I am currently an Eventer as my main discipline and I have two horses. Fancy, is a QH project horse that I have been working with to get her eventing for a family member next year. She is lower level, up to 2,9". I schooled up to Novice on my first horse, but my last horse before Fancy would dump me often. We have figured out that she enjoyed dressage more than eventing but I have lost a ton of confidence and have worked on gaining it back over the past 2-3 years but still freak out in the jumping phases. I love the sport, but after no progress I feel like switching disciplines often.

My mare Pepper, I started and show Ranch Riding events and enjoy it as well as the show atmosphere. I have made many more friends and learned so much. I am thiinking about getting another horse, probably a yearling, and showing in APHA/AQHA, instead of eventing.

Has anyone ever come across this problem? I don't know what to do as I love both sports but feel like I am just not improving. When Fancy goes to her new family I will need to look for a new horse and just need advice. Thanks guys.

I would recommend staying with enventing, or taking some lessons from a local trainer (this can help make up your mind for the sport).

If you are serious about quitting eventing, I would reccomend barrel racing. It's one of my favorites and I started off with basic eventing.

Is it not possible for you to continue both?

Personally, I jump (Eventing, hunters, eq, jumpers... everything lol), I run barrels, rope, ride cow horses, show western pleasure, halter etc. I really enjoy doing whatever I can.
I will say, I also enjoy the western atmosphere much much more. People in the English world can be very negative and I never have that issue when I'm at a rodeo or a cutting show. Go with whatever you're more comfortable with and enjoy more! Pm me if you'd like to talk :)

I've tried both the English world and the Western (judged and speed) world and I have to say I prefer the Western side of things. I love ranch riding, ranch trail, and reining and they're much more laid back events IMO than some of the english classes. Most well mannered horses can do pretty good in a ranch class. The show environment can be a little more laid back too, especially if it's a more ranchy/cattle show instead of a western pleasure/horsemanship show.

The speed shows (barrels, poles, goat tying, roping, etc) are also super fun and are even more laid back- usually pretty few rules about expected attire and much less politics than a show where a judge makes placing decisions.

I love AQHA/APHA breed shows! There's tons of amazing people you'll meet (just like every discipline there's the bad ones, but i've meet far more good friends in these circuits compared to the ones I used to meet showing open level) Tons of talented people to keep it competitive, and everyone is so willing to help others. Before a class I had my chap zipper break as I was going in, and within seconds I had a whole team of strangers helping me get it fixed LMFAO. Wether you decide to do AQHA, APHA, or even both, they're amazing communities! As far as people mentioning politics above, there's really non of that at all the AQHA/APHA/Open shows i've been to over the years.. I've seen it much more at hunter/jumper, or low level open shows. (Which are both much more stressful in my opinion because of that)

When I first bought my cow mare she was a full blown reining horse. She didn't seem to really like it and ressented working. I now do english pleasure, trail, ranch pleasure, ranch riding, western dressage, and a little bit of reining with her. She seems to like her job now. I would suggest doing a bunch of different things with your horse, they seem to like doing a variety of things.

^ totally agree with this. I've worked with tons of horses in the AQHA/APHA/PTHA industry and there's a large amount that are real all arounders! I got my gelding from a dressage barn (Just wasn't his thing) and after about a year of working with him I have a horse I can do all the pleasure events on one day, trail ride the next, do speed one day, jump the next, the list goes on! Compared to other breeds i've worked with, they are just sooo versatile.