22/ SEPTEMBER 2011 THE RIDER WESTERN DRESSAGE: EAST MEETS WEST By Alma Mellor


For veteran Dressage trainer Elaine Ward of St.George Ontario (just north of Brantford), the new discipline of Western Dressage is nothing new. At an early age, Elaine learned to ride in a Western saddle, then moved on to become a top notch competitor, trainer and clinician in the dres- sage world for 35 years._Elaine has taught Wessage, known more recently as Western Dres- sage for the past 30 years. The 48 year old trainer says “West- ern riders knew the value of bringing in a dressage trainer back then to improve the perfor- mance areas such as Cutting, Pleasure, Reining and improv- ing their young stock. “Dres- sage is the fancy word for train- ing. If you look on the french side of a box of Milk-bones, there is the word…Dressage!”_ So why all the hype about Western Dressage now, and not 30 years ago? Well, according to Elaine, dressage and western have been worlds apart. A few riders knew back then it was a benefit. To everyone else Elaine feels it was as opposite as chalk and cheese. Western Dressage enthusiasts can thank Eitan and Deb Beth-Halachmy of Califor- nia. Eitan introduced “Cowboy Dressage” to the world with demonstrations on his Morgan stallion, Santa Fe Renegade at the 2006 and 2010 World Equestrian games.


Together with Jack


Brainard of Texas, they formed the Western Dressage Associa- tion of America, in 2009. Since then, many state based Western Dressage groups have formed in the United States. The Western Dressage Association of Canada has just been established here in 2011.


“Canada is always a bit behind the U.S. trends, but from the enthusiasm and positive comments received from my existing clients, and the feed- back from Western Dressage demonstrations recently held in Southern Ontario, this is going to really take off.” Elaine feels that there is definitely a need for Western Dressage as a disci- pline, and a primer to better the Western horse. “Western Dres- sage is all about learning about yourself and your horse. Dres- sage is all about how to control


the horse through attention and relaxation, then, realizing how your own body parts affect the horses’ way of going. There is a way to sit, a way to turn a horse. How to understand how you sit affects how the horse will perform movements. Good balance with the rider will make a well-balanced horse. People are too quick to blame the horse for problems. I look at the rider”.


When asked about West- ern Dressage Shows, Elaine says that the United States Equestrian Federation now rec- ognize the tests, unlike Equine Canada. Competing riders are judged by Dressage judges rather than Western judges. The lower level tests are similar to the lower level Dressage tests, except for the language; Medium Walk, Working Jog


and Working Lope are the main- stays for the basic levels with the circles and round figures seen in the regular Dressage tests. The higher level tests are still to be presented and approved by the USEF. Local Dressage schooling shows have been quite receptive to the Western Dressage classes. The terminology and tradition of rid- ing is Western. Add the training techniques of classical dressage and you have Western Dres- sage._Elaine went on to say “I really feel that the demograph- ics of the Western Dressage enthusiast are going to follow the same path as the regular dressage person. The age of the riders is basically the same”. Says Elaine with a smile “ We all get to that age where we real- ize we don’t bounce like we used to”. She adds to this state- ment “The participants in this new discipline will be someone who wants to understand their horse, their position, and how to better themselves without the use of force”.


Western dressage is open to all breeds, and though com- peting in a Western Dressage show may not be for everyone, the tests give riders incentive to continue their quest for higher learning and progression. The Western horse is considered “well broke” if it can walk, jog and lope but western dressage can add much more to that. The majority of riders ride for the pleasure and enjoyment of it, and what a great way to learn


more about how to ride your horse properly and understand what you are doing. Summariz- ing, Elaine explains “Classical dressage is like learning to play music. If you can understand the theory you can easily play the notes. The horse is like the brass section in a band. If you know how to read notes, the variation from instrument to instrument is minute”.


and make the horse think they are doing it themselves, and make it enjoyable and fun at the same time.” What’s not to like about Western Dressage? Elaine Ward is looking for riders, interested clubs or shows to host her demonstrations and clinics. Elaine will be appearing at 5 Star Ranch in Campbellville on Sun. Sept 18th for their Tack Sale and Demo. More informa-


From that observation, Elaine adds that riding in a Western saddle is no different than riding in an English saddle. “The variations are slightly dif- ferent, but we are both playing in the same Key. We aim for attention, rhythm, suppleness, softness and willingness. We all aim to understand our horse,


tion will be on Elaine’s website at www.kirkridgefarm.com or visit www.westerndressage.ca. You can reach her at elaine.ward@rogers.com.


Photos with article and on ad are by Les Norris


Beeton Fundraiser For Heaven Can Wait Equine Rescue By Kelly Bowers


SPECIAL FALL AUCTION


Saturday Sept. 24th, 11 a.m. Claremont Horse Auction, Claremont On.


Registered & grade horses & ponies of all breeds. Everything must ride.


Sorry no colts, yearlings etc. Consign now!


Sale limited to 75 head. Horses sold in order of consignment. Also accepting used saddles, trailers & horse drawn vehicles. $50 catalog fee on horses & 7% commission Buying? Plan to attend, always something in every price range.


Consign Now - Bill Simmons - Auctioneer www.claremonthorseauction.ca


The day will start at 9 am and will include an equine themed scavenger hunt and a lovely nature walk. Plans include a HCW tack sale with hundreds of new and used tack items available. Organizers are excited to have Tim Fortune coming out to do his fascinating demo and Elizabeth Lam- oureaux who will perform her Equine Massage.


905-640-7086


Lucky attendees will be up to their armpits in the Miniature Horse Petting Area and can even climb aboard for pony rides as well. A picnic area with


The good people of Beeton are preparing to host a full day of fun for kids of all ages on October 1st. Details are still being finalized for the Heaven Can Wait Equine Rescue fundraiser to be held at 6823 - 7th Line, Beeton, ON (West of Tottenham Rd).


food vendors offering baked goods and drinks, as well as BBQ such as burgers, hotdogs, sausages, veggie burgers etc will be available on site for lunch time.


The day will be topped off by a visit by New Tecumseth Mayor, Mike MacEachern and will wind down at 5pm, but not before having the draws for raf- fle prizes.


invited to get involved. Vendor space (for non-tack related items) is still available and there is a need for donations, volunteers, and for more raffle prizes to be donated.


Wait Equine Rescue is located in Cameron, ON and was started by Claire Malcolm in 1997.


Heaven Can Supporters are


Their mandate is to save horses and ponies from auction and possible slaughter but they depend on supporters to help pay for the feed, vet, farrier and other costs incurred providing everything the rescued animals require. In the past 14 years, the rescue has successfully found new loving homes for over 850 equines and has even placed a few donkeys, pigs, goats, cats & dogs along the way. For more info, check out http://bee- tonequinefundraiser.weebly.co m/index.html,


http:/www.heavencanwaite- quinerescue.org/


Left: HCW Volunteers (Left to right) Emily Williamson, Shaylee Thompson, Sarah Duffy sudsing up HCW pony.


Below: Long time BFFs and HCW volunteers (Left to right) Avery Rit- ter, Ashley Malcolm, Jamie Lynn Jones on horseback.


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