Western Dressage: A Means to an End

Western Dressage: A Means to an End

For well over 35 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 basics, and the issues will resolve themselves.

Jen and Harley. Forward and engaged in the collected jog. (Credit Les Norris)

One of my first professional encounters dealing with Western horses came in the early 80’s. A gelding was having difficulty maintaining the quality of the jog and lope work. Realistically, it was not the horse that needed work; it was the rider. After addressing the proper use of the riders’ seat, and their understanding of how the core of the rider can influence the movement of the horse, things began to come together. We worked on many transitions and circles with Sue and her gelding. If she understood how her body influenced the gaits by 80 percent, not her hands; her attempts to ride the horse in a consistent tempo would be a lot easier. At the next show, she won her class.

I saw Sue again a few years after our lessons together. She reminded me of how much I helped her, and because of that training they had developed a great partnership and successful show career.



In January 2013, I was contacted by Jen, who is an avid Extreme Cowboy rider. Jen has a young horse that she will be campaigning in the Extreme Cowboy circuit.  She wants to bring out the best in her horse, and was very curious as to how dressage principles could help her smooth out Harley’s performance. Just like riding over fences or obstacles, the quality of the work is 90 percent of the success.

We have worked together consistently since 2013 focusing on the basics of attention, relaxation and balance. It was discovered that Harley’s quality of paces were being hampered by crookedness. That was easily solved by working on the balance of the rider and Jen figuring out where Harley’s balance line actually was. Transitions and lateral work have been used to have Harley use himself and become stronger in the hindquarters.  He is now becoming well balanced and engaged. The collected work has begun, and the flying changes are being developed. Harley’s jumping ability and speed have greatly improved. His transitions are now impeccable. Most importantly, the rider has learned to ride her horse correctly, as well as understand her horse. In October of 2013 Harley and Jen won the Ontario Pro and Non-Pro Finals! Update:
The pair have gone on to win 5 World Championships in Level 1,2 and 3 Western Dressage in 2014 and 2015! 
Harley's Flying Changes are now flawless and is progressing into a 4th Level Dressage equivalent schooling. With sites to compete in Working Equitation in 2016 as well as Western Dressage. 

The bottom line benefits of Western Dressage really break down into two avenues… having riders train and progress through levels to ride tests at shows, or to use the correct dressage principles to improve their style of Western riding. 

Either way, it’s a win-win situation.