What is the equestrian demographic in North America? Surveys reveal it consists of women who, after a career, raising children, or both, have either returned to riding or are pursuing it as a life long dream. I fall into this demographic, having returned after both a career and children, and once again after major surgery. But where do we go to find training, a supportive community and a purpose in this endeavor?

After much exploration, I was lucky enough to find Western Dressage through the Western Dressage Association® of Colorado. Not only are these people supportive and encouraging, but they have excellent trainers from the top of the industry who can help both me and my horse, plus give us a job to do.

Guy Brown, WDAA’s newly elected President.

Guy Brown, the newly elected president of Western Dressage Association® of America (WDAA), helped me understand why their organization is so successful. A fourth generation horseman, Guy’s involvement has mostly been with show horses of different breeds. “There is something intrinsically attractive about this organization,” Guy explained. “People are attracted because these days they are currently in a learning mode. They are yearning for information that enables them to have a better working relationship with their horse. The largest equine activity in our nation is recreational riding. What better thing could you do for yourself and your horse than to focus on the fundamental elements of training, which is what dressage is all about. In your next ride, whether on the trail or in a dressage test or in the show ring performing in a collective class, say Western Pleasure, you can utilize the elements of Western Dressage to have a better ride. It’s just phenomenal and is the great appeal with Western Dressage.”

This year marked the addition of new directors along with Guy’s new Presidency. “This is not a changing of the guard,” he told me, “but adding new blood, reorganizing WDAA officers and identifying committees we feel will better be able to address the membership needs and fulfill their expectations. The Founding Board Members did extraordinary and necessary work in creating an organization. Now that we exist and are growing, we need to focus on how we can turn our attention to fulfilling membership needs?”

The approach will be to form the necessary standing committees. “These can be as simple as budget or as exciting as education,” according to Guy.  “We are rolling out very distinctive educational programs that we intend to offer through our educational partner HorseShow.com.”

“Our next evolution is to continue to improve our programs, not by just training horses but by training judges, trainers and competitors.  We just completed a Train The Trainer™ clinic in Colorado, which was a huge success. Another standing committee will probably be one that deals with assisting states in the formation of State Affiliates.  We’re also getting lots of international requests and will be forming a committee to deal with those alliances. We anticipate that every nation will have its own distinct governing body and requirements. It will be incumbent upon us to understand those requirements and find people who are willing to pull together an organization that parallels our mission.”

“We hope that in this process, we will engage our membership by having a more direct line of interaction, so that we can become better aware of their needs as expressed by them, as opposed to what we think their needs should be. Here we are, a newly formed non-profit organization with an educational mission, gathering data that will enable us to better serve our membership, fulfilling what they want?”

“We are expecting 14 standing committees, five project committees and one special project committee. That’s over 20 committees!  I think this is going to stir up the imagination of a lot of people who want to make contributions to Western Dressage. This is like the marriage between horse and rider that is so fulfilling!” As he spoke, I could hear the enthusiasm in his voice.

Before I talked to Guy, I just thought I was inspired about Western Dressage. Now I understand why it has been so attractive and satisfying to me and to my young horse.  We have a job to do, great people to train us, and a magnificent support group.  So come on ladies, and gentlemen as well. Here’s a way to live your dream!

Pat Van Buskirk serves as the Technical and Website Manager on the Board of Directors for the Western Dressage Association® of Colorado, a WDAA State Affiliate. She is an avid horse enthusiast and has been writing for various horse and auto magazines since 1994.

The Western Dressage Association® of America is a 501(c)3 educational non-profit organization focused on providing a model of horsemanship which optimizes the partnership of horse and rider for their mutual benefit.  The mission of the Western Dressage Association® is to honor the horse, to value the partnership between horse and rider and to celebrate the legacy of the American West which it focuses on through its offerings of educational opportunities and events to the equestrian community.  Read more about Western Dressage and the WDAA by visiting http://www.westerndressageassociation.org.