2012 is nearly over. Show season is winding down and Western dressage organizations are gathering feedback from judges and competitors alike about tests, rules, shows and all things western dressage. Late fall is time for annual meetings for everyone and WD is on agendas all over the country. NAWD and WDAA are busy analyzing data and perfecting tests and rulebooks before the 2013 show season starts so more news will be coming from these fronts very soon. USEF and USDF will have more information regarding the future of WD as an independent discipline and some state level organizations will have determined if WD will be offered as a discipline at that level as well. Those of us actively competing and looking forward to show season wait with as much anticipation as those who wish to see the discipline fail. Everyone I know is hoping to see the end of infighting and organizational competition as a new year approaches. Enthusiasts and organizers alike have a huge opportunity to at least acknowledge if not embrace one another’s philosophies and usher in a year of mutual respect and acceptance of the various trajectories that WD remains on.

This week’s blog is my call to NAWD, WDAA, CD, and IPHDA to tear down fences and begin to work together better with USDF and USEF in 2013 to develop Western Dressage as a unique discipline that will ultimately emerge as a respected discipline in the whole equestrian world. It is my belief, as someone who came to WD late in the game and unaware of the political struggles that the organizations had created between themselves, that the only way to proceed is via cooperation between the groups responsible for promoting WD, regardless of philosophy, belief, this/that/or the other political thing. Even if in the beginning cooperation merely looks like acceptance of the existence of differing points of view that, in some cases, may be irreconcilable, I believe it is imperative to the survival and continued development of the discipline that everyone put down their swords and at least acknowledge one another. If this blog serves to further that, as well as educate the riding public, then it will have been written to good effect. Onward….

There was so much wonderful feedback from last week’s post about the rescue horses in western dressage arenas that I extended an invitation to riders who want to tell their rescue stories. This week, sharing from the Oregon coast, I am happy to feature Jasmine Lechner’s horse Weston.  Jasmine says:

“I ride Weston a now 7 year old mustang gelding. I drew him as my mount in the 2009 Extreme Mustang Makeover. He was a woolly black lil 4 year old wild mustang. He had been through three BLM sales without a buyer prior to being put in the EMM. We have just three short months to train them from completely wild to then compete. We took 6th out of 35. And I bought him in the sale afterwards. My eyes were full of tears bidding for my best friend. I could not imagine my life without him. Weston has done many western dressage demos; expos; and clinics. We traveled to Texas for Project Cowboy where we placed 28 out of 178 competitors from all over the world. He is a graceful, amazing and smart horse. He is a respected member of our family. Weston also helps me pony and start colts. He is rock steady and I am so thankful that I took a chance on him!”



Such a wonderful story to hear as the future of our wild horses remains in jeopardy.  Thank you to Jasmine for helping Weston to become an ambassador for both Western Dressage and the American Mustang.

If you would like to see your rescue horse featured in this blog, please email the story and a picture to me at [email protected].  

For more information about North American Western Dressage, to read articles, explore the 2012 Rulebook, see the tests through 6th Level, or start your free basic membership visit http://www.northamericanwesterndressage.com, and join them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/groups/NorthAmericanWesternDressage