I'd recommend finding an instructor who can be a true mentor, shop around. Put off buying a horse until you can afford to actually own land. Being a rider and a

I'd recommend finding an instructor who can be a true mentor, shop around. Put off buying a horse until you can afford to actually own land. Being a rider and an owner are different things. I don't know the natural horsemanship / western scene at all, but if you find someone with a good rep in the classical school in your area, you're probably in good hands. The training systems are for producing interchangeable sport animals, which makes them fit for purpose, but if you are more philosophical, see if you can find someone who trained with or whose trainer studied under Oliviera or Schultheis or is connected to one of the 4 schools (quatre l'ecole equestre). If they are within a couple degrees of separation, that's a good foundation, then you can get a sport coach to develop you personally. Of course, you could just do it for fun and find joy in whatever you do, which is what a normal and reasonable person would do, and giving a good life to an animal is the most noble thing of all, but in the spirit of HN deep nerd, these are the hardest paths. Apprenticeship takes a decade at least, and failing means you just get to begin to appreciate what these people and horses do. The olympics and competition are absolutely worthy of total respect, but in the same vein, judged gamesmanship isn't philosophy either. That's easy to say, and yet more words from people who haven't competed, and arguably opinions are what one has when one doesn't have medals, but these are the converstions of the people in the arena. It's an addiction only death or poverty can cure, so be warned. But otherwise, it's a lifelong journey. Good luck. :)