Although some of you may think Western Dressage is new; when I discovered the Western Dressage Association of America was formed 2 years ago, my first thought was “there is actually a name for it?”

For well over 30 years, I have taught riders the wisdom of dressage to Western riders. Through the years, I have been contacted to resolve issues with horses and riders working on games, pleasure and reining. I have always addressed the issues the same. Learn the basics, understand the basics, and the issues will resolve themselves.

Jen and Harley. Forward and engaged in the collected jog. (Credit Les Norris)

One of my first professional encounters dealing with Western horses came in the early 80’s. A gelding was having difficulty maintaining the quality of the jog and lope work. Realistically, it was not the horse that needed work; it was the rider. After addressing the proper use of the riders’ seat, and their understanding of how the core of the rider can influence the movement of the horse, things began to come together. We worked on many transitions and circles with Sue and her gelding. If she understood how her body influenced the gaits by 80 percent, not her hands; her attempts to ride the horse in a consistent tempo would be a lot easier. At the next show, she won her class.

I saw Sue again a few years after our lessons together. She reminded me of how much I helped her, and because of that training they had developed a great partnership and successful show career.

Fast forward to 2013. In January of this year I was contacted by Jen, who is an avid Extreme Cowboy rider. Jen has a young horse that she will be campaigning in the Extreme Cowboy circuit.  She wants to bring out the best in her horse, and was very curious as to how dressage principles could help her smooth out Harley’s performance. Just like riding over fences or obstacles, the quality of the work is 90 percent of the success.

We have worked together now once a week since January focusing on the basics of attention, relaxation and balance. It was discovered that Harley’s quality of paces were being hampered by crookedness. That was easily solved by working on the balance of the rider and Jen figuring out where Harley’s balance line actually was. Transitions and lateral work have been used to have Harley use himself and become stronger in the hindquarters.  He is now becoming well balanced and engaged. The collected work has begun, and the flying changes are being developed. Harley’s jumping ability and speed have greatly improved. His transitions are now impeccable. Most importantly, the rider has learned to ride her horse correctly, as well as understand her horse. I am very excited to see them competing in the US National Extreme Cowboy Finals this year.

The bottom line benefits of Western Dressage really break down into two avenues… having riders train and progress through levels to ride tests at shows, or to use the correct dressage principles to improve their style of Western riding. 

Either way, it’s a win-win situation.

About Elaine Ward Elaine Ward is the founder of the Western Style Dressage Association of Canada, an International alliance partner of the WDAA. She has been a dressage professional for the past 35 years teaching dressage principles to all breeds and all disciplines. Elaine has been teaching Western Dressage for over 30 years. She is also the author of “On the Basics: The Western Dressage Training Manual”.  For further information about Western Dressage and Elaine Ward, please visit these links:

Business Website: http://kirkridgefarm.com

Elaine’s HorseShow.com Biography: http://www.horseshow.com/coaching/elaine-ward

About the Western Style Dressage Association of Canada The Western Style Dressage Association of Canada (WSDAC) is a registered nonprofit Canadian national organization that promotes, fosters and educates people about Western Dressage in Canada. The goal of the WSDAC is to provide a concise and progressive offering of classes for riders to develop a systematic training program for their horses and themselves. The WSDAC honors the horse, and use kind and understanding training methods that are hundreds of years old. Western Style Dressage appeals to all ages and types of riders and breeds of horses. The WSDAC works to help riders continue on their journey of developing an understanding with their equine partners.  For more information on the WSDAC please visit their website: http://westernstyledressage.ca.

About the Western Dressage Association® of America: 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.   To discover more about the WDAA, please visit www.westerndressageassociation.org