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What Is Western Dressage?

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If I had a dime for every time I was asked this, I would have a lot of dimes. Western dressage is an infant discipline, especially in the East. Eight years ago, when I started my western dressage journey, I learned on YouTube. There were no instructors, no coaches, nothing. I asked my Classical dressage friends what terms like change reins meant. Today, I am happy to see more western dressage riders and shows here in Ohio and other Eastern States. It warms my heart now to hear riders say, “western dressage, what is that?” I jump in and tell them what it is and what a great discipline it has become.

Evolution

Western dressage evolved from the love of riding horses that promotes a partnership. Horse training over the years evolved from a difficult journey to understanding the horse. This spark prompted a group in Colorado to start a discipline based on harmony, partnership, and respect for the horse. In 2010 this group began the movement of western dressage as a discipline.

What is WD?

So, what exactly is Western Dressage, you ask? Isn’t it just Classical dressage in a western saddle, you say? Well, no, and sort of. Western Dressage has adopted some principles of Classical Dressage, such as carriage and balance. Western dressage, however, emphasizes horsemanship. The western style of riding combined with the balance and precision of the Classical world is the foundation concept of Western Dressage.

Tests in WD

In Western Dressage, the rider can show the development of training, balance, precision, and partnership through riding maneuvers in a test. There are different levels of tests that the horse and rider progress through. Horsemanship skills and harmony between horse and rider are emphasized in each test, along with each movement.

Today

Today, Western Dressage has gained popularity not only in the US but internationally as well. The Western Dressage Association of America (WDAA) holds an annual International Challenge Online that brings in riders worldwide. Additionally, the WDAA has a World Championship yearly that draws horses and riders from all over the country and Canada.

Organizations

WDAA is one of many organizations that supports and promotes Western Dressage. The North American Western Dressage Association (NAWD) also has programs that foster the partnership between horse and rider. NAWD has online shows and a year-end championship.

I have been privileged to ride Western Dressage for the last 11 years. Even though I started learning on YouTube back then, I have grown as a rider and horsewoman using the ideas and principles of Western Dressage. You will enjoy it as well. Stay tuned for more tips.

Want to learn more? See my articles in the Horseman’s Corral. https://issuu.com/horsemenscorral/docs/horsemen_s_corral_november_2022/50

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Kelley

Kelley Bitter is the owner of Buckeye Performance Horse Center and The Winning Edge Mental Performance Coaching in North East Ohio. A second- generation horsewoman. Kelley began riding and showing at 4 years old. In her teens, she started riding Arabians in various discipline and won several Regional and USEF titles over the last 50 years. Kelley started riding Western Dressage in 2016. In 2018 Kelley attended the WDAA Train the Trainer program. She has won several titles including placing two of her Arabians in the WDAA World show in 2020 top 15. At the WDAA International Challenge 2021, she placed with her Quarter Horse, Arabians and her student received top ten in the Gaited Division and Horsemanship. Kelley currently runs The Western Dressage Academy. Kelley also holds certifications as a Mental Performance Coach, Equine Massage Therapy, Equine Laser Therapy, and Equine Nutrition. Kelley has also completed the WDAA Judges training and is currently working on her “r” status.

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