Western dressage show today!

[Draftmare]

Just wanted to share our big success showing western dressage today! We ended up with a 69% for Intro test 2, 67% for Intro test 3, and 67% for Intro test 4. Very happy with my girl. We started western dressage a little over a year ago when I was working through some confidence issues about cantering in an english saddle, and I think she and I finally found our niche. Since switching she has become a much more willing partner, and feel like we finally have a really good harmony going.

Intro test 2: https://youtu.be/UCwTK3iR3WI
Intro test 3:https://youtu.be/DF6rQ25wGKA
Intro test 4: https://youtu.be/u4JSJaC0irg

And my new favorite pictures!

[NoSuchPerson]

Congratulations!

[Bluey]

Good for you!

Guess you found a saddle you like.

[cloudy18]

Congratulations! Glad the bit worked too.

[Draftmare]

[QUOTE=NoSuchPerson;8828888]
Congratulations![/QUOTE]

Thanks!

[QUOTE=Bluey;8828958]Good for you!

Guess you found a saddle you like.[/QUOTE]

That’s my training saddle that I have had since earlier this year. I like it just fine, would just like something with a finished skirt better.

@cloudy18;8829008

Congratulations! Glad the bit worked too.

I am super glad that it worked too as I didn’t have time to test it out before the show! I just ordered her a dee with the same mouth piece as my boucher, hopefully she likes it while I search out a used Myler. Spending $90 on just a bit makes me cringe.

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=Draftmare;8829174]
Thanks!

That’s my training saddle that I have had since earlier this year. I like it just fine, would just like something with a finished skirt better.

I am super glad that it worked too as I didn’t have time to test it out before the show! I just ordered her a dee with the same mouth piece as my boucher, hopefully she likes it while I search out a used Myler. Spending $90 on just a bit makes me cringe.[/QUOTE]

She seemed to like the bit fine, maybe that one will work for you after all.

[Palm_Beach]

Congrats! You gals look great!

[Pocket_Pony]

You guys look awesome! Very accurate tests, your position looks lovely, your horse looks happy and willing. And your color combinations match nicely, too! Love the saddle pad!

[Draftmare]

[QUOTE=Pocket Pony;8829411]
You guys look awesome! Very accurate tests, your position looks lovely, your horse looks happy and willing. And your color combinations match nicely, too! Love the saddle pad! :)[/QUOTE]

Thanks, I really love teal on her! We got a couple of comments about needing more tempo and more energy, which I am not so sure about. I think we had a pretty good pace going.

[Pocket_Pony]

[QUOTE=Draftmare;8830527]
Thanks, I really love teal on her! We got a couple of comments about needing more tempo and more energy, which I am not so sure about. I think we had a pretty good pace going.[/QUOTE]

I think that would be a confusing part about WD. In regular dressage you can pretty much count on getting “more forward” as a comment (at least for me). But isn’t part of the reason WD became a thing is that it gives a chance for the more western breeds to have their pace and be rewarded according to what is natural for them? Don’t they call it a jog in WD to keep with the Western part of it? (Not a peanut-roller, just a slower more natural gait)

[cayuse]

Thank you for sharing. You look great together. Do you have any other shows this Fall?

[Draftmare]

[QUOTE=Pocket Pony;8830663]
I think that would be a confusing part about WD. In regular dressage you can pretty much count on getting “more forward” as a comment (at least for me). But isn’t part of the reason WD became a thing is that it gives a chance for the more western breeds to have their pace and be rewarded according to what is natural for them? Don’t they call it a jog in WD to keep with the Western part of it? (Not a peanut-roller, just a slower more natural gait)[/QUOTE]

Yep, that is what my thought was too. Part of the reason we switched is because it just takes so much energy from me to get the forward english gaits out of her. WD allows her to go along at her more natural pace which has lead to a much more relaxed horse. I am not sure if the judges need a better understanding of the sport, or if the WDAA needs to lay out better rules, or what… But, at least at this show, the warmbloods that were crossing over scored a bit better than the more stock type horses that were showing.

@cayuse;8830880

Thank you for sharing. You look great together. Do you have any other shows this Fall?

Thanks! Hopefully two more shows this month and then the series is over for the year.

[ezduzit]

Very nice. Congratulations!

[Draftmare]

[QUOTE=ezduzit;8837614]
Very nice. Congratulations![/QUOTE]

Thanks!