Guthrie, Okla. – The Western Dressage Association of America (WDAA) recently concluded the 14th annual World Championship Show at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla. From September 15-19, the World Show brought together the top combinations in western dressage across 28 states, from Alaska to Florida and Massachusetts to California. With 155 world championship titles on the line, judges Carol Bishop (Gastonia, N.C.), Michell Combs (Peoria, Ariz.), Marie Maloney (Wichita, Kan.), Janice Mumford (Savannah, Ga.), and Lynn Palm (Lowell, Fla.) saw strong tests throughout the competition.
The 2026 WDAA World Championship, featuring five days of competition, drew over 238 horse-and-rider combinations for 170 different classes across 31 divisions. Held across four arenas, all levels of juniors, amateurs, and open riders came together to present their horsemanship and love for western dressage. With 1,123 individual tests ridden throughout the week, the playing field was highly competitive, with championship titles, high-score breed awards, and divisional championship buckles up for grabs. Known for its inclusivity, the WDAA World Show welcomed all breeds, with 48 different breeds showing a range of skill levels from the walk-trot Intro Level, up to Level 5 with its flying changes and collections. In addition, the exceptional and therapeutic rider division provided opportunities for physically and emotionally challenged riders to show their horses.
Some of the most celebrated high score awards highlighted the diversity of riders competing in western dressage. Nichole Phillips (Hummelstown, Pa.) won the High Score Veteran Award with Federico SFI. The Silver Spur Award, awarded to the high-point horse and rider whose combined age is at least 75 years old, went to David Eaton (Hot Springs, Ark.) and Sir Tezaro. Amateur rider Carmen Hanson (Myakka, Fla.) and Cponies Kraken were awarded the High Score Greenhorn Award, presented to the highest-scoring combination competing at the World Show for the first time.
The fifth annual WDAA Harmony Award went to Karoline Echterbecker (Commerce, Texas) and Head Spinnin Gold. Awarded a custom-made silver buckle donated by Skyline Vaquero Silversmiths, the pair earned an 8.0 or higher for harmony, at both the 2026 WDAA Online International Show and the 2026 WDAA World Championship Show.
USEF Western Dressage Seat Medal Final
The inaugural USEF Western Dressage Seat Medal Final spotlights the growing discipline of western dressage and celebrates the correct training and equitation that goes into a successful partnership. The medal is a combined equitation class, with both an on the rail section and a horsemanship pattern with each portion totaling 50% of the rider's final score. In the end, Jessica Schultz (Stillwater, Okla.) and The Devils Reject clinched the champion title with a final score of 82.
“It feels great. I was not prepared for the no-stirrup work and have not done that since my college days, so I feel good that I stayed on top and kept my position, so that was excellent,” Schultz said. “I wasn’t too sure if we were going to make it this year, but my horse felt great today, and that’s all I can ask for.”
©Vince LeMaster Photography
After The Devils Reject sustained a rattlesnake bite less than a month ago, Schultz was uncertain whether her 2016 Quarter Horse gelding (Six Arrow Barb x FFR Hollywood Melody) would recover in time. It took a few days for most of the swelling to go down, but “Jamison,” as he’s affectionately known, made a full recovery and came into the ring ready to work.
“He felt great in the pattern, but he thought the free jog meant being a little creative,” she laughed. “He got back on track, and I’m glad he was willing to do his job today.”
Schultz purchased Jamison as a green broke 3-year-old intending to make him a reiner, but Schultz soon figured out it wasn’t the gelding’s calling. Turning him into a ranch horse also proved futile but western dressage was a good fit.
“We’ve been doing it for six years now. We were doing the AQHA, but I needed something to do with him, and he’s a fantastic mover, so we moved to Oklahoma, and here we are,” Schultz said.
The pair’s journey was not without some bumps in the road, and the training process proved to be more difficult than expected.
“I had to rethink my training and work with him. If he’s not in the mood, you’re better off going for a trail ride,” she explained. “Over the last couple of years, it’s really come together, and we’re ready to finally get our lead change and move up to fourth level.”
When asked about having a Medal Final class, Schultz said, “I think it’s going to help everyone step up their game. We all tend to be a little lazy in our equitation, and I think it’s a great opportunity.
“Being able to invite everyone to participate makes it so inclusive, and I think it’s a very approachable event.”
The World Show is the pinnacle event for this discipline that melds the precision of classical dressage with the western traditions that grew in the American West. It is WDAA’s mission to honor the horse and to value the partnership between horse and rider.
The Western Dressage Association of America is a recognized affiliate of US Equestrian. Keep up with Western Dressage by following the WDAA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.