The problem with that Sarah is that unless you are looking at one of the better western shows, it is about as inspiring as watching a bunch of Prelim dressage tests.... & Can give one the entirely wrong idea (You know, 4 time canters, disunited etc) Like everything, when you see it done well, it is like WOW, but at lower levels it can be hard to get an idea of the final objective. The other problem is that the good examples make it look much easier than it really is
One thing I would say, is that, on the whole, at the western shows (not that I have been to more than a few local ones but), the competitors seem to be having a lot more fun than the English ones.... & I think the difference is in "attitude" not that Western is any less competitive!