western dressage

Western dressage is similar to traditional (also known as English) dressage. It requires that riders perform various movements in an arena with letters. In western dressage, the tack, attire, and certain movements may be different. When schooling at home, it can be helpful for both English and western riders to follow the training pyramid. The...

Is it on your bucket list to try a new discipline? Perhaps, you’ve always been interested in Western Dressage. This exciting type of riding is starting to gain a lot of attention. It combines dressage movements and Western tack. Riders complete tests in various levels to receive scores. Beginner usually start with intro, basic, or...

In most Western disciplines, the rider will sit to their horse’s trot. There are a few occasions where posting will be encouraged and almost necessary. In order to be a versatile rider, it’s important you learn how to do it correctly. Why Do Riders Post? There are a few reasons some riders prefer to post...

The terms western dressage and cowboy dressage were used interchangeably for a long time. It was only when the Western Dressage Association of America was formed that the disciplines became separate. Both can be enjoyed by western riders and their horses though. What is Western dressage? Except for the notable difference in tack, Western dressage...

The 74th annual Del Mar National Horse Show is a three-week long, internationally known horse show for which cowgirls and boys travel far and wide to compete. The horse show runs for three weeks, incorporating both English and Western riding. On April 16th, the event began in Del Mar, California with Western Week. This week...

From ponies to Percherons, from mustangs to mules, equines and their riders convened in Rancho Murieta, Calif., this past October to learn from master horseman Eitan Beth-Halachmy, from each other, and to compete in the 2018 Cowboy Dressage World Gathering and Finals. The discipline of Cowboy Dressage, with its emphasis on building a relationship of...

With a little faith and determination, Cobra went from an untrainable mustang to a champion. This inspirational story will leave you awestruck. It’s all about second chances and not giving up. Mustangs can be great horses if you’re willing to put in the effort! There’s over 50,000 mustangs in holding pens. Will you take a...

Western dressage has gained momentum recently as more and more riders have become interested in learning more about the relatively new riding discipline. I sat down with Erin Reid, a western dressage instructor in Arizona, to learn more about this fascinating style of riding and what makes it so unique. Erin Reid has been teaching...