Western Dressage
Western Dressage
A favorite quote of mine from Egon von Neindorff.
“Originally the object of training in dressage was to create surefooted and obedient horses for riding in rough terrain. Dressage was a means to an end not an end in itself.”
To me Western Dressage is about horsemanship at its finest. It is an art form and is a never-ending process. I believe the horse should be treated with kindness and that we should strive for what helps the horse mentally, emotionally and physically.
It is about taking the time to study the classical principles and sift through the volumes of knowledge that have been written over the years to find what works best for each horse as an individual. It is about helping your horse to become the best he can be while preserving his dignity.
Western Dressage is also about being open to other philosophies of horsemanship and learning to be creative in your horsemanship as opposed to just learning systems in a mechanical way.
Western riding has been a practical discipline based on the needs of working cattle and ranch work. Modern Dressage has its origins in classical horsemanship but has evolved into a sport. Classical horsemanship is the art of riding and was elevated to a high art form by the European riding masters.
Western dressage is a blend of the practical, artistic and sport. The aim is to acquaint western riders with the art of classical horsemanship and to use it to improve their western horse.
The elements that make a Western Dressage Rider & Horse are
Balance, Relaxation, Impulsion, Flexibility, Mobility, and Collection.
Western Dressage is for riders that want to use dressage (which translates to training in French) but want to adapt it for western horses and use western tack. It is different from the sport of Dressage, which is primarily ridden on Warm bloods with English tack and more extended gaits.
I invite you to come to one of my Western Dressage clinics. I offer a unique clinic series that is one of a kind.
I take riders who know very little about dressage and by the end of the four part series they have a working understanding of dressage fundamentals such as shoulder in, leg yield, haunches in, half pass and flying lead changes.
One of my goals is to help take the “mystery” out of dressage terms. I help my students understand why we are doing the exercises and how they are connected.
I show them what they need to do to get the move and how to do it.
I explain how dressage can be applied in a practical way for all types of riding.
If you would like to participate in one of these clinics or would like to host one at your facility please contact sarah@jacklieser.com
When I first heard there was a new association being formed called the Western Dressage Association I knew I had to investigate. My wife and I went to the first clinic in the fall of 2010 as auditors. Jack Brainard taught the clinic in North Texas. The day after the clinic was over we were invited to listen in at the first official meeting, which included some well-known people in the horse industry.
What we heard at the meeting was the first brain storming session and planning of an awesome new vision for the horse world. It has since taken off and is gaining interest fast.
I have been teaching horsemanship for the past 15 years and did not have a “name” for what I taught or an association to affiliate myself with that felt right to me. When I heard what they were trying to do I decided I had found something I really wanted to be a part of.
I have been involved in the Western Dressage Association from the beginning because I like and respect the horsemen that helped found it and the great group of people that make up the board that are helping move it forward.
I have been teaching clinics for the past 15 years using classical principles combined with natural horsemanship. I believe people and horses learn best when they can put their knowledge to the test in a fun atmosphere.
There are many riders out there that would like to learn about classical horsemanship that may not want to compete in the sport of dressage.
I met a roping clinician and owner of an established Quarter Horse farm in Nebraska last summer. Much to my surprise he pulled out Francois Robichon de la Guerinere’s famous book “School of Horsemanship” when I mentioned the WDAA to him. He has studied it for years! This is a perfect example of how classical principles can help all riders.
Classical Horsemanship has been practiced for a long time but until now there have not been any organizations to educate western riders about it. The Western Dressage Association is not just for western riders but for all riders who want to improve their horsemanship.
I hope you will go this website www.westerndressageassociation.org and read the mission statement about how you can get involved.
Also, for those of you that would like to join the Texas affiliate of the Western Dressage Assoiciation please click here.
For a schedule of my Western Dressage Clinics please go to the events page.
Thank You,
Jack
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