Show season keeps moving forward and the scores keep coming in. At the last WSH show, the high score rider, Linda Coates-Markle, received a whopping 76% on NAWD Level 3 Test 1 (that is the western equivalent of USDF First Level) riding her Quarter Horse mare. Once again, this last weekend, shows featuring Western Dressage classes were held all over the country and WD riders on both sides of the nation received the highest

Phyllis Ray and Starr in the warm-up  (Darcia Drapeau)

scores recorded at the dressage shows they rode in. Laura Marquez won it two weekends in a row with a 75.7% at the first show and 69.44% at the 2nd with her Appaloosa mare Ruby Slippers at a show held in Connecticut. Phyllis Ray rode her AQHA mare to a 71.05% at the USDF GMO show sponsored by the Inland Northwest Dressage Association in Spokane Washington (video of her horse was posted on this blog channel in conjunction with the “To Jog or Not To Jog” blog at http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5wCjvq53-kHybrTVawJDKg) Congratulations really go out to everyone who is out there riding, training and showing western dressage at this level of work. Kudos to judges who recognize the high quality of basic dressage training that is taking place in our stock saddles. And many thanks to the barns, USDF GMO’s, and dressage organizations that are adding the western classes to the show premiums so we have a venue in which to ride.

Remember, these shows are being judged by USDF/USEF Dressage judges and the NAWD tests are patterned after traditional dressage tests. They contain familiar dressage figures and movements while respecting western horses gaits and movement quality. The NAWD tests themselves were met with favor from all the judges at these shows and one judge clearly voiced her preference for them over the USEF tests she had judged in other venues. It is so encouraging to me to hear positive feedback from the judges about the quality of the tests and the high caliber of riding they have the opportunity to judge. Last season the judge at one of our shows was surprised that we rode nice figures with horses on the bit. This year I hope it is becoming the norm at the lowest levels. Next year I know there will be more riders attempting Level 2 and 3 and that excites me. If the foundation of the discipline begins with more and more WD riders understanding the basics, the future of the discipline is bright. 

Laura Marquez and Ruby Slippers  (Make Marquez)

I hope that USEF takes its time making decisions that affect the future of WD. Big decisions that define the direction of such a young discipline should not be ramrodded through or secretly influenced internally, or paid for. These decisions require thought, careful articulation, management and planning in order to develop Western Dressage in the best possible way. For my part, I will continue to work with my western horses using the fundamental dressage principles that my teachers have given me over the years. With that in mind, you can be sure that we will not be jogging much and that we will strive to ride our horses forward into the connection from behind, over a relaxed back and with a light contact, following the training pyramid as we develop their bodies and gaits to their fullest and most expressive. 

Thank you all for taking the time to read this blog and for your interest in Western Dressage. I welcome your input regarding anything you have read in this blog, your rescue horse’s story as well as your western dressage story at [email protected].

For more information about Western Dressage, to read articles, explore the 2013 Rulebooks, see the tests, or start your memberships visit NAWD at http://www.northamericanwesterndressage.com, and join them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/groups/NorthAmericanWesternDressage.  Find Cowboy Dressage online at www.cowboydressage.com, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/eitanbethhalachmy. Locate International Performance Horse Development Association at http://www.iphda.com/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/IPHDA1. Finally, WDAA’s website is http://www.westerndressageassociation.org/

Michelle Binder-Zolezzi is the founder of the Relational Riding Academy. Relational Riding is a program that utilizes dressage as fundamental training for all horses performing in all disciplines. She has been an ARIA certified Instructor since 1989. She is currently working on her second book “Relational Riding: A Horsemanship Tutorial,” and has completed work on two professional video productions, “Any Horse, Any Rider: Relational Riding: A Universal Foundation” and "Understand Riding From the Ground Up."