Jeanne, I am no competitive equestrian, but I’m a damned good rider. As such, I can get on just about anything, anywhere, and with any kind of tack. But that assumes that I’ve taken the time to inquire about local training habits, my particular horse’s idiosyncrasies, the type of reining it responds to, the cues the horse is accustomed to-that’s just safety awareness, and it also ensures that my mount gets the message that I’m no rookie. Experienced people know to ask first. I’ve run into plenty of uber-arrogant dressage riders from Europe who insist on trying to force their horses to obey commands that a criollo in Argentina couldn’t possibly understand. Then they blame the horse and get mad at the guide for attempting to point out what they’re doing wrong. Such things have forced me farther and farther afield, on more distant and difficult rides and adventures, to simply get away from such people. It’s worth it. And a shame we have to . Thanks for your comments as always.