Yes, it’s true! Dressage is more than trot. You can train dressage and even show dressage with your gaited horse and never trot! I have and you can, too!I’ll show you how…
Showing Dressage with a Gaited Horse
By Jennnifer Klitzke
In 2010, I learned of a schooling dressage show near me. This was out of the ordinary for a couple reasons. First of all, I had moved North into western trail riding country. I hadn’t heard a peep of nearby dressage opportunities for many years. Secondly, I had been out of the traditional dressage show circuit for 16 years when my Trakehner / Thoroughbred gelding retired. Back then I was conditioned to believe dressage was only for horses that trot, and my smooth gaited Tennessee Walking Horse didn’t trot.
Intrigued in learning about a nearby dressage schooling show, I desired feedback from a professional judge about our training. I contacted the show organizer and asked if I could enter my gaited horse replacing trot with flat walk. Her “yes” began our showing gaited dressage journey.
I expected to be laughed off the planet showing gaited dressage at traditional dressage schooling show.
Surprisingly, my Tennessee Walking Horse’s natural smooth gaits inspired great conversations with curious on lookers—people familiar with how jarring the sitting trot can be. People witnessed SMOOTH at a dressage show, and they noticed how much FUN I was having with my gaited horse—at a show.
Our presence at traditional dressage shows also inspired conversations with people who own trotting horses for dressage AND smooth gaited horses for trail riding. My surprise to learn these folks kept their horse worlds separate was met with their surprise to learn I had combined them.
Seeing a Tennessee Walking Horse showing gaited dressage blew many paradigms:
- Dressage is more than trot: Gaited horses can show dressage and not trot. Whether the horse trots or gaits, the elements of dressage training can be evaluated by a professional judge: relaxation, rhythm, forward movement without rushing, connection, symmetry, balance and collection, as well as the rider’s balanced position and effective use and timing of rein, leg, seat and weight aids.
- Dressage benefits all horses: Dressage improves the full range of motion and quality gaits whether the horse trots, tolts, flat walks or fox trots.
- Dressage is more than riding in an arena and showing: Dressage is a communication language between rider and horse through the reins, legs, seat and weight that can be taken to the arena, the show, trail and beyond.
Since 2010, Makana and I have shown over 60 gaited dressage tests at traditional schooling dressage shows. So far, we have been the only gaited dressage entry. I hope to see more.
Since sharing my gaited dressage journey, it is encouraging to see more opportunities to Show Gaited Dressage—both english and western dressage everywhere, even virtually.
It’s true! Dressage is more than trot and the saddle you ride in!
Do you want to show dressage with a gaited horse?
Below are tips on showing gaited dressage, where to show gaited dressage, and stories as I’ve explored gaited dressage with my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse, Gift of Freedom, a.k.a. Makana.
Yes, it’s true. Dressage is more than trot!
Where to Show Dressage with a Gaited Horse
Schooling dressage shows are a terrific way to get feedback from a dressage professional as to where you and your horse are at in your training. You’ll get scored on balance, rhythm, connection, engagement, relaxation, accuracy of the required movements, gait quality, your balanced riding position, and your use and timing of leg, seat, and rein aids. The score sheets provide terrific feedback from a trained dressage professional to confirm what is going well, what needs to improve, and when you and your horse are ready to move up a level. more»
Tips on Riding a Dressage Test with a Gaited Horse
Interested in riding a gaited dressage test but not sure what to expect? Here are a few tips to help riders who are interested in giving gaited dressage a try. more»
Opportunities to Show Dressage with a Gaited Horse
An exciting opportunity is available to naturally gaited riders through Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH) and the North American Western Dressage Association (NAWD). This friendly collaboration has made it possible for naturally gaited horse riders to compete virtually in our own back yards (English or Western) through the Gaits Wide Open program. more»
Showing Recognized Gaited Dressage from Home
Finally a way to ride gaited dressage at recognized shows, and I don’t even have to leave home!
North American Western Dressage Association (NAWD) offers several Virtual shows each year. This year they have included gaited dressage in their recognized Virtual shows. more»
How to Show Dressage with a Gaited Horse from Home
Love to give dressage a shot, but wouldn’t be caught dead riding in an English saddle? Long to show your gaited horse in dressage but there aren’t any shows in your area? Just want to get feedback from a professional as to where you are at in your dressage training with your gaited horse but have no interest in showing before a crowd? Have a desire to compete but can’t afford the cost of showing? Well, here’s super exciting news for you! more»
Stories
Dressage is More than Trot
Coming from over 20 years of dressage riding non-gaited horses, much of my focus had been on the quality of the trot. Before buying SeilTanzer, my German warmblood in 1989, I had looked at over 50 dressage prospects to find the best trot I could afford. Back then the trot seemed to define dressage, especially in the show ring.
Eighteen years later I bought my first gaited horse. Dressage was the only training method I knew, so out of default that’s how I trained my Tennessee walking horse from the age of three. I haven’t force a trot, rather I use relaxation, balance, and rhythm to establish her flat walk. This proves to be extremely helpful as my mare has more gears than my trotting horses ever did. Story»
Age-Defying Dressage on a Smooth Gaited Horse
H-X-F, extended trot along the diagonal. Oh, dread, my German warmblood Seiltanzer has never been smooth to sit, especially at the extended trot, and over the last twenty years both of us have aged. Each stride has become more dislodging, resulting in back pain, sagging breasts that seem to hit me in the face with each step, and sometimes “splash”—the loss of bladder control! What began as a beautiful dance between horse and rider has now become a losing fight with gravity. Story»
Gaited Dressage: Convergence of Two Worlds
There’s a convergence in gaited dressage: the traditional dressage rider who later applies what they know to riding gaited horses and the traditional gaited horse rider who later learns dressage methods of training.
The former describes me, and I can’t ride my gaited horse well without learning from the latter. Each paradigm offers unique perspectives about what is “correct.” I believe gaited dressage has an equation: “both” + “neither” = “correct.” Both perspectives add value to this equation. Neither perspective holds the fullness of “correct.” Yet one perspective without the other is only half the gaited dressage equation. Story»
Misconceptions of Gaited Dressage
When you watch a gaited horse performing a dressage test, do you expect to see the show gait movement of a rail class? Do you think that dressage permanently alters show gait movement? Could it be that riding show gait or gaited dressage as simple as flipping the switch of rider aids? Story»
Is Perfection the Goal of Dressage?
Is perfection the goal of dressage? Is perfection what dressage masters expected of all dressage riders who follow their teachings? Story»
Why Show Dressage with a Gaited Horse?
Is it all about blue ribbons and bragging rights? You’ll be glad to discover all you gain by showing gaited dressage.
I roll my eyes and gasp when I think back to my first days of showing my Trakhner/Thoroughbred gelding SeilTanzer (Seili). I had saved my money and bought the best trot I could afford. My motivations were to take Seili to the top levels of dressage. Why? Because I wanted to be noticed. I wanted to be recognized. I wanted to be accepted among my peers. I found out quickly that these were really bad reasons to show. Story»
Our Gaited Dressage Show Journey
(Beginning with the most recent shows)
Harvest Virtual Western Dressage Show»
Midsummer Virtual Western Dressage Show»
Western Gaited Dressage: Our First Virtual Show
I felt like I was dressed up for a Halloween costume party wearing this get up, but I thought I’d give Western gaited dressage a try again. This time without leaving home. I saw a Facebook post for a virtual Western dressage show that was open to gaited horses. So my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse Makana and I rode the FOSH IJA Training 1 Test which calls for regular walk, medium walk, free walk, intermediate gait (flat walk), and canter. more»
Gaited Dressage at Arbor Hill
While last week’s schooling dressage show at Wildfire was marked by my bustin’ boot wardrobe malfunction held together with silver duct tape, this week’s show at Arbor Hill nearly went to the dogs! more»
Gaited Dressage at Wild Fire
I took my naturally gaited Walking horse to our first 2015 schooling dressage show. Of 42 tests ridden, Intro through Third levels, only 2 were gaited. more»
Gaited Dressage [and jumping] at Northwoods
Northwoods offered their first annual schooling dressage [and hunter] show on May 30, 2015. I took my naturally gaited Walking horse Makana—the only gaited horse/rider entry among 29 trotting horse tests ridden, Intro through First Level. more»
Gaited Dressage at Carriage House
Inspired by seeing another gaited horse at the last Three Ring Circus schooling dressage show, I had to take my 11-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse mare, Gift of Freedom (Makana) to Three Ring Circus II held Sunday, August 8, 2015 at Carriage House Farm in Hugo, MN. more»
Gaited Dressage at Wildfire II
I was so excited to return to Wildfire with my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse mare Gift of Freedom (Makana). This time to ride for USDF “R” judge Nancy Porter. more»
Gaited Dressage at North Run
At the North Run show several spectators were given an introduction to dressage as it applies to the gaited horse. After every two test rides, the arena opened for ten minutes of schooling, so Makana’s expressive head shaking movement was quite the contrast as we warmed up with the trotting horses! Many onlookers had never seen a gaited horse ridden dressage style, barefoot and in a snaffle bit (without mechanical devices, big bits, and heavy shoes). Plus, the SMOOTH ride was evident in comparison to the bouncy sitting trot. more»
Gaited Dressage at St. George
After the TWH Celebration Show, my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse and I were back to being the solo gaited horse/rider entry at the St. George Dressage Academy schooling dressage show held Saturday, August 9, 2014. One of the spectators saw us gaiting and asked if I would be trotting my gaited horse during the test. Was I ever glad that I had contacted the show manager ahead of time and received permission to ride the NWHA gaited dressage tests, otherwise that’s what I’d be expected to do—trot! more»
TWH Celebration offers Gaited Dressage
When the Minnesota Walking Horse Association asked if I would be willing to help set up the dressage arena for the first ever gaited dressage classes offered at the 2014 Celebration Show, I gladly accepted. I’m all about supporting the cause for gaited dressage and advancing the use of natural and humane training methods. more»
Gaited Dressage at Lakeview
I took my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse Makana to Lakeview Farms on Saturday, June 21, 2014. The farm hosted an open schooling dressage show featuring traditional dressage, western dressage and gaited dressage. It isn’t surprising that we were the only gaited entry, but I was surprised to learn that our First Level Test One ride was the highest level test ridden of all competitors that day! Most exciting is that we were being judged by USDF “R” judge Nancy Porter. more»
Gaited Dressage at St. George
What could be more unusual than seeing a Mustang among Warmbloods at a dressage show? How about a barefoot horse that doesn’t trot!
Last month I took my Spanish Mustang to St. George’s Dressage Academy Schooling Show and was so impressed with the facility, the friendly people, and the show organization, that I asked if I could bring my Tennessee walking horse to the next show and ride the NWHA tests that mimic the USDF tests with gait in lieu of trot. After the show secretary talked with the judge, they both welcomed us into our own division. more»
Gaited Dressage at North Run Farm
Three weeks after the Jennie Jackson Clinic: Dressage as Applied to the Gaited Horse, I took my Tennessee walking horse mare, Gift of Freedom (Makana), to the North Run Farm schooling dressage show held on Sunday, July 28, 2013. I was curious if the judge would notice a difference since May as I have been working on the tools Jennie gave us to improve engagement into connection, balance, bending, and increasing the depth of stride. more»
Gaited Dressage at Rocking R Farm
Rocking R Farms in Foley, MN ordered perfect weather for their Spring Schooling Dressage and Jumping Show: sunshine, light breeze, not too hot or cold, and no bugs.
Rocking R Farm is one of the few facilities in my area which accommodates gaited dressage at their three schooling shows each year. I’ve been participating at Rocking R’s schooling shows since 2010, and so far have been the only gaited rider/horse team entered. I long for the day when more people give it a try. The feedback received from a trained eye is very helpful! more»
Gaited Dressage at North Run Farm
Our 2013 show and clinic season was off to a late start with wintry weather through April and treatment for Ehrlichiosis from a deer tick bite just days after the snow melted. Would we be ready for the May clinic and show schedule? more»
Gaited Dressage: 88 entries and only one gaited
Peak autumn color draped the landscape of the Rocking R Farm schooling dressage show held September 29, 2012 in Foley, MN. Eighty-eight horse/rider combinations were shown and only one of them gaited–me and my eight-year-old Tennessee walking horse mare Gift of Freedom. Her black winter coat was well on its way as a gorgeous Indian Summer day heated up to 80-degrees. more»
Western Gaited Dressage at Rocking R
My Walking horse and I rode our Western gaited dressage using the NWHA gaited dressage Training level, test one and First level, test one. As of yet, no gaited Western dressage tests are available. The rules also allow entrants to ride in a snaffle or curb. We opted to try out our Mylar level 2 curb. Makana received her highest scores yet! 70.83% in Training Level and 71.38% in First Level. more>
Western Gaited Dressage
Tennessee walking horse mare, Gift of Freedom and I took our a stab at Western Gaited Dressage for the first time in three years of showing gaited dressage at schooling shows. It also was the first dressage show we’ve attended in which we weren’t the only gaiting gaited dressage team! There was another gaited dressage horse and rider team that rode FOSH Intro tests. more»
Gaited Dressage at Rocking R
At the June Rocking R Farm Schooling Show, Gift of Freedom (Makana) and I took our first crack at riding through a stadium course over ground rails. What a large and fun course of 12-plus fences it was! We began well until we reached the fences along the bushes and Makana got stuck. It felt like we were stuck for HOURS! When we reached the finish line, my saintly husband said, “Hmm, I’m not sure Makana is suited for this type of showing.” Well, maybe not, but schooling over rails and fences at home has really improved her canter. more»
Gaited Dressage: From First Level to Intro?
In an unexpected turn of events, Gift of Freedom (Makana) found her way to the Three Ring Circus schooling show held at Carriage House Farm in Hugo, MN on May 28, 2012 and sponsored by St. Croix Saddlery. more»
Gaited Dressage at Rocking R Autumn Show
It was a perfect autumn day, 75-degrees and sunny, and made for a wonderful schooling show at Rocking R Farm in Foley, MN. Forty-nine horses were entered in dressage, cross-country, and stadium jumping. Many horse/rider teams rode all three disciplines. Next year I hope we’ll be one of them! more»
Gaited Dressage: Showing Solo
I’ve never had so much fun getting lost as I did yesterday at Sand Dunes State Forest (North) with my husband riding on a beautiful fall day. However, yesterday’s limited daylight ate up his golf time, so he opted out of the Walker’s Triple R show to play a couple rounds before cold and darkness envelop us. So I squeezed into my “big girl pants,” as my friend so often says, and loaded and trailered Makana to the show by myself, rode two tests without a reader, as the solo gaited dressage rider, and even managed to record video! more»
Gaited Dressage at the August Rocking R Show
Rocking R Farm, Foley, MN hosted their second of three well-attended 2011 schooling dressage shows on Saturday, August 6, 2011 open to gaited dressage. I rode Gift of Freedom, my seven-year-old Tennessee walking horse mare in First Level, Test One (63.1%) and First Level, Test Two (65.67%). We were the only gaited dressage team riding among 36 horse/rider combinations. more»
Gaited Dressage: July Walker’s Triple R
The record heat wave with 82% dew points and 105-degree heat indexes broke just in time for the Walker’s Triple R Schooling Dressage Show in Cambridge, MN. Mike and Judy Walker put on another relaxed and well-run schooling show for 22 rides ranging from Intro through 2nd Level. more»
Gaited Dressage: May Walker’s Triple R
A lovely spring day blessed 21 horse/rider teams at the Walker’s Triple R schooling dressage show held May 15, 2011. Gift of Freedom, the only gaited horse entered among Friesians, Warmbloods, Arabians, and Thoroughbreds placed second in both First Level tests with scores of 65.9% and 63.9%. more»
Rocking R Schooling Show Open to Gaited Dressage
Rocking R Farm, Foley, MN hosted their second of three well-attended 2011 schooling dressage shows on Saturday, August 6, 2011 open to gaited dressage. I rode Gift of Freedom, my seven-year-old Tennessee walking horse mare in First Level, Test One (63.1%) and First Level, Test Two (65.67%). We were the only gaited dressage team riding among 36 horse/rider combinations. more»
Our First Gaited Dressage Show
A beautiful fall day, lovely horses of various breeds, and warm and wonderful people of all ages graced this summer’s third well-organized schooling dressage show held at Walkers Triple R Farm in Cambridge, MN on September 19, 2010. This was Gift of Freedom’s (Makana) first dressage show, and we entered not expecting to place since we were riding with trotting horses. Makana is a Tennessee walking horse and I planned on riding her flat walk in lieu of the trot (sitting of course). more»
Do you show your naturally gaited horse in dressage? If so, I’d love to hear from you. Please reach out and share your story by sending me a message. Or stay connected by subscribing to the Naturally Gaited youtube channel and joining our community on facebook.com/naturallygaited.
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