The twenty second in a series of blog post from Michelle Binder
With the Holiday, I have just a short newsy blog for readers this week. I for one am looking forward to what the New Year brings in all areas, especially video submissions for the virtual shows. It is an exciting and challenging time for everyone involved on all fronts, a time that requires courage, flexibility, willingness to share and learn from one another, as well as patience as WD emerges over time. Like Edison with the light bulb, we must continue to try if we are to succeed with Western Dressage.
The lights are being turned on all over the place as time goes on. I have just returned from a great weekend on the Washington coast sharing NAWD philosophies, rules and tests at the USDF Region 6 mini-Convention. Great questions came up and the attendees were very receptive to the material presented. They kept me talking nearly an hour! NAWD presentations are scheduled for California, Minnesota and Texas over the next few weeks so word is spreading! Of tremendous help in conveying the idea of North American Western Dressage was the picture Powerpoint I used so North American is working on new video presentations to help bring awareness of what it means when it refers to Western Dressage as a discipline. In addition, Jen Johnson recently worked with Wayne Williams of Speaking of Horses, an online radio and TV show and we are looking forward to seeing the story air on the show soon. So much is happening as we prepare for 2013!
There is more online promotion from Rod Miller form IPHDA who just completed a “Tune In. Tack up®.” spot where he talks about IPHDA and PHD in a written question answer interview for Horse Girl TV. IPHDA has just finished the IPHDA October 2012 PHD Saddle and Buckle Series. The virtual show system awarded saddles, buckles, jackets, tack and $500 added cash. These virtual shows are an amazing way to improve riding via feedback from the judges and PHD riders look forward to the 2013 show season!
Cowboy Dressage has just posted an update about the new 2013 CD tests. They say “The new Cowboy Dressage Challenge Court uses ground poles for gymnastic exercises. This progressive concept will have new tests for 2013. They are in the "testing" stages now and when finalized they will be posted on our Cowboy Dressage Website. These tests will be a great exercise for encouraging our western horses to pick up their feet and helping the rider with the control and placement of their horses feet....the goal of all good western horsemen and women. These ground poles also help the rider define the 10m and 20m circles. This is not a trail class but will appeal to those who do love trail competitions. There is one walk, jog, lope tests and 4 walk/jog tests. The court and cones stay the same so the only addition will be the ground poles which are strategically within the court.” The Cowboy Dressage Court is already interesting and unique in the discipline so I will be excited to see how the finished tests ride.
Finally, the WDAA has announced its election of a new President. He writes to me: “I'm Guy Brown, recently voted in as Western Dressage Association® of America's President. I can assure you that I am doing my very best to get up to speed with this new assignment as quickly as I can.” The WD world will be looking forward to seeing what Mr. Brown will bring to the WDAA and to the entire conversation about western Dressage very soon.
Remember, it is virtual show season so get out to the arena with your video cameras and get your entries in. It is such great preparation for the upcoming show season. Look for 2013 Judges Forums, Judges Training Programs and new tests that reflect your input. 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 mbinder@northamericanwesterndressage.
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
Michelle Binder 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."