Our Rules incorporate elements of both Western and Dressage disciplines. Their revision was a collaborative effort on the part of member feedback, evaluation of respected horse people and equine organizations, and edited by a team of our Advisory Board members championed by Anita Owen, FEI Olympic Dressage judge.
Our resulting Rules are designed for use by judges and show managers, but also for riders of all experience levels. These Rules are a wonderful educational tool with highlights that include detailed gait descriptions, movements and goals and objectives – all of which will help design a progressive learning and training program regardless of intent to show or ride in any other discipline. Our WDAA Western Dressage Rules & Tests can also be found in on USEF under the Morgan Breed division (rules have been modified for breed specifics).
These newly revised WDAA Rules are available for the 2013 competition year when they go into effect. WDAA Western Dressage classes will continue to be judged by USEF/USDF dressage judges and performed in traditional dressage courts. In addition, the WDAA now offers the Western Dressage Train the Trainers™ clinic program and is currently developing the Cornerstone Judges education program for dressage judges. We will continue to further educate exhibitors in collaboration with our corporate partner, Horseshow.com
The new 2013 Western Dressage Tests are designed with progressive elements to showcase the developing skills of horse and rider. What a great way to learn while having fun!
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2013 WDAA WESTERN DRESSAGE RULES – Download & Print
Until WDAA Western Dressage Gaited Rules & Tests are completed… All Gaited Breeds should follow FOSH Dressage Rules & Tests – Download & Print (Visit their website – FOSH)
WDAA Western Dressage Tests for 2013
**IMPORTANT: The Western Dressage Association® of America (WDAA) has discovered minor errors in preparing the WDAA Western Dressage Tests for 2013 for online use and print publication. The precision and perfection of the Tests is of the utmost importance to us in relationship to our mission and the value we place on education. We have corrected these errors and have posted the edited tests online as well as are immediately rectifying them with our partners; the USEF, Dressage Illustrated and the Western Style Dressage Association of Canada for their publications. We appreciate the understanding of our members, partners and the equine community as we perfect this offering on our Journey.
Re-published on April 23, 2013 due to formatting issues. Please re-print if you printed any tests before this date.
SCORING
- 10-Excellent
- 9-Very good
- 8-Good
- 7-Fairly good
- 6-Satisfactory
- 5-Marginal
- 4-Insufficient
- 3-Fairly bad
- 2-Bad
- 1-Very bad
- 0-Not performed
Western Dressage is trained and shown in specific levels which build on each other and which reflect the development of the skills and abilities of both the horse and rider. The tests ridden in shows are used as a measure of the correctness of the horse’s (and rider’s) schooling. The collective marks are based on:
- Gaits: the freedom and regularity of the horse’s movement
- Impulsion: the horse’s desire to move forward, elasticity of steps, roundness
- Submission: the horse’s attention and confidence, harmony with rider, lightness of movements, and acceptance of the bit
- Rider’s position and seat: correctness and effect of the aids
WESTERN DRESSAGE ARENAS
The small dressage arena measure 20×40 meters.
The large dressage arena measure 20×60 meters.
