Western Dressage:
Tack & Rider Attire
Story and Photos
By Lynn Palm
Your Western saddle, headstall
and reins may be used. Riders
can perform the tests in either a
standard western snaffle bit, which
is defined in the current USEF rule
book, or in a standard western bit
which is also defined there.
According to the Western Dressage
Association of America’s (WDAA) website (www.
westerndressageassociation.org), “the WDAA will request
a change in the USEF rules regarding bits. The WDAA will
request changes which will require, at the lowest test
levels, the use of a snaffle bit only, along with a cavesson
which is loose enough to permit two fingers comfortably
between the cavesson and the horse’s nose.”
Rider attire should be “conservative and workman-like.”
I interpret this as a well-shaped hat to fit your features, a
starched long-sleeve shirt and choker scarf tie, tied with
a square knot and the same color chaps as your pants,
and western boots.
Don’t be concerned if your tack is basic. When it comes
to Western Dressage, judges are seeking conservative
ranch or schooling equipment. This means no silver, a
Navajo blanket under the saddle, a breast collar if your
horse needs it, bridle browband or two-ear, snaffle or
curb bit, curb chain or leather strap, and western split or
romal reins.
Showing
Keep in mind that a Western Dressage horse is expected
& to work with lighter contact than the traditional dressage
TRAINING horse. Balance, cadence and carriage are still important,
but judges will evaluate horses based on the conformation
and movement found in today’s Western horses.
Horses are asked to walk, jog and lope instead of walk,
trot and canter.
54 www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com EE
So you want to get involved in
Western Dressage, but aren’t
sure if you have the proper tack
and attire. Not to worry! You’ll
be glad to know you don’t need
special tack, equipment or rider
attire in order to show in this
new discipline
As stated on the WDAA website: “It is not the goal of
Western Dressage to create western horses that compete
in open dressage but to create better western horses and
riders through the use and principles of dressage.
“Western Dressage is trained and shown in specific levels
which build on each other and which reflect the development
of the skills and abilities of both the horse and
rider. The tests ridden in shows are used as a measure of
the correctness of the horse’s (and rider’s) schooling.”
Here are the areas judges will be looking at closely:
• Gaits: Does the horse move freely and with regularity?
• Impulsion: Does the horse show willing forward movement
with roundness and elasticity?
• Submission: Does the horse exhibit confidence and
acceptance of the bit? Does the horse show harmony
with rider and overall lightness of movement?
• Rider’s position and seat: Does the rider have correct
position and is he/she able to be effective with the aids?
We would love to have you come ride with us. We love
to share our dressage backgrounds and knowledge
with you. You can join us at our Ocala, Florida, farm or
at one of our Ride Well Clinics on our USA Tour at a location
near you.
For more information on these training materials and
more, as well as clinics, please visit www.lynnpalm.com or
call us at 800-503-2824.
/westerndressageassociation.org
/www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com
/www.lynnpalm.com