We Ride Sport and Trail Magazine May 2019 | Page 39

NORTH AMERICAN WESTERN DRESSAGE

liberty, and a few of us participate in formal showmanship classes. But many of us don’t have any goals beyond that, so we easily become bored.

North American Western Dressage has taken groundwork to a new level. They have developed a progressive system of “tests” that include tasks that many of us are already doing – leading, halting, backing, walking in a circle, turn on the forehand, turn on the haunches, and more. Each test is judged according to the willingness, harmony, and balance that your horse shows. As a “handler”, you can also earn points how well you apply your aids.

You will not need any special equipment, a simple halter and lead rope at least 10” long will work fine.

All breeds of equines are welcome – including miniatures and donkeys! All ages of horse and human are also welcome! We’ve had participants from foals to pasture retirees and from children to senior citizens.

Perhaps the best part of NAWD’s Six Feet on the Ground program is the opportunity to show from home. With NAWD’s virtual shows you can video a test, upload it to you-tube, and receive a detailed scoresheet with the chance to win ribbons and year end awards.

NAWD offers virtual shows each month from March-October, learn more and sign up at www.nawdhorse.org.

2019 VIRTUAL SHOW SCHEDULE

MAY 17-26 Spring Fever Dressage: fundraiser for MS

JUNE 14-23 Summertime Ranch & Trail Show

JULY 12-21 Midsummer Celebration Dressage Show

AUG 16-25 Fall Festival Ranch & Trail

SEPT 13-22 Harvest Classic Dressage & All-Around Freestyle

OCT 1-31 Happy Halloween! Costumes welcome in all classes.

OCT 1-31 “Gaits Wide Open” dressage show for gaited breeds.

MAY 17-26 Spring Fever Dressage: MS Benefit

JUNE 14-23 Summertime Ranch & Trail Show

JULY 12-21 Midsummer Celebration

AUG 16-25 Fall Festival Ranch & Trail

SEPT 13-22 Harvest Classic Dressage / Freestyle

OCT 1-31 Halloween / Costumes all classes

OCT 1-31 Dressage Show for Gaited Breeds

2019 VIRTUAL SHOW SCHEDULE

Franke Photo Design

Does Your Groundwork

Have Goals?

The benefits of groundwork are

becoming more and more apparent as

horse owners—professionals and

amateurs alike—discover that

developing this partnership on the

ground helps their horse become

safer and more attentive. Many of us

have developed a “quick-check”

routine that we run through before we

mount which allows us to quickly

evaluate our horse’s temperament

that day.

Some of us enjoy natural

horsemanship techniques and

“playing” with our horses on-line or at