Western Dressage
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a fairly new discipline, with varying thoughts and approaches. To help readers better understand, we turn to the Western Dressage Association of America
Why Western Dressage?
The Western Dressage Association® of America (WDAA) was organized to provide western riders and horses with an educational program which incorporates the principles of lightness into a whole new way of thinking about riding western. Western Dressage helps a rider to improve the horse’s balance, cadence and carriage. Whether your horse competes in reining, roping, cutting, western pleasure, or enjoys the trail with you, using dressage will improve your partnership and keep your horse happier and more sound far longer than it would otherwise be.
Is Western Dressage for any breed of horse?
Absolutely! Any breed of horse can participate in Western Dressage. In order to participate in the Western Dressage tests, horses should be able to walk, jog and lope, or in the case of gaited horses, walk, gait or jog and lope. The WDAA encourages all breeds to become involved in this discipline which causes the horse to become more balanced and athletic and the rider to become more skilled and light.
What is the difference between Western Dressage and traditional Dressage?
The goals of Western Dressage and Dressage are similar. They both wish to create a better horse and rider with the use of structure and levels. The Western Dressage horse is encouraged to work and school on lighter contact than the typical dressage horses. While both want to see balance, cadence and carriage, the Western Dressage horse will be evaluated with the conformation and movement of today’s western horses in mind. The Western Dressage horse will have a shorter stride than a Dressage horse and the Western Dressage horse will be asked to walk, jog and lope as opposed to walk, trot and canter. In keeping with the tradition of the Western horse and rider they will be shown in Western tack and clothing. These are just a few examples of the differences.
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.
Do I need special tack, equipment, or clothing to show in Western Dressage?
No! The current USEF rule book permits riders to perform the tests in either a standard western snaffle bit, which is defined in the rule book, or in a standard western bit which is also defined there. You may use your western saddle and your western headstall and reins.
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 caveson which is loose enough to permit two fingers comfortably between the caveson and the horse’s nose. Please review the Western Dressage rules for details.
Where do I find the rules for Western Dressage?
You can find the Western Dressage rules written by the WDAA and adopted by the USEF Morgan Breed division: Click Here!
What are the Western Dressage tests?
Western Dressage tests are very similar to the traditional dressage USEF authorized tests. The names of the gaits are different and the 2013 WDAA Tests were adopted by the USEF Morgan Breed division. You can find the Rules, Tests & Judging Guidelines under our Western Dressage Education Resource Center.
More FAQs Here
The above information is from the Western Dressage Association of America
Copyright © 2010-2013 Western Dressage Association® of America.
Also, check out our other recent activities!
