Youth Riders

Sent to Moments That Matter

Saddle up! From your very first Little Britches class to the National Show, WES has shows, badges, clinics, camps and friends for every young western rider. Whatever your experience, there is something for you.

Member Benefits

  • Clinics and Camps just for you. Youth clinics with WES Professionals and a Youth Summer Camp, with riders your own age. In 2027 we will have an Easter Youth Camp 9th-10th April in Northamptonshire and the Summer Camp 23rd-25th July at Oakridge Arena. Plus an added trail/obstacle camp too!
  • Your own classes at shows. Little Britches, Youth 13 and under and Youth 14 to 18 classes at WES shows, so you ride against people your own age.
  • The Youth Badge Scheme. Forty round badges to collect, from Care and Welfare to riding a reining pattern. Start a badge.
  • Points and awards. Youth classes earn points throughout the season. The Youth Participation Award goes to the youth member who takes part in the most WES activities in the year: clinics, shows, hacking out, the treasure hunt and the summer challenge all count.
  • Up to £25 back on clinics. Youth members can reclaim part of the fee for an approved WES clinic, up to £25 a year, local or national, or towards the Trail Awards. The voucher comes with your membership; send it to the Youth Officer through the contact page.
  • Fun at home. The Easter Treasure Hunt, the 6 Week Summer Challenge and online zoom meetings: things to do with your horse, on foot, or even with a hobby horse.
  • Someone on your side. Our Youth Officer, Dani O'Brien, looks after young riders across the Society and is the person to talk to. Get in touch.

Age Groups

  • Little Britches. Members aged 9 or under on 1 January join free. English or western tack may be used and no points are awarded: it is all about having fun.
  • Youth 13 and under. Western tack, though an English saddle may be used with a western bridle. Ridden two handed in a snaffle or hackamore, or one handed in a curb. Points are awarded.
  • Youth 14 to 18. Western tack only. Ridden two handed in a snaffle or hackamore, or one handed in a curb. Points are awarded.

Youth means under 19 on 1 January, and your age on that day counts for the whole season. There are Youth all ages classes too. Every category is on Class categories.

Coming Up

April - Easter Youth Camp 9th-10th April 2027
May - Trail and Obstacle Camp TBC
July - Summer Camp 23rd-25th July 2027.
August - Pre National Show Clinic
Youth members can claim up to £25 a year back on an approved WES clinic, so pick one near you, and check its page for the levels and ages it takes.

Moments That Matter

Young members share the moments that matter to them. Send yours to Moments That Matter.

A young rider in a riding hat and red shirt lopes a dark horse in a western saddle round an indoor arena.
Photo: Sent to Moments That Matter
A young handler in a riding hat and navy jacket stands beside a dark horse, holding a blue rosette.
Photo: Sent to Moments That Matter
A young rider in a cowboy hat and tan jacket smiles, holding two trophies and a certificate.
Photo: Sent to Moments That Matter
A line of young riders in riding hats stand arm in arm in an indoor arena.
Photo: Sent to Moments That Matter

For Parents

  • Safeguarding comes first. WES has a Safeguarding Policy, and our Youth Officer is the Society’s Safeguarding Lead. If you are worried about a young person, get in touch through the contact page; if a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
  • Our Youth Officer is DBS checked, First Aid trained, Safeguarding trained and holds a WES Event Manager’s Certificate.
  • Horses come first too. The Animal Welfare Policy puts the horse before competition. The Welfare Officer looks after the Health and Safety Policy and how incidents are reported.
  • A hard hat, every time. Riders aged 18 and under on 1 January wear a BHS Assessments compliant hard hat whenever they ride or handle a horse at a WES event, anywhere on the ground. There is no exception and no waiver.
  • Supervised and signed for. A parent or guardian makes or approves every booking for a rider under 19, and children are supervised at all times at events.
  • Clear prices. Youth membership is £17.50 a year, half the full price. Little Britches join free. A Family membership, £60 a year, covers two adults and two youths at one address. The Youth Badge Scheme is a one-off £20.
  • Their name, your choice. In public results a young rider shows as first name and initial unless a parent or guardian agrees to their full name.
  • Joining takes minutes. Join online and pay straight away. We ask for a date of birth, so the right age group is set for you. Join WES.

Join as a Youth Member

Half the full price for youth, and free for Little Britches.

Join as a Youth Member

Find a Youth Event

Clinics, camps and shows near you, with up to £25 back on a clinic.

Find a Youth Event

Start a Badge

Forty badges to collect. £20 to join the scheme, handbook included.

Start a Badge