Why Western Dressage?

Western Dressage has a long list of benefits, but this blog post will be very biased.

I grew up in a very competitive horse world atmosphere as so many of us did. Not only was it not great for my riding or mental state, it wasn't great for the horses. Now I'm not talking about horse shows I'm talking more about the screaming, the end goals, the do anything it takes to make the horse appear to be "on the bit". I always knew it didn't feel right, now that of course is not everyone, just the atmosphere I was exposed to when I was young. I sought out different styles of teaching as I got older and found so many incredibly kind trainers that were very much about the horse in many different disciplines.

I started to teach "Yoga for Every Equestrian" to include more mindfulness in my own teaching and to reconnect to our why, while also helping people through correct biomechanics. The more I teach these clinics the more I see our horses make beautiful transformations when we just become more present.

On this journey to continually looking for avenues that would help my students and personal horses I found Holly Winkeljohn who is a phenomenal trainer near Tampa Florida. She teaches traditional dressage and western dressage, this is when I was first ever introduced to it. Holly has such an incredible passion for her students and the horses that I knew if she loved it I would also love it.

From there I started working at Palm Equestrian Academy out of my desire to keep learning, what I first noticed is how happy the horses were. How "effortlessly" they came through their backs. Now obviously we know it is not effortless, it takes a lot of work to get to that level in our own positions, but the horse certainly wasn't forced. That is how Cyril and Lynn train all their horses in any discipline. While studying there my riding transformed and so did the horses I rode. It felt magical and I hope everyone gets to feel that level of true connection and synergy in their riding.

Truly a partnership moving together, not a rider and horse. "Harmony" the center of the wheel.

I started to study the western dressage training wheel and when I saw harmony at the center I knew this was my new discipline.

So what is it about western dressage?

First, it is inclusive. In the judging program we are extensively taught biomechanics of INDIVIDUAL horses which means we are not judging a quarter horse and a warmblood the same. That is why it is inclusive to gaited horses as well. You can advance up the levels through correct training. It is accessible! Even in showing, the online shows make it more achievable.

Secondly, the community. Something about the western dressage world attracts kind and like minded people (for the most part LOL).

Thirdly, it is versatile, useful, and adaptable for various disciplines, it does not have to be about competing. It is practical. I love to talk about western dressage to my clients as physical therapy for their horses. No matter what discipline you do western dressage can be an incredible foundation, or it can be your all.

Fourthly, it is focused on the physical and MENTAL well-being of the horse. That means that rules are thought out from the well being of the horse. I love that at the forefront of intention. You can feel it in every movement.

Fifthly, produces a physically strong, balanced, supple and flexible horse with a calm and confident demeanor. Serving them in and out of the ring. Who doesn't want that? It is truly based on what is right for the horse and rider. Correct movement.

What is the purpose of western dressage?

According to WDAA the purpose of western dressage:

The primary purpose of Western Dressage is to foster a harmonious partnership between horse and rider by combining the systematic principles of classical dressage with the traditions and philosophies of Western horsemanship