Give
Western Dressage
56 www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com
EE
TRAINING & Showing
a try!
Western Dressage is one of the most rapidly growing disciplines in
the US. There are 3 very distinct associations, Western Dressage
Association of America (WDAA), North American Western Dressage
(NAWD) and Cowboy Dressage.
WDAA most closely mirrors Traditional Dressage and the USDF
policies, guidelines, tests, and is the only Western Dressage Association
that is an affiliate of USEF. WDAA is subject to all of the
rules and regulations set forth by USEF, including drug testing and
certifying Judges.
Our Mission is to build equine community that combines the
Western traditions of horse and rider with Classical Dressage.
We honor the horse, we value the partnership between horse
and rider. We celebrate the legacy of the American West.
From this, it is clear that the Western Dressage discipline is a melding
of training methods. Classical Dressage brings the techniques of
master European horsemen, techniques that are hundreds of years old
and based upon principles which encourage cadence, balance, and
carriage. It is technical and it is precise, a rigorous discipline for horse
and rider. It is also an art. Western Horsemanship has been practiced
on the ranches of the American West since the 1700s and even earlier
through the traditions of the Spanish vaqueros. The subsequent advances
in Western Horsemanship begun by the Dorrance Brothers and
practiced by a new generation of horsemen and women opened the
door to the mind of the horse, encouraging patience and understanding.
The concept of “lightness” and subtle cues grew from its acceptance.
They found that the result was good for both horse and rider.
In practice, what we strive for in WDAA tests, is lightness and harmony
between horse and rider, suppleness and balance with the horse
responding to invisible aids. The horse is required to work on a soft
contact, and go forward ! This is not Western Pleasure !! The concepts
most valued are ease of movement, and desire to go forward in a good
balance. Huge gaits are not required or rewarded, but all three gaits
must be clean and pure, with rhythm and suppleness. Horses that are
heavy in the bridle, resistant to the aids, behind the vertical, or that
show extreme tension are penalized. Any rider using strong or severe
aids will also be severely penalized. These qualities are very comparable
to what we desire in our WPCSA western classes.
Many of the WDAA judges are at least USDF “L” Graduates, and many
are USEF “S” judges, which is the highest National ranking. Other
judges do come from the Traditional Western Working disciplines, but
everyone has to go through a training and testing process that closely
mirrors USDF/USEF.
Many Welsh owners and riders are competing in Western classes at
WPCSA and Open shows. I encourage you to find an open minded
traditional Dressage Instructor to help you learn about Dressage and
how to apply the Classical principles to your Western Horse.
I have been able to compete in the 2016 and 2017 WDAA World
Championship in Oklahoma with my Welsh Cob Gelding Gallod Ffantastic.
I was extremely impressed with many of the horses and riders. I
saw good quality horses being ridden softly and with harmony. It would
have been easy to imagine most of them going in traditional dressage
classes just as they were working for their Western classes. In
my divisions, levels 2 and 3, there were several FEI level horses, one
accomplished Grand Prix horse, at least 3 USDF Gold medalists, and
several “L” graduate Dressage judges. There were also Ranch horse
champions, Breed show Champions and AQHA versatility Champions.
G. Ffantastic finished as Overall Champion in both levels, in 2016 and
in 2017. And was Reserve Champion High Score Open, all levels
combined in 2017. I think this shows that any well trained horse should
be able to compete in both Traditional and Western Dressage, as well
as the regular Western classes at WPCSA shows.
Cowboy Dressage is arguably the most “western” of the three associations,
with their principles and guidelines being based on the Spanish/
Mexican Vaquero traditions. Those principles have their roots in
the Spanish and Portuguese Classical Dressage schools. The Cowboy
Dressage arena is different than traditional Dressage, and uses poles
in various formations as part of the tests. It is most popular in the
Southwest, but I’m sure will rapidly grow to other areas of the country.
NAWD offers “virtual tests “ for competition as well as live competitions.
For the Virtual classes, you enter like a regular show, have someone
video your ride, and upload to their private you tube channel. Your ride
is evaluated and scored by a judge, and considered for placing against
others in the entire country.
All three Western Dressage associations have their own tests and
rules. Many Dressage schooling shows offer tests from several associations.
I encourage you to try this fun “new” discipline.
Joann Williams
The mission statement of WDAA is:
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