Western Dressage

When most people think of Western riding , they picture ranch riding; however, upon a closer look, this discipline is a lot more versatile than one may think. The Western discipline offers diverse opportunities that cater to a variety of breeds and riding styles. Arkansas equestrian Carol Jones, for example, has been riding and training in the Western discipline for over 30 years, and she is experienced in color breeds, stock horses, and quarter horses. “With the Western discipline in...

Ellen Di Bella receiving her 2019 U.S. Equesrtian Federation Lifetime Achievement Award (John Nation) Lexington, Ky. - Ellen DiBella’s influence on equestrian sport cannot be understated. She devoted her life to inspiring others, created opportunities for equestrians and their horses, and worked for every horse to be valued and cherished. DiBella passed away the evening of August 20, 2023. A resident of Parker, Colorado, Ellen was born July 26, 1944 to Edwin and Jane McCauley. She...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian would like to remind show managers and licensed officials that the Class Specifications Tool is available to assist in building judge’s cards for upcoming competitions. The tool provides the class title, judging specifications, class procedure, and USEF section code. The Class Specifications Tool is located on your licensed official's dashboard at officials.usef.org when you are logged in to your USEF.org account. Access the tool by clicking the...

From reining to dressage to equitation, the Western category encompasses multiple disciplines that are open to all. Photo: Courtesy of the Arabian Horse Association The Western category encompasses a wide variety of disciplines, including reining, trail, ranch, equitation, and Western dressage, all of which have lesson programs at barns across the country. “The lesson programs are such an important part of all of our breeds and all of our industries, because it's the way we're...

Lexington, Ky. - US Equestrian is pleased to announce Ryder Richardson (Parker, Colo.) as the winner of the 2022 USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award in recognition of his contributions and achievements this year. The USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award identifies outstanding youth members actively involved in their respective discipline or breed organizations and acknowledges their potential as future leaders in the equine industry. The American Connemara Pony Society and United States Hunter...

Ninety-five percent of Charles Owen helmets meet all three of the main international equestrian safety standards. Photo: Charles Owen Charles Owen has long been a name synonymous with safety and research in the equestrian industry. In 2021, the riding helmet manufacturer investigated mental health in riders for the first time in its history. The landmark study, conducted by University of Brighton MSc student Charlotte Ricca, involved over a thousand riders. “We were amazed by the amount...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian has announced updates for the Western dressage discipline regarding USEF Lite competitions and equitation patterns listed in Appendix A of the USEF Rulebook’s Western Dressage chapter. USEF Lite Competitions A Presidential Modification was recently approved so that only a USEF-licensed Western dressage judge may officiate a USEF Lite Western dressage competition for the 2022 competition year. Learn more about the USEF Lite program. Appendix A -...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applications for the Higher Education Equestrian Scholarship , which provides five $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors committed to continuing their involvement in equestrian sport while in college. Applicants must be active US Equestrian competing members or subscribers preparing to enter any college or university full-time in fall 2022. The scholarship is open to all 28 recognized breeds and...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce Rebecca Share (Potomac, Md.) as the winner of the 2021 USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award in recognition of her contributions and achievements this year. The USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award identifies outstanding youth members actively involved in their respective discipline or breed organizations and acknowledges their potential as future leaders in the equine industry. The American Vaulting Association (AVA) nominated Share, who...

Lexington, Ky. – A Presidential Modification to WD130 has been approved for the 2022 competition year. The Presidential Modification clarifies the recently updated rule, to now include “in the same competition year” at the conclusion of the added sentence, “To be eligible for Intro Level, a horse/rider combination must not have shown in a Western Dressage Test at First Level or above.” WD130 should be followed as written below for the 2022 competition year: 1....

Guthrie, Okla. – The Western Dressage Association of America is set to host a diverse group of riders and breeds for the 2021 World Championship Show from September 29 through October 3. After a virtual competition in 2020, the World Show returns to Guthrie, Okla., bringing together top combinations of all ages and abilities across the United States and Canada to share the love of Western dressage with their peers. Prize List Several classes are dedicated to the Heroes on Horses division,...

When Marine Corps veteran Jimmy Welch (Woodstock, Ill.) and dressage trainer Patti Gruber (Woodstock, Ill.) competed with two mustangs at the 2019 Western Dressage Association of America’s (WDAA) World Championship Show, they were also demonstrating the powerful impact a combination of Western dressage and mustangs can have in the healing process of both mind and body for veterans. The World Show first-timers also paid tribute to the flag and all veterans with a Color Guard every evening...