To an unknowing viewer, the images in "Green as Grass" might appear to depict a rural part of the United States. Yet these photographs capture the small but growing community of Western Riding enthusiasts in the UK. Over the past year, photographer Charlotte Hartley has immersed herself in this unique world, documenting its traditions, quirks, and the strong sense of camaraderie that unites its participants. Ahead of the exhibition at London’s Photobook Cafe this Thursday, we spoke with her about the project.
What initially inspired you to explore the subject, was there a specific moment or experience that sparked your interest?
At the end of last year/early January, I was trying to map out some projects that I wanted to work on for the year ahead. The main two that I pursued were this, and a series on pigeon racing, which is still underway.
I’m really interested in slightly unusual sports, or communities that are passionate about something that is out of the ordinary to the majority. It obviously goes without saying but it’s a real privilege to be able to explore a world that you wouldn’t have stumbled across, without a camera as the driving excuse, and to learn from people that you might not have had the chance to interact with otherwise.
At the time when I was researching, I kept going back to bodies of work that were shot around Rodeos or Bullfighting. I think there is something fascinating about the spectacle of a show, all the different traditions, the bonds between people and animals, the training that people undergo, the attire and the gathering of spectators.
I was curious to see if there was anything I could explore closer to home, in a similar vein, and started researching. I was stunned to find out that there are a few arenas dotted around the country and a whole community of Western riders that I’d never heard about. The arenas host several shows throughout the year that bring riders together from up and down the UK, to perform in their specific disciplines. I put all the dates that I could find online into my calendar, reached out to some of the organisers and aimed to visit as many as I could get to.
How did your understanding of the UK's Western Riding community evolve throughout the project? Were there any particular moments or experiences that shifted your perspective?
Although I thought I had done my research before my first visit, I quickly realized I was unprepared for the true nature of Western Riding. Arriving at a training clinic, I was greeted by a small, welcoming group and witnessed riders performing manoeuvres I’d only seen online. The riding techniques were fascinating, with subtle movements guiding the horse—like slight shifts in posture or leg pressure. When everything clicked, the rider and horse seemed perfectly in sync.
I’ve learned that there are many stereotypes associated with Western Riding—such as the assumption that all cowboys enjoy Western music or that the culture is only about line dancing and dressing up. People involved in the sport emphasize the skill and dedication it requires, which is often overlooked.
But what has stood out the most is the sense of community. Despite the competitive nature of the sport, riders are incredibly supportive, often travelling long distances to practice at specialized arenas. This camaraderie, combined with the passion for the sport, has deepened my understanding of the culture.
What do you think draws people in the UK to Western Riding? Did you notice any shared motivations or themes among the people you met?
There are several reasons I’ve been told about in passing, that draw people to Western Riding; some have had the opportunity to go to America and stumbled upon it there, maybe helped out for a couple of months on a friend's ranch and got a taste for it that way. For some, it seems to be building that stronger bond between rider and horse when it’s trained in such a way, for others it's the sense of community involved, the aesthetic or simply that older generations have passed the inspiration and knowledge down.
I sent a few questions out to some of the riders and one of those aimed to get more of an idea about what typically entices people to Western Riding. The main response I got was that people pursue it simply for the love of training and riding horses. A lot of the community have been riding since they were kids, as English riders first, then introduced to Western as a more challenging sport to try their hand at. The variation in techniques and the different disciplines make for a more refined practice and give people further room to develop as a rider.
People are passionate about implementing and developing Western techniques and the attire is either a bonus or just comes part and parcel. Most people that I’ve met, regardless of their age or experience, have said at some point that there are just infinite things to learn too - I think it’s that challenge along with a passion for training and riding horses that is the main draw to Western Riding.
Green As Grass by Charlotte Hartley is on show at London's Photobook Cafe, on Thursday, November 21, 2024. More info here.
