Western Dressage is Hot - Be Part Of It!

Dressage on Western horses? Hard to believe but that’s what these girls were doing last weekend.

Annette Ryan, Bim Bell, Lisa Warren and Jo Johnson all saddled up to do some training that was a little foreign to them. 

It was at a clinic designed to improve the Western rider’s performance using an “expression of horse training” only used in the English disciplines… until now.

Riders were introduced to progressive training methods by workshop presenter Lee Taylor of Taylord Performance to develop their horse’s natural athletic ability and willingness to perform resulting in maximum potential as a riding combination.

Successful training is demonstrated through the performance of “tests” and a prescribed series of movements ridden within a standard arena.  Equestrian Australia dressage judge Jan Dahl evaluated each horse’s movements on the basis of an objective standard appropriate to the level of the test.

Students got to chat with the judge and were given positive feedback on their performances.  Afterwards riders were given the opportunity to work on areas shared by them all.

What is Western Dressage?

Chances are you’ve heard that no matter what discipline you ride, schooling your horse in basic dressage can improve his performance in your chosen discipline.  The emerging sport of western dressage builds on that idea; only western dressage takes it one step further by allowing western horses and riders to compete using western tack.

What we think of as today’s Western riding has been in practice since the 1700’s, originating on ranches and in the practices of the Spanish vaqueros. As horsemanship has evolved, so has our understanding of the mechanics of how horses move, and we’ve learned that training horses to be soft, light, and move correctly can both help prevent injuries and lengthen a horse’s career. Western dressage is a fairly new discipline to the United States, but it’s quickly catching on and gaining great popularity. Chances are that if there aren’t already shows offering classes in western dressage near you, they will be appearing soon.

The goal of western dressage is to create an American western horse who is supple, responsive, and balanced in his movements, as is demanded by dressage. Horses schooled in western dressage are expected to travel with lighter bit and rein contact than is used in traditional dressage; western dressage horses remain true to the western disciplines, but the dressage training increases the communication between horse and rider, and helps the horse better perform in the western disciplines.

In western dressage competitions, horses and riders prepare and perform a dressage test quite similar to a standard dressage test. Horse and rider pairs compete at different levels depending on their schooling and experience, and the tests are judged on the horse’s gaits (the walk, jog, and lope) and movement; impulsion and elasticity; submission to the rider (in that the horse pays attention, moves with confidence, accepts the bit willingly, and moves in harmony with the rider); and the rider’s position, seat, and correct application of the aids. Horses are shown in their traditional western tack, and are ridden in either a standard snaffle bit or a standard western bit.

No matter what discipline you normally ride, your horse can benefit from even basic dressage schooling. 

The Workshops

For the first time ever, riders can be part of a learning experience like no other ... anywhere.  The Western Dressage Workshops are more than a clinic.  It will reach inside your soul and grasp your excitement and put it in the ring.  You will have a professional trainer and judge at your side as you make your way on your own personal journey.

The workshops are offered at Taylord Performance’s facility at Toorbul QLD or by appointment with local western groups and individuals.

Lee Taylor of Taylord Performance presents the workshops in a structured yet informal atmosphere.  Lee is an accredited Sports Coach (Equestrian) and has been teaching for over 30 years and specialises in breed competition and dressage, although her experience also includes campdrafting, hacking, roping, barrel racing and stock horse events.  Lee is an experienced instructor and carries public liability insurance.

For the full day workshops, Lee is accompanied by Jan Dahl who is an accredited Equestrian Australia F –Level dressage judge.

The workshops run for half or full day sessions and include lessons, discussions and critiques (critiques are done in full day workshops only).

This workshop is ideal for those who want to improve their ride and learn the basics of Western Dressage.

The experience will be uplifting, energising and fun.  Ride the wave of the creative flow with other like-minded horse riders.

To find out more visit Lee Taylor's Taylord Performance Facebook page or call Lee on 0435 269 997.

Quick Links

• View the photo gallery from the Western Dressage Clinic held on 16 November 2013
• For more information on Western Dressage check out the SEQ Western Dressage Group Facebook page
• Find out more about Western Dressage in Qld at the Western Dressage Association of Qld Facebook page
• Visit westerndressageassociation.org to learn more
• 'Ride a Western Dressage Test' with Lynn Palm on the Horse & Rider magazine website
• Buy a horse for Western Dressage on Horsezone
• If you'd like to breed a Morgan for western dressage check out RanchBoss Cortez at STALLIONZONE and watch him perform a Western Dressage test

 

RanchBoss Cortez ridden by Linda Shore during the 'Introduction to Western Dressage' session at EQUITANA 2013