AQHA Partners with Western Dressage Association of America

AQHA supports the Western Dressage Association of America in its mission to build an equine community that combines the western traditions of horse and rider with classical dressage. The American Quarter Horse Association is proud to announce its partnership with the Western Dressage Association of America. This alliance was formed as a result from the approval of western dressage as a new class starting at AQHA events in 2020. WDAA was established in 2011 with the mission of building an equine community that combines the western traditions of horse and rider with classical dressage. With more than 1,500 members, WDAA is recognized as the sole affiliate representing the discipline of western dressage...

My Journey to Western Dressage

Western Dressage came along at a good time in my life and the life of my horse.  I have a long and varied background in traditional dressage, and I have taken advantage of many educational opportunities through the US Dressage Federation and US Equestrian Federation over the years.  I have also been an active participant in my local dressage club, Kansas Dressage and Eventing Association.  As a result of my experiences and education, I'm an L-graduate (able to judge dressage schooling shows), as well as an “r”  Technical Delegate for dressage shows (rules enforcement at dressage shows).  I have also been a secretary or manager for both schooling and recognized...

Breyerfest 2019

Because of my love for the western horse, along with traditional dressage, I knew western dressage was made for me. In my years of classical dressage, part of my training was devoted to produce a more willing western equine partner. In 2010 I purchased Truly Unsurpassed (“Calico”) with the idea that one day we would participate and grow in western dressage as a team. I never dreamed that Truly Unsurpassed would live up to her name. When I made the decision to start this new journey together in western dressage, I made a plan, and within three years, we earned top honors in the WDAA shows, performing from Basic level...

Welsh Cob Gallod Ffantastic Achieves WDAA Supreme Champion

The WDAA Horse Lifetime Points & Awards Program (known as WHLPAP) was initiated just under 4 years ago, right after the 2015 WDAA World Show.  In this program, horses are competing at WDAA recognized shows, which are adjudicated by USEF-licensed western dressage judges and occasionally by USEF-licensed dressage judges, assuring that the tests are evaluated by knowledgeable, trained individuals. The recognized shows also require that tests are those produced by WDAA. The program is growing and so are the horses and riders. The first horse to reach the highest award level was a lovely Paint mare Truly Unsurpassed, owned and ridden by Nancy Conley from Georgia. And now, just under...

2019 WDAWI Western Dressage Show Recap

Our inaugural show was a success! We held our first WDAA and USEF Lite show at the Bit and Spur Saddle Club grounds in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on June 15th and 16th. Friday move-in day brought some strong storms with heavy rain, but both show days were beautiful. We were so excited to welcome Judge Lynn Palm to our corner of country. Ms. Palm had our competitors leaving the ring feeling happy and accomplished with her knowledgeable and thoughtful feedback. There were 95 entries throughout both days of showing. Also, it was exciting to have spectators who stopped by the office to ask more about western dressage as it was...

WDAA is proud to announce that the Thoroughbred Makeover will now include Western Dressage!!

Retired Racehorse Project Adds Western Dressage to 2019Thoroughbred Makeover: Apply Now! Contact: Kristen Kovatch Bentley (215) 589-0993 | kbentley@retiredracehorseproject.org   Retired Racehorse Project announced in December 2018 that western dressage would be a new addition to the popular Thoroughbred Makeover competition for 2019. The inclusion of western dressage has been met with great support from past Makeover competitors, with hopeful trainers currently applying through January 15th to compete in the 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover. Dressage and western dressage will compete side-by-side in the Dressage division at the 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover in a standard arena before one judge; western dressage competitors will ride the Western Dressage Association of America 2017 Basic Level...

Looking Back on a Successful Show

Competition with camaraderie: That’s what summed up the sixth annual Western Dressage World Championship Show, held Sept. 27-30 at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla. There was camaraderie between fellow exhibitors, amongst the cadre of volunteers who showed up to make things happen, and most especially between horses and their riders – the most important beneficiaries of this sport that fosters that essential partnership.Final numbers showed nearly 900 rides, 202 exhibitors and 178 horses, hailing from 32 states from coast to coast, as well as Canada. Forty breeds of horses were represented, everything from stock breeds to gaited horses to POAs and ponies – and even one mule.Competitors were...

Western Dressage in The North Texas Horse Review