Happy New Year everyone! I am glad to be here and since it is obvious that the Earth did not tip over on its axis turning our mountains into oceans and our oceans into mountains, I have to wonder what 2013 will bring to Western Dressage. Maybe the better question is “What will Western Dressage bring to the world?”

Indeed it is an intriguing question when put this way. As our fledgling discipline begins to feather out, the directions in which western dressage may fly continue to expand. As I understand the picture at the moment, 2013 brings awareness of several Western Dressage organizations at work to bring new tests, new relationships, new showing options, new interpretations, new rules and guidelines, new judges trainings, forums and symposiums, new clothing options (still hoping for those fringed riding pants from Hobby Horse), and new discussions about training, riding and showing Western Dressage. It is my hope that Western Dressage will bring positive, educational discussions on training, help people expand their minds and their horizons giving up their “rightness”, and encourage people to embrace different styles of riding and different kinds of horses so that mutual respect is born in our industry. A huge call I know. But, the field is volatile and full of hopes and dreams waiting to be realized as well as jealousies, infighting, backbiting and politicking. Sounds like a movie trailer…or a new reality show!

USDF has released a formal statement regarding Western Dressage and it is clear that no single organization has been deemed the authority on WD by them or USEF. This levels the playing field for at least a little while so that all the groups  promoting Western Dressage have equal footing for presenting rules, tests and guidelines that reflect the specific mission of each. It also continues to leave a vacuum in which competition for recognition, acceptance, and authority thrives to both the benefit and detriment of the discipline. It is as if a stand has been taken wherein the attitude “May the best man win” prevails. Is there no hope of positive collaboration? Truly, all the groups have philosophies and guiding principles (at least on paper) that are worthwhile and seek to promote and develop a discipline that is worthy of respect. WD has a growing audience all over the country and every organization is growing in numbers and therefore each has a louder voice than in 2012. FaceBook is a veritable cacophony of noise whether you look on dressage pages, professional pages, organizations pages, or you visit internet forums or websites. Judges are being sought out, trained and touted as recognized, licensed or whatever and I have to wonder how can a judge judge when there are now 5, yes 5, sources for tests and 5 different ideals to judge to?

My solution is to explore them all. There is no other way than to do your own research. Visit the websites for North American Western Dressage, Western Dressage Association of America, International Performance Horse Development Association and Cowboy Dressage. Check out their Facebook pages too.  Read the rules and guidelines for riding and judging tests. Surprisingly, IMHO, the tests from some of the organizations are more similar to one another than they were in 2012.  Others, like the new Cowboy Dressage Challenge Tests, are even more different. IPHDA will be expanding the test offerings in its Western Dressage division and expects larger and larger turnouts for the virtual shows. NAWD has new test movements and higher levels coming and has offered their first virtual show. This virtual show thing may be the wave of the future and I will definitely cover this new way to exhibit and compete in Western Dressage as a viable option that is fun, less stressful and cheaper than traditional horse shows. 

So as we ring in the new year, I hope that whether you are a young rider just starting to explore WD, a trainer or instructor climbing on the bandwagon, a trail rider, a big gun in any equestrian organization, or anyone interested in Western Dressage, you can really try to look at WD with open eyes, mind and heart. In this day and age it can difficult to put aside differences and opinions but increased diversity is really a good thing in the natural order of the world. Coming together as an industry may be necessary for the industry to survive. WD offers a little more diversity and therefore increases the chances of survival for the whole. Let us put down the swords and face each other as people and specifically as people who love horses. Let us come to table and find camaraderie, sharing and friendship. It is up to each of us to decide what Western Dressage will bring to the world and I for one, hope for the best for all.

I welcome your input regarding anything you have read in this blog, your rescue horse’s story and most importantly, your western dressage story at mbinder@northamericanwesterndressage.

For more information about North American Western Dressage, to read articles, explore the 2013 Official Tests and 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."