Equitation Western Dressage Style
Western dressage has evolved over the last several years. Watching so many people get involved and ride this great discipline has been fun. I am thrilled to see more shows incorporating the equitation class into their programs. This month I want to talk about what western dressage equitation is and how it is judged.
The Objective
First and foremost, the objective of any equitation class is to evaluate the rider’s ability to perform, in partnership with the horse, maneuvers and gaits with confidence while maintaining balance, function, and correct body position. That means your hands, seat, and aids are looked at very closely, as well as how the horse responds. The judge wants to see the harmony between the horse and rider. Maneuvers and transitions should look effortless.
Western dressage equitation has three divisions. There is equitation on the rail, horsemanship, and medal class. There are 2 pattern tests at each level that the rider may be asked to perform in horsemanship and medal class. What’s nice about that is that there is a defined score sheet.
On The Rail
On the rail, the class can be walk-jog or walk-jog-lope classes, performing the gaits in both directions of the ring with no pattern. So, the judge looks at your position, how you use your aids, the effectiveness of aids, the harmony of horse and rider, and the accuracy of the gaits. Something to note here, you cannot post in equitation. You will not be eliminated for posting, but you will be marked below other riders who did not post.
Horsemanship
The horsemanship class uses a pattern test and score sheet. Tests can be found on the WDAA website under equitation. There are two tests, test A and test B, for each level. If it is only the horsemanship class, there is no rail work. Patterns have 5 maneuvers, each scored from 0-10. The objective in horsemanship is to perform a set pattern in harmony with the horse, and exhibit poise, confidence, balance, correct body position, and precise maneuvers. Again, along with each maneuver being performed accurately, the judge is looking at the rider’s position, effective use of aids, and hands position. Each rider can be scored a total of 0-50 points for the test. Again, no posting at the jog unless it is a lengthened jog. If you post, you receive a 0 score for the entire maneuver you posted.
Medal Class
The medal class is fun. This class is specifically for basic and first-level youth or amateur riders. You do both equitation on the rail and a pattern. There is a score sheet for this class as well. You would be scored 0-50 on the rail and then 0-50 on your pattern work. The objective is the same for both on the rail and the pattern. The pattern has 5 movements, each scored 0-10. Once again, you can only post at the lengthened jog.
Faults
That all sounds good, but there are a few things to remember. All the equitation classes have what are called universal faults and universal eliminations. Let’s talk about those. A fault will decrease your points. An elimination removes you from the class, and you will not be scored or placed.
Here are the universal faults for equitation and patterns:
- Posting the collected or working jog.
- Not completing the course as written
- Breaking gait
- Looking down to check leads
- Missing a lead
- Not properly performing a gait
- Loss of stirrup
- The horse is carrying its head behind vertical or too low
- Loss of rein
- Holding on to the saddle
- Bucking, kicking, rearing
Eliminations
Here are the universal eliminations:
- Off course (the judge cannot tell if the rider is using a correct pattern)
- Inappropriate entry or misrepresentation
- Entering with the incorrect number
- Excessive spurring or schooling
- Fall of horse or rider
- Prohibited equipment
- Prohibited use of hands
- Horse’s tongue-tied
- Unauthorized assistance
- All four feet leave the arena
- Blood on horse
- Lameness
- Concerns for the safety of the horse, rider, other exhibitors, or spectators
Another item to remember with equitation is that the patterns must be ridden from memory. You cannot have a test caller for the patterns. So you are tested on precision and knowing the pattern. Remember, you are being judged on your horsemanship. How well you handle the pattern, how you and your horse work as a partner, and how well-balanced you are in the saddle. Judges like to see a smooth ride with horse and rider working together. The training wheel is still part of the scoring process, even though the focus is on the rider. So how well do you, the rider, keep your horse’s gait in rhythm and steady? How do you, the rider, use your aids to complete a circle or a gait transition?
Additionally, how does the horse respond? Is the horse quiet or fussy when the aids are presented? A good partnership reveals a quietly responsive horse. All these concepts make a good ride and score whether the class is on the rail or a pattern. I’d like to see everyone out there try western dressage horsemanship. I know you can do it!!
Western dressage equitation is a fantastic division, and I hope to see more classes added to shows. I also hope to see you in these classes. Remember to enjoy your ride and your horse.
