Opportunities for Naturally Gaited Horses to Show Dressage

By Jennifer Klitzke

If you live in the Northern climates like I do and don’t have the luxury of an indoor arena, I am sure you are excited for Springtime! Thinking back a few years ago, my husband and I had planted our vegetable garden by now. Today we are still waiting for the snow to melt!

Last weekend we had another blizzard dumping 20 inches of snow!

Thankfully, this week’s warmer temperatures have been melting the snow at rapid speeds. By the end of next week, I hope my arena will be ridable again [for video-making season.]

Okay, [three paragraphs] of commiserating. Think yourself very fortunate if you live in temperate regions. (I am envious.)

This weekend my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse, Makana, and I had the wonderful opportunity to meet with a friend and her lovely naturally gaited mare. We had a wonderful time riding together in an indoor arena and talking about naturally smooth gaited training methods. For me and Makana, it was the first time we had ridden in months. I am so grateful!

Springtime got me thinking about the exciting opportunities available to us naturally gaited riders this riding season 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.

For me, this is exciting, because, I don’t have to travel. I can show from home. All I need to do is record my rides (to the video requirements) and email the links after submitting the show application. Then I wait for the judge’s test results and comments. Plus, virtual shows are affordable!

Of course, there are the dressage shows you can travel to that are open to gaited horse entries.

In either case, whether virtual or on site, showing dressage provides feedback from a professional about your test. You’ll get written comments from the judge about how you navigated the test requirements, your riding position and use and timing off aids.

Drop me a Line

Let me know your thoughts. I’d love to hear about your naturally gaited journey. or if there is a video I could produce that would be useful to you.

Enjoy your smooth gaited journey!

Jennifer, Makana, Lady and Marvel

I hope this is helpful. Let me know your thoughts by sending a message.

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