Recently, Tailwind Trails hosted a spectacular, two-day Western Dressage Clinic with Clinician and Judge Patti Thompson.  Patti brings a lifetime of Horsemanship to her coaching.  Her credentials include WDAA/USEF "R" Judge, USDF "L" Graduate with Distinction USDF Bronze Medalist, and USDF University Gold, Silver & Bronze Graduate with Distinction. 

The clinic sold out quickly, as Western Dressage is relatively new in our area and riders and auditors were eager to learn more.  In the true spirit of Western Dressage, we had a wide variety of breeds represented in the clinic.  Sprinkled among the Quarter Horses were an American Warmblood, a BLM mustang, an Andalusian, a Thoroughbred and even a Friesian!  The riders' abilities and experiences varied, most had never ridden Western Dressage.  In working with each pair, Patti expertly applied the training fundamentals found in the WDAA Training Wheel.

From Krystal: Hoof Prints and Tire Tracks was written because, growing up, I did not have anyone like me (disabled) to look up to. I was often told what I could not do, what I should not try, or what I would never be able to accomplish. Through faith, perseverance, and a refusal to accept those limits, I learned that God’s plans are not defined by human expectations. I wanted to write the book I once needed, one that shows others, disabled or not, that with faith, determination, and hope, possibilities are far greater than we are often told.

I was born with Arthrogryposis, a condition that affected my mobility from the very beginning. My childhood was filled with surgeries, long recoveries, and learning how to navigate a world that was not built with bodies like mine in mind. Along the way, I wrestled with hard questions about purpose, belonging, and what healing really means.

Lexington, Ky. - US Equestrian would like to remind eligible competitions of updates made to the USEF Lite Grants, which provide funding to USEF Lite licensed competitions. Lite licensing is designed to give competition organizers and athletes a lower cost, more relaxed competition environment which still has the benefits of US Equestrian’s rulebook and oversight. 

USEF Lite Grants provide further savings by offering financial assistance to competitions to hire necessary staffing, with up to $300 available for one- and two-day competitions and up to $500 for shows that are three days or longer. The grant may be used toward the hiring of required Qualified Medical Personnel or hiring a USEF Applicant Steward or Technical Delegate to officiate the competition.  

Lexington, KY: Angela Michaelson of Minnesota has been chosen to receive the 2026 Ellen DiBella Western Dressage Scholarship from The Morgan Horse Foundation, Inc. (MHF). 

Angela was in the saddle at three months of age. Her love for Morgans began after seeing some at local open and 4H shows at the age of 10 – she had to have one! Angela said, “Purchasing my first Morgan started a passion that hasn’t wavered for 44 years.” She enjoyed showing Morgans with her son and daughter for many years. When her daughter left for college, ChandlerCreek TakebyStorm GCH (aka Rain) entered Angela’s life. An unstarted 3-year-old, Rain became Angela’s project and their partnership quickly blossomed. In May 2019, they attended their first Morgan Show, continued working hard, and soon thereafter captured the championship at the Grand National in Western Dressage Suitability. For Angela and Rain, “Western Dressage checked all the boxes.” It improves overall carriage and balance. Showing in Western trail and ranch trail, too, the three disciplines complement each other. 

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 28, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today announced that it will postpone the effective date for the Horse Protection Amendments final rule. Previously scheduled to take effect on February 1, 2026, several provisions of the rule have been vacated by the courts, and the non-vacated provisions will now become effective on December 31, 2026. This postponement follows ongoing legal developments and legislative directives aimed at providing regulatory clarity for the horse industry and federal inspectors.

The final rule, originally published in May 2024, was designed to strengthen the Horse Protection Act (HPA) by replacing the industry-led inspection model with USDA-authorized Horse Protection Inspectors (HPIs) and implementing stricter prohibitions on soring—the cruel practice of using chemicals or mechanical devices to induce an exaggerated gait in horses.

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!

Calling all Western Dressage Enthusiasts!