Beyond the Arena
More ways to be part of WES, whether or not you compete, and something to look forward to in every season of the year.
Not every member competes, and nobody competes every weekend. Some of you ride for the joy of it, some are bringing on a young horse, some are between horses, and some are here for the people as much as the riding. Beyond the Arena is for all of you: more ways to take part, learn something new and be seen, from January to December, wherever you live and however you ride.
Shows will always matter. But the show season is short, area calendars have quiet spells, and the winter months can feel a long way from the next event. Beyond the Arena fills those gaps with things you can join from home, whichever area you are in.
What is running, and what is coming
Moments That Matter
The Society's photo competition, open all year. Send in the moments with your horse that mean the most, in the show ring or a long way from it. Members vote for a shortlist each season and Council picks the winner, with prizes from a free year's membership to the cover of the WES Journal. In 2026 so far, 36 members from nine areas have sent in 98 photos.
For: every member, adult or youth.
When: all year, judged four times.
Ask a WES Pro
Free, live evening sessions on Zoom where you put your questions straight to a WES Pro. No slides and no script: you ask, they answer. Six sessions so far in 2026, on training, judging, saddle fit and bringing horse and rider back after winter. The first drew 111 registrations, with 70 members watching live and 40 questions answered in two hours.
For: every member, wherever you live.
When: winter and spring evenings, and every session is recorded for WES TV.
WES Academy
Learning you can do from home, at your own pace: online lessons and courses for every level, from your first steps in western riding to the detail that wins classes, with tests and practical assessments where they help.
For: anyone who wants to learn, competing or not.
When: opening in 2027.
WEScasts
Conversations to watch or listen to whenever suits you: pros, judges and members with a story to tell, recorded so that what they know stays with the Society.
For: every member, on the yard, in the car or on the sofa.
When: from 2027.
Who it is for
Beyond the Arena is for every member, and especially:
- Members who do not compete. Leisure riders, happy hackers, trail riders and anyone who loves western horsemanship for its own sake. You belong here as much as any champion.
- Newcomers. New to western riding, or new to WES? This is the easiest way in: ask a question, share a photo, meet people.
- Young riders. Youth members can enter Moments That Matter, and the Youth Badge Scheme gives them something to work towards all year.
- The quiet months. When the shows stop, the evenings draw in and the arena is under water, there is still something to look forward to.
- Wherever you live. Everything here is online or national, so it does not matter which area you are in or how far you are from the next show.
Your year with WES
| When | What is on |
|---|---|
| Jan to Mar | The quiet months, and when most Ask a WES Pro sessions have run. The winter season of Moments That Matter opens, and members vote on the autumn shortlist in early January. |
| Apr to Jun | The show season starts. Ask a WES Pro carries on into the spring, members vote on the winter shortlist in early April, and the spring season opens. |
| Jul to Sep | Shows, camps and the National Show in August. Keep a camera handy: in 2026 the summer winner of Moments That Matter went on the cover of the WES Journal. |
| Oct to Dec | The season winds down. Autumn is the year's last season of Moments That Matter, and on 1 January it all begins again. |
| 2027 | WES Academy and WEScasts open, with learning and listening you can do at home all year round. |
More ways to take part
- Trail Awards: log your hours in the saddle and collect awards as they add up. No show ring needed.
- Youth Badge Scheme: forty badges for young riders, done in any order.
- Events: clinics, camps, trail rides and socials as well as shows. Every WES event is open to every member, whichever area runs it.
Also being planned: an award for taking part, a spotlight on members and volunteers, a national week celebrating western riding, and a WES Skills Passport to track your progress. We will say more about each when it is ready.
Get involved
Moments That Matter and Ask a WES Pro are free to every member. Pick one and start today, and if there is a pro you would like to hear from or a topic you want covered, tell us. Not a member yet? Join, and it is all open to you from the day you do.