Guthrie, Okla. – The Western Dressage Association of America (WDAA) hosted the seventh annual World Championship Show at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla. From October 2-6, the World Show brought together the top combinations in Western dressage from 27 states and several Canadian provinces. With 77 world championship titles on the line, judges Joanne Coy (Otsego, Mich.), Melissa Creswick (Clovis, Calif.), Janet “Dolly” Hannon (Arvada, Colo.), Susan Lang (Wichita, Kan.), and Brian MacMahon (Wellborn, Fla.) saw strong tests throughout the competition.
The 2019 World Show drew over 200 horse-and-rider combinations and 37 different breeds to compete in six divisions. With 1,093 individual tests ridden throughout the week, winning the prestigious championship titles, breed high-score awards, and divisional championship belt buckles was highly competitive. This year, veteran Jimmy Welch, founder of Operation Wild Horse, performed a Color Guard with dressage trainer Patti Gruber and their rescued mustangs every night before the musical freestyles. Learn more about the inspirational mustangs and veterans from Operation Wild Horse.
Some of the most celebrated high score awards highlighted the diversity of riders competing in Western dressage. Cindy Rau-Sobotka (Colorado Springs, Colo.) won the High Score Veteran Award with KBS Timepiece, her 15-year-old Paint stallion. The Silver Spur Award, awarded to the high point horse-and-rider whose combined age is at least 75 years-old, went to Joann Williams (Elkhorn, Wisc.) and Gallod Ffantastic, her 13-year-old Welsh Cob gelding. Junior rider Laura Sheets (Greensboro, N.C.) and Fort Knox were awarded the High Score Greenhorn Award, presented to the highest scoring horse-and-rider combination competing at the World Show for the first time.
Results
Follow WDAA and US Equestrian
The Western Dressage Association of America is a recognized affiliate of US Equestrian. WDAA is building an equine community that combines the traditions of the American West with classical dressage. Keep up with the Western dressage all year by following the WDAA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Visit the US Equestrian Learning Center for an educational video about Western dressage with Cliff Swanson. Join the conversation and follow US Equestrian on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using #JoinTheJoy.
Photos by: Don Stine Photography