WHAT IS WESTERN DRESSAGE?

Western Dressage integrates the historically validated principles of dressage with the best of Western Working Horse tradition. It is a systematic and progressive system of training for the Western horse and rider, in the traditional stock tack with the purpose of enjoying a safe, pleasurable, versatile, and useful working horse. Whether your ultimate goal is in the show pen, barrel racing, ranch work, or trail riding; discover the benefits of Western Dressage in the development of your horse and your partnership.

WHAT IS THE WESTERN DRESSAGE ASSOCIATION® OF AMERICA (WDAA)?

The Western Dressage Association® of America (WDAA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit with a mission focused on the education of the rider and well-being of the horse. The WDAA was organized to provide western riders and horses educational opportunities and programs to aid their Western Dressage journey.

IS WESTERN DRESSAGE FOR ANY BREED OF HORSE?

Absolutely! Any breed of horse and every horse of unknown breeding can and is welcome to participate in Western Dressage. The WDAA encourages all breeds and of equines, including mules, to become involved in this discipline that provides the education and training for the horse to become more balanced and athletic and the rider to become more skilled and lighter.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WESTERN DRESSAGE AND TRADITIONAL DRESSAGE?

Elements of the two disciplines are very similar. Both wish to create a better horse and rider with the use of structured and focused training and progressive physical and mental development. Both look for balance, cadence, and carriage and share fundamentals. In addition, each discipline uses tests as an opportunity to evaluate the progress of horse and rider through feedback.

The disciplines differ in the execution of the fundamental elements. As the horse and rider progress through the levels of Western Dressage, the test elements become increasingly reflective of movements, maneuvers, and duties asked of a western horse. The Western Dressage horse needs to be handy, willing, safe, and calm while demonstrating pure gaits and lightness. The Western Dressage horse is evaluated with the conformation and movement of today’s western horses in mind. In keeping with tradition, Western Dressage is shown in western tack and the rider wears clothing of western style.

It is not the goal of Western Dressage to create western horses that compete in traditional dressage, but to develop better western horses and offer additional rider education through the understanding and use of principles of dressage and good horsemanship.

DO YOU RIDE WITH ONE HAND OR TWO HANDS FOR WESTERN DRESSAGE?

The rider must use two hands with a snaffle bit. A rider may use one or two hands with a curb bit but must complete the entire test in the same manner as they start the test. Switching from one hand to two hands or vice versa during a test is considered an error.

DO I NEED SPECIAL TACK, EQUIPMENT, OR CLOTHING TO SHOW IN WESTERN DRESSAGE?

No, there is no need for special tack or embellishments. Good, clean, functional, working western tack is perfect for Western Dressage. The recommended rider attire is more conservative in style with the goal of keeping the focus on the horse. Helmets or western hats are required, but the preference for one or another is up to the rider.

Full details regarding tack, equipment and attire can be found in the USEF rulebook.

The WDAA Equipment and Attire Guidelines that include the rules and examples of legal and illegal tack can be downloaded from the Western Dressage website.

CAN I SHOW WESTERN DRESSAGE IN A HELMET?

Yes, helmets are optional apparel in western dressage and highly encouraged for competitors of all ages. Protective headgear is acceptable and not required to be of western style. Suitable western hats are also allowed.

ARE CHAPS ALLOWED IN WESTERN DRESSAGE?

Yes, riders may choose to include chaps, shotgun chaps, or chinks as part of their attire.

WHERE ARE THE CURRENT WESTERN DRESSAGE RULES POSTED AND HOW DO YOU SUBMIT A RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL?

You can find the Western Dressage rules written by the WDAA and adopted by the USEF Western Dressage division on our Western Dressage Rules, Tests & Guidelines Page.

There is no specific WDAA rule proposal download link. All rule changes go through the USEF rule change proposal process and form. That link can be found on our USEF partnership page (https://www.westerndressageassociation.org/usef-partnership).

Rule Changes | US Equestrian (usef.org)

Drafts Portal - United States Equestrian Federation (usef.org)

We are in the process of putting together a how-to section for rule proposals to add to that USEF partner page.

 The USEF Western Dressage committee is responsible for reviewing rule proposals that are developed by the Affiliate (which can be submitted by members) and other committees within USEF as well as creating rule proposals as needed.

WHAT ARE WESTERN DRESSAGE TESTS?

Western Dressage tests are both fun, competitive challenges and educational opportunities. With each test and each level, the physical and mental expectations of the horse and rider partnership increase, building on the previously mastered elements. The partnership is evaluated on their preparation, knowledge, progress, and harmony. Test scores with feedback give the rider a learning tool from which to develop future lesson and training plans as well as to celebrate the accomplishments and successes along the way.

Download the tests and start learning!

DOES THE WDAA RELEASE NEW TESTS EACH YEAR?

No, WDAA tests are created to be available to use over multiple years. They are titled with the year in which they were first used, and that title remains in place for the duration of the years the test is in use. The WDAA may also add new test levels or Freestyles some years.

CAN I HAVE A READER FOR MY TEST?

All western dressage tests may be called during the competition. If the test is to be called, it is the responsibility of the competitor to arrange for a person to call the test.

CAN GAITED HORSES PARTICIPATE IN WESTERN DRESSAGE AND ARE THE TESTS DIFFERENT?

Gaited horses are welcomed and encouraged to participate in Western Dressage. The gaited horse will perform an intermediate or saddle gait in place of the jog in the current WDAA Western Dressage tests. The intermediate or saddle gait is a 4-beat lateral or diagonal gait, timely and evenly performed. The tempo, rhythm, and foot falls of the gait they choose to show must not change throughout the test. This true 4-beat gait the horse performs should be able to be ridden in a working, lengthened, free, and collected manner as the Western Dressage test calls for. Gaited Horse guidelines are available on the Western Dressage Rules and Guidelines page.

HOW CAN I LEARN TO RIDE WESTERN DRESSAGE?

There are a few options for you to learn about Western Dressage. One way would be to take lessons from an instructor who is familiar with the Western Dressage rules and practices. The WDAA directory provides names and contacts for people who offer teaching Western Dressage riding skills. This directory may be searched by state or by an instructor’s name (https://www.westerndressageassociation.org/wdaa-directories#/). 

You may also find there are clinics being held near you. WDAA has several affiliate associations throughout the country, and many of them offer teaching clinics where you can participate or audit. A list of our affiliates and their websites and/or Facebook pages are available from the WDAA website: https://www.westerndressageassociation.org/state-affiliates.

WDAA also has an online educational option available only to its members. This Learning Management System (LMS) has many narrated videos to see western dressage tests being ridden in all levels and hear from judges about the quality of each movement: 

HOW DO I JOIN THE WESTERN DRESSAGE ASSOCIATION® OF AMERICA AND WHAT DOES MY MEMBERSHIP INCLUDE?

To become a member of the Western Dressage Association® of America, simply click on “JOIN” in the main menu on the WDAA home page https://www.westerndressageassociation.org/ and select “Become a New Member” from the drop-down menu. Benefits of membership are also listed in the drop-down menu under the “JOIN” menu item.

DOES MEMBERSHIP COST THE SAME IF I LIVE OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES?

Yes. WDAA welcomes members from all 50 states and from any country to join us without any increased rates for members of other countries.

WHAT ARE WDAA STATE AFFILIATES AND DO I HAVE TO JOIN ONE?

State Affiliates are the educational partners of WDAA for a geographical area, so they have great value to the discipline and those seeking to participate in it. These groups operate as nonprofits as a 501 (c) 3. There is no requirement for anyone to join a state affiliate, but we encourage everyone interested in Western Dressage to seek out an affiliate near them (or even one that is distant if they have a program or activity that appeals to you that does not require physical presence for participation). Each affiliate has its own board of directors, develops its own programs, hosts or manages shows and/or clinics, and provides support and promotion for Western Dressage. Each member of a state affiliate must be a member of WDAA. Visit affiliate websites and Facebook pages for contacts and other information: https://www.westerndressageassociation.org/state-affiliates. 

WHAT POINTS OR AWARDS PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE?

The WDAA Horse Lifetime Points & Awards Program (WHLPAP) is our program for horses to earn awards and be recognized for their accomplishments over their lifetime as you achieve test scores and rail class placings in Western Dressage shows at all levels. Rules and other information are available at https://wdaalifetimepoints.org. 

WDAA state affiliates also have year-end horse and rider medal awards. Visit their websites and Facebook pages to learn more about their award programs: https://www.westerndressageassociation.org/state-affiliates. 

WHO CAN JUDGE WDAA WESTERN DRESSAGE SHOWS?

Only USEF-licensed western dressage judges are eligible to judge WDAA western dressage show. As of April 2023, there are 32 small ‘r’ (recorded) judges. These judges are eligible to judge Intro, Basic, and Level 1 tests and all rail classes. There are also 61 large ‘R’ (registered) judge, who can judge all test levels and all rail classes. WDAA provides a judges education seminar each year to help the small ‘r’ judges to eventually become registered judges and for the recorded judges to increase their education to maintain their credentials.

ARE THERE WESTERN DRESSAGE SHOWS OR CLASSES IN MY AREA?

There are many Western Dressage shows across the country throughout the year. The majority of the shows being held have been recognized by WDAA so that competitors who have enrolled their horses in our WHLPAP can earn points for their horse toward their lifetime awards. Some of the Western Dressage shows are online, some are free-standing Western Dressage schooling shows, some are a division at USEF-licensed breed shows, and there are some classical dressage shows that offer Western Dressage classes. Click here to look through the WDAA calendar of events on our home page.

DO I HAVE TO JOIN ANY ORGANIZATIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN WESTERN DRESSAGE?

You do not have to be a member of WDAA to participate in Western Dressage schooling shows, but USEF-licensed Local and Regular shows with a Western Dressage division do require WDAA membership for all riders, owners, trainers, coaches, and lessees with horses entered in Western Dressage classes or pay a show pass fee. WDAA state affiliates may require membership in their affiliate if you want to earn points for yourself or your horse in their award programs. 

I AM PREPARING TO HOLD A SHOW, WHAT IS YOUR SUGGESTION FOR THE TIME TO SCHEDULE FOR EACH TEST?

A timetable for tests is provided on the WDAA website: https://wdaa.memberclicks.net/western-dressage-rules-guidelines

HOW CAN I ORGANIZE A WESTERN DRESSAGE CLINIC?

In almost all areas of the country, horse owners are eager to learn more about all aspects of horse ownership from care to riding to everything in between. Hosting a Western Dressage Clinic is a great way to learn more about Western Dressage. View this document to put together a successful clinic.