All posts by Jennifer Klitzke

"Dressage is more than trot...and the saddle you ride in." -Jennifer KlitzkeSome traditional dressage riders believe that dressage is ONLY for horses that trot. While many gaited horse owners believe that dressage will MAKE their gaited horse trot. Others believe that teaching their gaited horse to trot on cue will ruin their horse's natural gait.I challenge these notions and here's why...Dressage improves the quality of natural movement in a horse whether it trots or has a smooth four-beat gait.Dressage is a French term for training the horse and rider. Whether a horse is ridden in an english or western saddle; whether the horse trots or gaits, it doesn't matter. Dressage brings about the best natural movement whether the horse walks, trots, flat walks, fox trots, or canters.Why? When a rider grows in knowledge, awareness, and application of a balanced riding position with the horse's center of gravity and applies effective use and timing of leg, rein, seat, and weight aids to communicate with the horse, dressage improves relaxation, balance, rhythm, connection, harmony, engagement, straightness, and collection. These elements improve the quality of movement and the full range of motion. For the naturally gaited horse, this means, smoother gaits, deeper strides, and a sounder horse for longer.Enjoy the journey!
Dressage for the Gaited Horse, Gaited Dressage Shows

Gaited Dressage at Rocking R

gaited dressage at Rocking R

By Jennifer Klitzke

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!

Gift of Freedom, my seven-year-old Tennessee walking horse mare and I placed first and second in our Gaited First Level, Tests 1 & 2 (the only team showing in the gaited division). Our scores were 65.52% and 61.62%. Not bad considering I had a senior moment and forgot where I was in the first test. Had I continued off course, I would have completed my final halt and salute facing the wrong way! As soon as I realized my blunder, I asked if I could resume where I wandered off course. I took a deduction, but the grace offered was well received.

During our second test, Makana ran out of gas. I think I shed five pounds during my calisthenic workout in efforts to squeeze her forward. Even though the show ran two hours behind  schedule, I was home before midnight (a little state fair humor).

The best news of all is that I spared my husband from watching another Viking’s loss.

Among Judge Jane Linville’s comments were “Great pair. Pleasant to watch. Continue to work for more uphill balance throughout. Horse has a sweet face and is trying very hard.” She concluded, “Lovely, harmonious test.”

Photos: Gaited Dressage at Rocking R>