The list of headliners for this year’s Western States Horse Expo, June 6-8, in Sacramento, CA, is bound to please all attendees. Clinicians include Chris Cox, John Lyons, Jane Savoie, Jonathan Field, Bob Avila, Al Dunning, Richard Shrake, Dana Boyd-Miller, Sandy Collier, Angelia Almos, Bonnie Davis, David Lichman, Scot Hansen, Muffy Seaton, Rallie McAllister, Donna Snyder-Smith, and Charles Wilhelm. This stellar line-up represents experts in multiple disciplines: starting the young horse,...

A five-part series to learn more about the exciting new discipline of Western Dressage Part 1: What is Western Dressage? When most equestrians think of "dressage", they envision the graceful harmony of beautiful horses with riders clad in top hats and tails, dancing together through musical freestyles in an Olympic stadium. But now, an increasing number of competitors entering dressage arenas will be wearing Western hats and boots with their horses outfitted in stock saddles. What's going...

Parker, Colorado – USEF Western Dressage and the Western Dressage Association of America are offering a Group Apprentice Judging program at the 2015 WDAA World Championship show on November 6-8, 2015. Janet (Dolly) Hannon will be the judge directing this program; she will be assisted by Joyce Swanson and Karen Homer Brown who are clinicians for the WDAA Judges Seminar. The WDAA Group Apprentice Judging opportunity will fulfill one apprentice judging experience for those applying for their...

Although some of you may think Western Dressage is new; when I discovered the Western Dressage Association of America was formed 2 years ago, my first thought was “there is actually a name for it?” For well over 30 years, I have taught riders the wisdom of dressage to Western riders. Through the years, I have been contacted to resolve issues with horses and riders working on games, pleasure and reining. I have always addressed the issues the same. Learn the basics, understand the...

One of the many wonders of Western Dressage is about the Journey. This Journey is one of education, growth, fun, friendships and of course, horses. Western heritage commonly references the tales shared out on the trail and around the campfire. These tales could be life changing experiences, important lessons, new knowledge, or just general fun. The Western Dressage Association® of America is inviting members to share the stories of their Western Dressage Journey. The WDAA is looking for...

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 -...

Good afternoon USEF Western Dressage members, As a result of a rule change for Western Dressage that went into effect on 12/1/2019, Western Dressage award categories have been extended to Open/Amateurs/Juniors for all tests as well as the newly added WD Suitability, Hack, Seat Horsemanship, and Seat on the Rail classes. As a result of this expansion, your points will now be categorized depending on which class you have ridden in. In order to ensure clarity for all exhibitors, the different ways...

Lexington, Ky. - The Split Rock Jumping Tour, a new international show jumping series making its debut in 2015 in Lexington, Kentucky, the "Horse Capital of the World," is excited to announce a partnership with the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Foundation. A portion of proceeds from all sales of Split Rock Jumping Tour Hospitality packages will go directly to the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Foundation to support their programs. "We are thrilled to help support the local...

Part 2 in a five-part series about the exciting new discipline of western dressage More and more western riders are thinking about trying the exciting new discipline of western dressage. While the progressive training principles of dressage can be a benefit to any horse's development, riders will discover that trotting down the centerline of a dressage arena is a very different experience than they may be used to for a western pleasure or reining show. The first and most obvious difference...

July 31 through August 4 Murieta Equestrian Center in Rancho Murieta California will be the site for the 2013 “Gold N Grand Cowboy Dressage Show.” The show sports 42 classes with competitive divisions for open, amateur and youth riders who will be riding walk/jog and walk/jog/lope and Cowboy Challenge tests. As of this writing, there were 165 rides scheduled in three days! Such a fabulous turnout for Cowboy Dressage in Northern California. Show official Michele Dodge will oversee 3...