Earlier this month, the AQHA show held in Venice, Florida premiered two new classes–Western Dressage and Performance Hunter Under Saddle. On January 10th, the show debuted the first USEF recognized Western Dressage event as well as the first Performance Hunter Under Saddle class. Both events were well attended by both entry standards and by viewers.
While Western Dressage and Performance Hunter Under Saddle classes are not currently AQHA approved classes, proposals have been submitted and will be presented at the 2015 AQHA Convention in March. Many people are excited about the possibility of these classes becoming approved and available at future AQHA Shows. This is the first year USEF has recognized Western Dressage as a discipline.
Western Dressage
Western Dressage merges the conventional sequential and progressive training methods from traditional Dressage with conventional stock horse gaits. Like traditional Dressage, Western Dressage aims to find balance, cadence and carriage through a series of progressive tests. The tests are designed to determine the horse and rider’s competency in core skills. Currently Western Dressage horses are tested at six levels: Introductory, Basic, Levels 1 – 3 and Freestyle.
In Venice, Western Dressage ended the day with approximately 50 tests (exhibitors). Announcer Jason Curtis, who has announced at prestigious Dressage events including Wellington and Devon, said for a one-day show, the number of entries was excellent. Held in the Grand Prix arena, everyone preparing their Quarter Horses for Saturday’s competition had a view of the event from all four sides.
GoHorseShow’s Stephanie Lynn was honored to be able to ride in the first-ever USEF recognized Western Dressage class. Lynn made her debut with Ride The Blue Sky, the horse she showed to a 2014 Congress Championship in Senior Pleasure Driving.
GoHorseShow’s Stephanie Lynn was honored to be able to ride in the first-ever USEF recognized Western Dressage class. Lynn made her debut with Ride The Blue Sky, the horse she showed to a 2014 Congress Championship in Senior Pleasure Driving.
“It was fun!” Lynn told us. “I did Level 1, Test 1, and the test ride took two to three minutes – a really nice long pattern that displayed 20 and 10 meter circles at the trot, 20 meter circles at the lope, transitions, halts, turns on the forehand. It was fun for those who like precision work and patterns. Someone read the pattern for me in case I forgot where I was going.”
According to Lynn, there are four test patterns for each level.
“I think riders who like patterns are going to love it – especially people who may no longer be able to ride with the posture of their youth, but are still effective riders,” Lynn explained. “Western Dressage judges a rider’s effectiveness, not so much their posture and position. Position of horse is paramount, correctness of gaits, impulsion etc.”
Lynn says that she showed in the class to show support for the event. “I rode without chaps, in a cowboy hat, and work saddle. I wish I had gotten a little more gussied up, but the judge did not remark on either. They are simply judging the horse and his or her response to the rider.”
“It is really a good introduction to all the fundamental maneuvers that we already require our horses to know and understand,” Lynn states. “The tests look for the horse’s understanding and ability to perform without resistance or irritability. I hope that people will give it a chance and not discount it before they learn about the sport. It will be popular and our horse is perfectly suited for the event.”
Performance Hunter Under Saddle
The inaugural Performance Hunter Under Saddle event is intended for the horse that actually showed over fences. The class gave those who don’t usually show in AQHA Hunter Under Saddle classes an opportunity to show their hunters under saddle. Horses must have shown in a Working Hunter or Hunter Hack class during the AQHA split/combined show held in combination with the Derby. Twelve horses were shown in this first-of-its-kind class. Polls appeared to be above the withers, and riders both sat and rode in a half-seat at the canter. There was no misbehavior and the best mover won the class.
“All in all, it was a historic day and a great day to be at a horse show enjoying a ride,” Lynn states. “The sun was out and horse show goers found a shared enthusiasm for their discipline, no matter the tack.”
