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ABOUT
Photo: Lauretta Wright
What is Western Dressage?
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:
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Rideability
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Willingness
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Safety
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Pure gaits
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Lightness
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Calmness
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Steadiness
The characteristics of the Western Dressage rider are:
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Attentive, tactful rider
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Clear, effective, subtle and light aids
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Confident seat
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Light, responsive hands
The Western Dressage partnership should exhibit:
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Impulsion, originating from engaged hindquarters transmitted without resistance through a supple topline to light, soft contact with the riders hands
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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.
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A Western Dressage partnership should culminate in a happy, harmonious, horse and rider relationship.