Beds / Berks

WES Professionals in your Area

Janet BurwoodJanet Burwood
Janet Burwood
Kirsty FeistKirsty Feist
Kirsty Feist
Pauline NortonPauline Norton
Pauline Norton

Events Near You

Pauline Norton Pattern Practice ClinicPauline Norton Pattern Practice Clinic
Pauline Norton Pattern Practice Clinic
Area 8
02/05/2026
Fun/Have A go ShowFun/Have A go Show
Fun/Have A go Show
Area 8
03/05/2026
Area 8 Summer Challenge Area 8 Summer Challenge
Area 8 Summer Challenge
Area 8
18/07/2026 → 31/08/2026
Clive Johnson Spook Buster ClinicClive Johnson Spook Buster Clinic
Clive Johnson Spook Buster Clinic
Area 8
18/07/2026 → 19/07/2026
Area 8 Summer Camp 2026Area 8 Summer Camp 2026
Area 8 Summer Camp 2026
Area 8
27/08/2026 → 30/08/2026

There's always something going on at WES - here's where to explore.

Trail Awards Log your miles, earn your awards. The WES Trail Award scheme is one of our most popular member programmes - open to all members, all breeds, all disciplines. Whether you're hacking local bridleways or clocking up miles on a long-distance route, every mile counts.

Youth Badge Scheme If you're a junior rider - or you know one - the WES Youth Badge Scheme is a brilliant way to build skills, earn recognition, and be part of something. Badges cover everything from horsemanship basics to ridden disciplines.

Beyond the Arena Our growing programme of member engagement beyond competition. Ask a WES Pro, Moments That Matter, and more - all designed to make WES membership richer, more connected, and more fun whatever your level.

WES TV - Ask a Pro Sessions Can't make a live session? Our library of past Ask a Pro WESinars is available to watch any time. Real professionals, real questions, real answers - covering everything from western horsemanship to ranch riding to trail.

Latest Newsletter Stay up to date with everything WES. Our newsletter goes out regularly and covers news, events, member stories, and society updates. The latest edition is always pinned above - and you can browse the full archive here.

From members in your Area

How to improve your mental health: ride your horse, feel the glow of the sun, smell the cool breeze, hear the birds, see the colours of nature, breathe How to improve your mental health: ride your horse, feel the glow of the sun, smell the cool breeze, hear the birds, see the colours of nature, breathe
How to improve your mental health: ride your horse, feel the glow of the sun, smell the cool breeze, hear the birds, see the colours of nature, breathe

Alison Cheetham

Approved
🗺️Area 8
Those I love the mostThose I love the most
Those I love the most

Alison Cheetham

Approved
🗺️Area 8
Trusting my son with my horse and my horse with my son, this level of trust cannot be explained with words.Trusting my son with my horse and my horse with my son, this level of trust cannot be explained with words.
Trusting my son with my horse and my horse with my son, this level of trust cannot be explained with words.

Alison Cheetham

Approved
🗺️Area 8
The best way to enjoy the start of spring.The best way to enjoy the start of spring.
The best way to enjoy the start of spring.

Alison Cheetham

Approved
🗺️Area 8
Peanut butter jelly looking very unimpressed with Janet Burwood’s lesson ideas!Peanut butter jelly looking very unimpressed with Janet Burwood’s lesson ideas!
Peanut butter jelly looking very unimpressed with Janet Burwood’s lesson ideas!

Hannah Woodward

Approved
🗺️Area 8
One of my proudest moments- having a go at reining and winning the class!One of my proudest moments- having a go at reining and winning the class!
One of my proudest moments- having a go at reining and winning the class!

Hannah Woodward

Approved
🗺️Area 8
Our first ever go at reining! Wrong shirt, wrong hat, big dreams! Our first ever go at reining! Wrong shirt, wrong hat, big dreams!
Our first ever go at reining! Wrong shirt, wrong hat, big dreams!

Hannah Woodward

Approved
🗺️Area 8
Flying the flag at Rockin the Country festivalFlying the flag at Rockin the Country festival
Flying the flag at Rockin the Country festival

Hannah Woodward

Approved
🗺️Area 8
Showing my QH in a ‘Foreign Breeds’ class at a local agricultural show. Being brave wearing my western wear and showing to breed standard not English show traditionShowing my QH in a ‘Foreign Breeds’ class at a local agricultural show. Being brave wearing my western wear and showing to breed standard not English show tradition
Showing my QH in a ‘Foreign Breeds’ class at a local agricultural show. Being brave wearing my western wear and showing to breed standard not English show tradition

Hannah Woodward

Approved
🗺️Area 8
A quick pre- lesson cuppa for myself & ‘Peanut Butter Jelly’A quick pre- lesson cuppa for myself & ‘Peanut Butter Jelly’
A quick pre- lesson cuppa for myself & ‘Peanut Butter Jelly’

Hannah Woodward

Approved
🗺️Area 8
Introducing an off the track thoroughbred to obstacles for the first time in prep for a second career in ranchIntroducing an off the track thoroughbred to obstacles for the first time in prep for a second career in ranch
Introducing an off the track thoroughbred to obstacles for the first time in prep for a second career in ranch

Hannah Woodward

Approved
🗺️Area 8
He’s come so far but is only at the beginning He’s come so far but is only at the beginning
He’s come so far but is only at the beginning

Zac Cheetham

Approved
🗺️Area 8
You don’t need a quarter horse for WESYou don’t need a quarter horse for WES
You don’t need a quarter horse for WES

Alison Cheetham

Approved
🗺️Area 8
First showFirst show
First show

Alison Cheetham

Approved
🗺️Area 8
Ride with the windRide with the wind
Ride with the wind

Alison Cheetham

Approved
🗺️Area 8
Training with a different purpose.Training with a different purpose.
Training with a different purpose.

Alison Cheetham

Approved
🗺️Area 8
Oh no! They found an apple tree.Oh no! They found an apple tree.
Oh no! They found an apple tree.

Alison Cheetham

Approved
🗺️Area 8
It’s important to train your horse to stand patiently - while you play on a swing in the woods!It’s important to train your horse to stand patiently - while you play on a swing in the woods!
It’s important to train your horse to stand patiently - while you play on a swing in the woods!

Alison Cheetham

Approved
🗺️Area 8
My 25 year old Quarter Horse, Bean, back in the ribbons 15 months after being hit by a car and dislocating her fetlock. My 25 year old Quarter Horse, Bean, back in the ribbons 15 months after being hit by a car and dislocating her fetlock.
My 25 year old Quarter Horse, Bean, back in the ribbons 15 months after being hit by a car and dislocating her fetlock.

Hannah Woodward

Approved
🗺️Area 8
Water fun in the New Forest Water fun in the New Forest
Water fun in the New Forest

Dani O’Brien

Approved
🗺️Area 8
It's not quite dressage!!It's not quite dressage!!
It's not quite dressage!!

Pauline Norton

Approved
🗺️Area 8
WES Youth Friends WES Youth Friends
WES Youth Friends

Dani O’Brien

Approved
🗺️Area 8
Cooper look after Autumn (aged 7) in their first loping classCooper look after Autumn (aged 7) in their first loping class
Cooper look after Autumn (aged 7) in their first loping class

Dani O’Brien

Approved
🗺️Area 8
Harry - hipoint paint - WES Champs 2025Harry - hipoint paint - WES Champs 2025
Harry - hipoint paint - WES Champs 2025

Dan Gwalter

Approved
🗺️Area 8
Dan at Sovereign CampDan at Sovereign Camp
Dan at Sovereign Camp

Dan Gwalter

Approved
🗺️Area 8
Harry Gwalter at the WES NationalsHarry Gwalter at the WES Nationals
Harry Gwalter at the WES Nationals

Rob Painter

Approved
🗺️Area 8
Jess and ChicoJess and Chico
Jess and Chico

Pauline

Approved
🗺️Area 8
Harry at the WES NationalsHarry at the WES Nationals
Harry at the WES Nationals

Dan Gwalter

Approved
🗺️Area 8