Wanting to try Western Dressage with your gaited horse? Wanting to show your gaited horse in Western Dressage? WDAA is the right place for you and your equine and ALL of the WDAA tests can be ridden by gaited horses and mules. All WDAA/USEF Western Dressage judges are specially trained and educated to judge your gaited equine. It is simple; you ride the saddle gait in place of the jog in all tests. Some shows have gaited classes or you can enter into the open classes. It is that simple.

At the 2025 WDAA World Show we had a variety of gaited horses competing and showing, such as the TWH, Fox Trotter, Icelandic, Morgan, Mule and Spotted Saddle horse. All gaited horses and mules are welcomed. The WDAA is a fantastic group of very friendly people and they warmly welcome you and are like minded horse people. Western Dressage is a journey and you and your horse can progress up the training wheel at your own pace. The tests are designed to assess your progress and provide feedback for you. It can be a lot of fun to ride the tests and the shows are live or on-line.

I began my western dressage journey quite by accident. A woman who was boarding at my barn wanted to take dressage lessons, so I put her in touch with Aileen Smith, our local dressage coach. I didn't know her - only by reputation. I watched one lesson (traditional dressage, in my barn) and decided to tag onto the next lesson. Aileen was a bit skeptical as my mare is built more like a plow horse than a dressage horse (APHA western pleasure breeding), but we took lessons almost every week. I stated my goal of wanting to compete at the 2025 Pinto World Show in Basic Tests 1 & 3. Mind you, I'd never ridden the centerline in my life! We kept working each week, and in between I did my homework with Echo. She's only 5, so we're still working on a lot of body control to be able to show in western pleasure. We were all set to try our hands at a show and entered the Aberdeen Farm show in May, but a family tragedy kept me from attending. The only other opportunity I had to ride a test was at a local 4H show in a "small" arena - not ideal conditions, but I really needed to get in the pen before I headed to Tulsa to make a fool of myself. The first test (Basic 1) was a disaster! I really had no depth perception as they only had cones for markers, no sidelines. It was a great learning experience, though, and we went right back for Test 3, which was dramatically improved! My mare tried so hard to do what I wanted, and Aileen was very pleased with our performance. A week later it was off to Tulsa and the Pinto World Show! Echo was an absolute rock star! Aileen had to watch the live feed in Michigan, and when Basic 1 was over, Echo was named the Reserve World Champion! The horse that beat me is 13 and ONLY shows in WD, and she beat us by less than one point! Aileen was so excited, and so proud of how we did, especially without having a trainer to coach us in Tulsa. I still had another week of showing both of my horses there and left to come home on Sunday, June 22. I couldn't wait to show Aileen our buckle and ribbon! However, it wasn't to be. Aileen passed away on June 22. I'm so glad she knew of our success and had sent her pictures. I'm going to miss her coaching and support, but I know she's still watching us practice. Godspeed, Aileen!

The Dressage Foundation (TDF) is pleased to announce the 2025 recipients of a grant from its Judges’ Licensing Fund. Thanks to the continued support of the Shannon Foundation, donations in memory of Carter Bass, and gifts from donors who wish to support the education of U.S. dressage judges, TDF’s Judges Licensing Fund is awarding $2,000 grants to Margaret Boyce, Michell Combs, Kendra Hansis, and Erin Hurley.

Margaret Boyce (NY) will use her grant funding to apprentice for her Western dressage "R" status and to apprentice for her Level One FEI Para license. 

August 16–17, 2025, will be remembered as a turning point for Western Dressage in the Carolinas. With growing calls for more USEF Lite and USEF Western Dressage shows, Sandhills delivered—bringing opportunity, mentorship, and momentum to our region at the timeless Pinehurst Harness Track. 

I had the privilege of organizing an apprenticeship for upcoming “r” and “R” Western Dressage judges, including myself, Heather, as an “R” candidate. Thanks to the incredible collaboration with show managers of Sporting Services—Cassidy Oeltjen and Patti Hildreth— ran a smooth, friendly, and timely show despite the sweltering NC summer. 

Kristen Whittaker Clinic in Pattison, TX

My name is Aubrey Welch, and I ride at MacDonald Dressage in Pattison, TX. I have been riding my horse, Penny, for a little over a year. Recently, Penny and I attended the Kristen Whittaker Clinic in Pattison, TX. We had an amazing time during the 3-day clinic! Our goals going into the clinic were to get a better stretch in the free jog and working walk and also to improve our harmony. At the clinic, we worked on turn on the haunches to stop Penny from trying to leave the area. We also worked on lateral movements to improve bending and balance.

The clinic was a great opportunity for Penny and me to practice loading and unloading from our trailer, being around other horses and riders, and building our partnership. Thank you so much to the WDAA for the opportunity to attend this clinic! Penny and I are feeling much more confident for our next show, and we cannot wait for the WDAA World Championship Show in September!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Calling all Western Dressage Enthusiasts!

At the Western Dressage Association of America (WDAA), we are incredibly proud to celebrate the remarkable individuals who have not only dedicated their lives to serving our country but have also found a passion for Western Dressage. Their stories are a testament to courage, discipline, and the profound bond between horse and rider.

Join us as we shine a spotlight on some of our veteran members, their distinguished military careers, and their inspiring journeys in the Western Dressage arena with their cherished equine partners.

The Pacific Northwest Western Dressage Association (PNWWDA) was first envisioned by Stacy Sutton and Ann Marie Avansino who had been very involved in Western Dressage since its inception. They spent several years developing and running many educational events, symposiums, and exhibitions in Northern California. With this passion for Western Dressage, they both saw the need in the Northwest to further expand Western Dressage education and competition.

The PNWWDA was created to align with and promote the principles of the WDAA and independently organize quality educational programs, awards programs, and network and collaborate with like-minded Western Dressage enthusiasts and professionals throughout the Pacific Northwest.

US Pony Club Convention

Saturday January 25th Suzanne Morisse with the help of Mary Linton presented an Introduction to Western Dressage talk prepared by Ida Norris.

"We had people from several states including Texas, Montana, Connecticut, and Michigan. They had some great questions and were eager to share what is happening in Western Dressage in their area. The posters and handouts from WDAA were wonderful and the participants seemed excited to have something to take with them. Suzanne gave out some door prizes to youth who answered questions about their horses and Western Dressage."

Dear WDA-AUS Members,
The quarterly member newsletter "The Western Dressage Collective" has been published.

This publication includes up-to-date news and information from the National Management Committee.  It's important that you read the newsletter to stay abreast of rules and what's happening.

It also includes a feature article each publication on the achievements of a particular horse.  This quarter it is the AQHA gelding EEC ITS ALL GOOD from Western Australia.  There are also beautiful photos and coverage from shows and events that your affiliate association committees have contributed.

Please click on the image above or here to open up Edition 24 of the WDA-AUS Newsletter.

Horse Protection Act (HPA) Update

Washington,D.C. – Julie Broadway, President of the American Horse Council, released the following statement on the pending implementation of the revised Horse Protection Act (HPA) regulation:

“The American Horse Council (AHC) has formally requested that the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) delay the implementation of the revised Horse Protection Act regulation for 60 days. The AHC finds the agency is not ready to implement and/or enforce the revised regulation in a fair and consistent manner. The regulation is currently scheduled for implementation on February 1, 2025.”

December 2024 WDAA Scholarship winner - Harper Cadotte of Dunkrik MD

Hello! My name is Harper Cadotte, I am a western dressage youth competitor. I earned the second WDAA Youth Educational Scholarship. While my show season has not yet started, I look forward to using this scholarship to further my education and horsemanship. I hope to use the scholarship to attend a clinic hosted by Lynn Newton in late August. This will be my second year of showing western dressage on my lease of three years Tommy. Tommy is a registered American Paint Horse and at sixteen is still the goofiest boy. We have continued to learn together and are progressing through the levels together. He will now be showing level One in addition to Basic this show season. Additionally, I have been riding a half Arabian half quarter horse mare named Cece and developing her education under saddle, she is currently three and will be making her entrance into western dressage at Intro level this show season alongside Tommy. This scholarship will help me further my education with both of these special horses and better educate me in western dressage.