Facebook is an unending super highway of material for use in a myriad of applications. I am always amazed by several things.  First, how we can consider people we have never seen or maybe even spoken to directly as “friends.” Second, how we are able to use social networking to very positive effects from fund raising for good causes to arranging emergency transportation for rescue horses. Third, how easy it is to learn from so many people who are willing to share really great educational material and to participate in helping others understand more about their horses. And fourth, how unreasonably cruel that people are willing to be when their physical proximity to others is no more than the monitor in front of them. Is it here, on the social networks, that we ultimately reveal our real faces? 

I do not spend much time on social network pages but occasionally a remark will be made that strikes a chord in me and that gives good food for thought. These I like to share. This weeks comment regarding Western Dressage may shed some light on the question of where differences in interpretation of WD may come. The post suggested that one possible explanation for the difference is in emphasis. He pointed out that for some the discipline is WESTERN dressage, for others it is western DRESSAGE. In that same post he suggested what I consider the third and best option: WesTerN DrESsaGe. This blending of the two disciplines is not only possible, it is happening. But Western Dressage is such a growing area in which so many people are finding a new thing to do with their horse, or in some cases, finding acceptance of what they have already been doing, or finding a new venue in which to do the same thing they have been doing, that there is just flat no standard in the industry.

Jen Johnson, President of NAWD, reports that professionals now joining North American are almost equally represented by both English (Dressage) and Western backgrounds. Some riders and trainers are on the bus that do “get” this blending idea, some are on the bus and do not.  Photos and videos that depict absolute elevation and tension in the back, the absence of true relaxation, even the presence of noticeable tension, and faulty perceptions of back to front balance are all too common. When I have examined the ideals that are put forth on each organizations websites, which I encourage you to do yourself, I am always reading and looking at pictures and video as supplied by the organizations. It is the only way for you determine what each group stands for as the ideal. When really well combined, Dressage creates in our western horses a way of going that is good for the horses, and that should help horses have long, sound working lives.  Isn’t that what we all want for all our horses? 

Western Dressage in the end is just another way for people to enjoy the magic of relationship with a horse. Regardless of the tack or attire, horses are special and the myriad ways in which people think to continue that relationship never ceases to amaze me. While attending a Centered Riding clinic at beautiful Rhodes River Ranch (a world class reining facility) in Arlington Washington last weekend, I had the privilege of attending a performance of The Seattle Knights. Yes, Knights.  Seattle’s local jousting club, in existence for nearly 20 years, presented a wonderful evening of jousting and medieval horsemanship. I interviewed Dameon Willich, Director of The Seattle Knights, and was surprised to learn that he is a former dressage rider himself and insists on basic dressage training for the horses, regardless of breed. In fact, he stated that the horses are the most important part of the group’s activities as they not only have to carry knights in full regalia dependably, they have to be trained to deal with crowds, travel and other situations that would make our pampered barn babies simply melt down. He said only about 1 in 10 of the horses that begin training become successful jousting horses.  Oh, one last interesting tidbit:  The knights rode in western saddles AND dressage saddles, depending on the riders preference. 

In all, the weekend was a reminder that good training and good riding take place in all kinds of tack and ALL kinds of attire. It was such a pleasure to see both dressage riders and western riders in the Centered Riding clinic, reining horses working in the arena when clinic participants weren’t riding, and fully armored knights perform a dinner show, all under one roof. Everyone was respectful. Everyone was kind. The environment felt safe for both horses and riders on multiple levels. The events flowed together and yet each retained a specific and VERY individual identity.  AND… it was all held together by one thing… love of horses.

Next week, news about 2013 Award programs, show schedules and WD clinics all over the nation!  Also coming later in February, a report from the West Coast Cowboy Dressage Weekend and Judges Orientation from Medford Oregon.

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 North American Western Dressage, to read articles, explore the 2013 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."