[[ 2626 horseillustrated.com horseillustrated.com || october 2019 october 2019 ]]
TRY
Western
DRESSAGE
I
f you’re the type of person who enjoys
setting a goal and tackling each step to
achieve it, chances are good you’ll fi nd a
western dressage show quite satisfying. For
the newcomer, barriers to entry are low, but
the payoffs in terms of training refi nement
and partnership with your horse are enor-
mous. Shows are affordable, low-key, and
do not require special equipment or attire.
Mastering a western dressage test pushes
you to polish and assemble many of the skills
you’ve probably already worked on in clinics
and everyday schooling. Many riders discover
that they can perform certain skills in isola-
tion, but weaving them together in a dressage
test is an unexpected challenge. But it’s a chal-
lenge that often gets riders hooked.
Below are some tips and guidelines to get
you started or further your involvement with
the sport.MAKinG ContACt
The fi rst question that arises for most people,
especially those coming from other western
disciplines like reining or pleasure showing, is
how much—or how little—contact the horse
and rider should have with the bit.
The short answer is a slight positive tension.
The longer answer is that it all depends onhow ideal the horse’s body carriage and gaits
are. In other words, slackness or drape in the
reins will not be prioritized above the horse
moving with correct rhythm, body mechanics
and alignment.
A western dressage horse moving correctly
on the bit should stretch into the contact. He
shouldn’t be shown with exaggeratedly draped
reins. Instead, there should be light rein tone
evident. It should appear that the horse is
seeking a feel of your hands, with his neck
arching and stretching forward from his body.
This is called “looking through” the bridle.
As the horse progresses through the levels
of training and showing, it’s expected that the
rein contact will become lighter as a result of
attaining perfect posture and balance. At this
point, the reins will appear nearly loose.
Riding one- or two-handed is permitted, but
you must perform the entire test without chang-
ing back and forth. Curb and snaffl e bits are
permitted, with snaffl e bits being most common.
Using strong, visible rein cues, constantly
bumping the bit, or causing a horse to gape his
mouth are considered serious faults. Special
emphasis is given to a quiet mouth with head
carriage that refl ects the appropriate degree
of collection and balance for each individual
horse. This means the judge takes account of
your horse’s natural conformation and balance
when evaluating his specifi c outline or frame
during competition.western training
This relatively new sport is quickly gaining popularity and
can be done by any western pair with a good foundation.BY JEC A. BALLOU / PHOTOS BY ELIZABETH MOYER