Roles of the USDF and the USEF

[AZ_TD]

@pluvinel

That’s because USDF turned up their noses at Western Dressage…much to the eventual benefit of the WD people

Whatever, Western Dressage has their own rules, equipment, definitions, judges. It is a great opportunity/change for western riders. It just does not mix with Dressage.

[pluvinel]

@AZ TD

Whatever, Western Dressage has their own rules, equipment, definitions, judges. It is a great opportunity/change for western riders. It just does not mix with Dressage.

“Whatever”…???

Well, Harummmphhh… I guess I have been summarily dismissed. So there.

WD formed its own rules, equipment, definitions, etc because the USDF told them to go away.

The WD folks wanted to play within the USDF tent and the USDF closed the door in their faces.

…It just does not mix with Dressage…

What???

So then that statement begs the question of what is your definition of “Dressage?”

Is it training…as defined by the USDF web site/or USEF rulebook?

Or is it some ritualistic presentation of overly large horses, of predominantly northern European breeding, presented in a ritualistic display inside a 20-60m court, ridden by people attired in the anachronistic haberdashery redolent of men’s formal dress from the early 1900’s?

I see no criteria as stated in the rulebook’s definition of the “Objective & General Principles” of dressage that would require horses demonstrate some attribute that a horse presented to judges in western tack could not satisfy.

DR101 Object and General Principles.

1. The object of Dressage is the harmonious development of the physique and ability of the horse. As a result it makes the horse calm, supple, loose and flexible but also confident, attentive and keen thus achieving perfect understanding with his rider.Ӭ

2. These qualities are revealed by:

• The freedom and regularity of the gaits; ”¨
• The harmony, lightness and ease of the movements; ”¨
• The lightness of the forehand and the engagement of the hindquarters, originating in ”¨a lively impulsion;”¨
• The acceptance of the bridle with submissiveness throughout and without any tenseness or resistance.

3. The horse thus gives the impression of doing of his own accord what is required of him. Confident and attentive he submits generously to the control of his rider remaining absolutely straight in any movement on a straight line and bending accordingly when moving on curved lines.

4. His walk is regular, free and unconstrained. His trot is free, supple, regular, sustained and active. His canter is united, light and cadenced. His quarters are never inactive or sluggish. They respond to the slightest indication of the rider and thereby give life and spirit to all the rest of his body.

5. By virtue of a lively impulsion and the suppleness of his joints, free from the paralyzing effects of resistance the horse obeys willingly and without hesitation and responds to the various aids calmly and with precision, displaying a natural and harmonious balance both physically and mentally.

6. In all his work even at the halt the horse must be on the bit. A horse is said to be on the bit when the neck is more or less raised and arched according to the stage of training and the extension or collection of the gait and he accepts the bridle with a light and soft contact and submissiveness throughout. The head should remain in a steady position as a rule slightly in front of the vertical with a supple poll as the highest point of the neck and no resistance should be offered to the rider.

7. Cadence is shown in trot and canter and is the result of the proper harmony that a horse shows when it moves with well marked regularity, impulsion and balance. Cadence must be maintained in all the different trot and canter exercises and all the variations of trot and canter.

8. The rhythm that a horse maintains in all his gaits and paces is fundamental to Dressage.

I would offer that the rider in “Western Attire” rides his horse in a manner better reflecting the directives of Ariticle 401/DR101

[video=youtube_share;rqyV9kGQpEc]https://youtu.be/rqyV9kGQpEc[/video]

[AZ_TD]

Here is a link to Western Dressage rules: https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/NpmA…stern-dressage

I think it is great that they have their own definitions for the gaits that are more familiar to western riders, the equipment allowed also incorporates western tack (including bitless bridles).

[lorilu]

@AZ TD

Whatever, Western Dressage has their own rules, equipment, definitions, judges. It is a great opportunity/change for western riders. It just does not mix with Dressage.

Well, it mixes quite well in our GMO. Many riders compete the same horse in both divisions of out schooling shows. The WD riders attend our traditional dressage clinics. The same principles apply. It IS Dressage…

And, the “western pleasure” riders who tried it out when we first included it soon found out that WP is NOT western dressage…

[AZ_TD]

@lorilu

Well, it mixes quite well in our GMO. Many riders compete the same horse in both divisions of out schooling shows. The WD riders attend our traditional dressage clinics. The same principles apply. It IS Dressage…

And, the “western pleasure” riders who tried it out when we first included it soon found out that WP is NOT western dressage…

I did not say that they don’t use the same principles. However, their tack and equipment rules are different. That is why at a regular dressage show you cannot have western dressage classes. It is different at breed shows in which one can show both. Our GMO schooling shows offer both, but there are no equipment checks.

[lorilu]

@AZ TD

I did not say that they don’t use the same principles. However, their tack and equipment rules are different. That is why at a regular dressage show you cannot have western dressage classes. It is different at breed shows in which one can show both. Our GMO schooling shows offer both, but there are no equipment checks.

then I am sorry I misunderstood your use of the word “mixes”… I took it to mean more about the principles, not about actual “mixing” at shows! SOrry again.