ABOUT

Photo: Lauretta Wright

This developing discipline is very exciting to many riders who choose horses of all breeds as a partner and who prefer western style of riding and/or using the western or stock type saddles.

Western Dressage integrates the principles of classical dressage with the best of the western horse. It is a systematic and progressive system of training for the western horse and rider, in traditional stock or western tack with the purpose of enjoying a safe, pleasurable and versatile horse.

The characteristics of the Western Dressage horse are:

• Rideability

• Willingness

• Safety

• Pure gaits

• Lightness

• Calmness

• Steadiness

The characteristics of the Western Dressage rider are:

• Attentive, tactful rider

• Clear, effective, subtle and light aids

• Confident seat

• Light, responsive hands

The Western Dressage partnership should exhibit:

• Impulsion, originating from engaged hindquarters transmitted without resistance through a supple topline to light, soft contact with the riders hands

• Willingness to work of the hindquarters, allowing the horse to move freely both forward and laterally to enable the western horse to be a useful working partner.