Areas

Area 8

Berkshire, Greater London, Isle of Wight, Kent, Surrey, Sussex. over 50 members.

Area 8

Welcome to WES Area 8

Your home area is where you are from, not where you are allowed to go. Every member can enter any WES event, anywhere.

Your area team

Meet the Area 8 team

  • Nikki Gwalter

    Area 8 Rep

    I have been part of the Western riding community for a number of years, and it has become a huge part of both my life and my family’s life. What started as a passion for horses has grown into a real appreciation for the people, the culture, and the sense of community that Western riding brings.

    As Area 8 Representative, my focus is simple, to support and connect our members. Whether that is helping new riders find their feet, encouraging participation at events, or making sure your voice is heard at Council level, I am here to represent the area and make sure it continues to grow in a positive and inclusive way.

    I am a firm believer that the strength of WES sits in its members. The more we communicate, support each other, and get involved, the stronger the Society becomes. I am always happy to be approached, whether you have an idea, a question, or just want to get more involved.

    Alongside my role, I am actively involved in competing and attending events with my family, so I understand first-hand the realities of balancing horses, life, and everything in between. That perspective is important to me in this role, making sure that what we do as an area genuinely works for the members it serves.

    I am looking forward to building on what already exists in Area 8, creating more opportunities to ride, connect, and enjoy being part of the Western community.

County Reps

  • Alison Cheetham

    County Rep, Berkshire

    I am Alison Cheetham, your Berkshire Rep. I have been a WES member since 2008 and throughout that time have been a strong advocate for the positivity and inclusivity of WES.

    WES is also very important to me as my horses have not been Quarter Horses! I competed very successfully on my ID mare, Blue, for many years.

    My horse is now Paloma but we don’t really compete, that baton has been passed to my son Zac and his amazing QH Hez.

    We spend most of our time hacking out, or rather, trail riding and are clocking up lots of hours on the Trail Awards Scheme.

    I am always looking for new and fun things to try with Paloma, I love training her at liberty and doing anything involving obstacles.

    So I am more than happy to be involved with all our fun plans for Area 8. And if you need any guidance to help you get showing I have a lot of experience and can now usually be found cheering from the collecting ring.

Contact us

Coming up in Area 8

Neighbouring areas

Moments That Matter (30)

Photos entered by members in Area 8.
The best view
2026
The best viewSubmitted by Alison Cheetham
Two young riders in riding hats sit on their horses in western saddles in an indoor arena.
2026
Great friends, great competitorsSubmitted by Alison Cheetham
Who pooed in the water jump?
2026
Who pooed in the water jump?Submitted by Hannah Woodward
The support of a good instructor is important! Even if it’s to remind you to have fun!
2026
The support of a good instructor is important! Even if it’s to remind you to have fun!Submitted by Hannah Woodward
Seeking the shade
2026
Seeking the shadeSubmitted by Alison Cheetham
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
2026
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, breatheSubmitted by Alison Cheetham
Those I love the most
2026
Those I love the mostSubmitted by Alison Cheetham
Trusting my son with my horse and my horse with my son, this level of trust cannot be explained with words.
2026
Trusting my son with my horse and my horse with my son, this level of trust cannot be explained with words.Submitted by Alison Cheetham
The best way to enjoy the start of spring.
2026
The best way to enjoy the start of spring.Submitted by Alison Cheetham
Peanut butter jelly looking very unimpressed with Janet Burwood’s lesson ideas!
2026
Peanut butter jelly looking very unimpressed with Janet Burwood’s lesson ideas!Submitted by Hannah Woodward
One of my proudest moments- having a go at reining and winning the class!
2026
One of my proudest moments- having a go at reining and winning the class!Submitted by Hannah Woodward
Our first ever go at reining! Wrong shirt, wrong hat, big dreams!
2026
Our first ever go at reining! Wrong shirt, wrong hat, big dreams!Submitted by Hannah Woodward
Flying the flag at Rockin the Country festival
2026
Flying the flag at Rockin the Country festivalSubmitted by Hannah Woodward
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
2026
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 traditionSubmitted by Hannah Woodward
A quick pre- lesson cuppa for myself & ‘Peanut Butter Jelly’
2026
A quick pre- lesson cuppa for myself & ‘Peanut Butter Jelly’Submitted by Hannah Woodward
Introducing an off the track thoroughbred to obstacles for the first time in prep for a second career in ranch
2026
Introducing an off the track thoroughbred to obstacles for the first time in prep for a second career in ranchSubmitted by Hannah Woodward
He’s come so far but is only at the beginning
2026
He’s come so far but is only at the beginningSubmitted by Zac Cheetham
You don’t need a quarter horse for WES
2026
You don’t need a quarter horse for WESSubmitted by Alison Cheetham
A smiling young rider in a riding hat, with a rosette, sits on a grey pony led by two adults in cowboy hats.
2026
First showSubmitted by Alison Cheetham
Ride with the wind
2026
Ride with the windSubmitted by Alison Cheetham
Training with a different purpose.
2026
Training with a different purpose.Submitted by Alison Cheetham
Oh no! They found an apple tree.
2026
Oh no! They found an apple tree.Submitted by Alison Cheetham
It’s important to train your horse to stand patiently - while you play on a swing in the woods!
2026
It’s important to train your horse to stand patiently - while you play on a swing in the woods!Submitted by Alison Cheetham
My 25 year old Quarter Horse, Bean, back in the ribbons 15 months after being hit by a car and dislocating her fetlock.
2026
My 25 year old Quarter Horse, Bean, back in the ribbons 15 months after being hit by a car and dislocating her fetlock.Submitted by Hannah Woodward
Water fun in the New Forest
2026
Water fun in the New ForestSubmitted by Dani O’Brien
It's not quite dressage!!
2026
It's not quite dressage!!Submitted by Pauline Norton
A line of young riders in riding hats stand arm in arm in an indoor arena.
2026
WES Youth FriendsSubmitted by Dani O’Brien
A young rider in a pink riding hat lopes a palomino horse in a western saddle round an indoor arena.
2026
Cooper look after Autumn (aged 7) in their first loping classSubmitted by Dani O’Brien
Harry - hipoint paint - WES Champs 2025
2025
Harry - hipoint paint - WES Champs 2025Submitted by Dan Gwalter
Dan at Sovereign Camp
2025
Dan at Sovereign CampSubmitted by Dan Gwalter
See all from Area 8

WES Approved Pros nearby

Event managers

  • Alison Cheetham
  • Brian John Ayles
  • Dan Gwalter
  • Dani O'Brien
  • Lisi Jonas
  • Nikki Gwalter
  • Pauline Norton

Area sponsors

  • Area 8

Area 8 Facebook group