Tag Archives: showing dressage on a gaited horse

Showing Gaited Dressage

Naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse shown at a running walk in a First Level dressage test for the gaited horse.
My barefoot and naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse and I are showing dressage at a flat walk and running walk instead of trot.

Showing Dressage with a Gaited Horse

By Jennifer Klitzke

Yes, you can show your naturally gaited horse in dressage without trotting!

This is great news for those of us who love to show. Showing gaited dressage is growing in popularity around the USA—both english and western variations. Virtual shows allow you to compete without leaving home.

Are you interested in riding your naturally gaited horse at a dressage show but not sure what to expect? I’ve ridden my Tennessee Walking Horse and grade gaited horse at traditional schooling dressage shows for years. This video shares tips on riding a dressage test with a gaited horse.

Watch: Tips on Riding a Dressage Test with a Tennessee Walking Horse

Schooling dressage shows

Schooling dressage shows are a great way to give dressage shows a try. In this friendly environment, you’ll receive constructive feedback from an experience dressage professional on where you and your horse are at in your training—what’s working and what needs improvement. Plus, you don’t have to wear the stuffy suit or braid your horse’s main, unless you want to. Casual riding attire is the norm at schooling dressage shows. The only requirements are riding with a helmet, boots with a heal, and riding in the right equipment: legal snaffle and english saddle for tradition dressage and some western dressage allows a legal curb or snaffle and a western saddle.

Riding a naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse at one of three North American Western Dressage Association Shows
Riding a naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse in virtual North American Western Dressage Association Shows.

I love riding dressage tests because they are written to help the horse develop symmetry. All movements are shown traveling clockwise and counterclockwise. Invariably, one direction is more challenging for my horse and for me as a rider. Showing dressage encourages me to face my weaknesses and address challenges I might otherwise avoid, like breaking up the left lead canter that can get pacey or break into a cross canter. (Of course, not all dressage tests require canter. The Intro level tests generally require halt, walk, and a smooth gait like flat walk.)

Showing dressage with my naturally gaited horse challenges me to become more aware of how my riding position and use of aids affect my horse. The dressage test helps me communicate more precisely through the use and timing of my hand, leg, seat, and weight aids to guide my horse through each movement at the letter. This also means preparing my horse before each transition. Each test leads my horse through a variety of gaits and postures to develop quality smooth gaits and full range of movement.

Yet by facing weaknesses, my horse becomes more supple and stronger and improves symmetry, while I become a more confident rider and our partnership grows.

Five benefits to showing gaited dressage

  • Introducing your horse to unfamiliar sights and sounds
  • Being in the spotlight, alone in the arena with the judge’s undivided attention through several minutes of your test
  • Confirming where you and your horse are at in your gaited dressage training by a professional judge
  • Receiving your test sheet with scores and remarks from the judge to know what went well and what needs work
  • Bragging rights if all goes well!

Showing is not a requirement to learn dressage

For me, dressage is more than riding a test at a show. It’s about continually learning to become a more educated rider; developing a balanced riding position; awareness of feel; the use and timing of my hand, leg, seat, and weight aids; how my riding position and aids effect my horse.

Gaited dressage is about seeking to declutter my mind and be present with my horse; to listen to, understand, and respond to my horse in a two-way dialogue and partnership using my voice, my hand, leg, seat, and weight aids.

Gaited dressage is a mobile communication language

Gaited dressage is how I communicate with my horse whether I show or not.

  • Gaited dressage is while riding at home in my arena
  • Gaited dressage is while riding on the trail
  • Gaited dressage is while sorting cows or negotiating a trail obstacle
  • Gaited dressage is riding a test at a show

Dressage is a versatile language


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

Visit website: NaturallyGaitedHorse.com
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First Dressage Show on a Horse that Doesn’t Trot

Gaited Dressage: Training Level

Can you show dressage with a naturally gaited horse? Are you required to trot, or can you perform your horse’s natural smooth gait? I was about to find out!

First Dressage Show on a Horse that Doesn’t Trot

By Jennifer Klitzke

A beautiful fall day graced the Walker’s Triple R dressage show on September 19, 2010. Wonderful and warm people of all ages. A variety of lovely non-gaited horse breeds (and one naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse).

This was Makana’s first dressage show. It had been 16 years since I had last shown dressage with my Trakehner/Thoroughbred. I never imagined that I would return to showing dressage on a horse that doesn’t trot!

Thrilled about a dressage show so close to home, I entered my six-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse to receive feedback about our training. Since I was the only rider on a horse that didn’t trot, I had no expectations to place. I just hoped we didn’t get laughed off the show grounds! Thankfully I had cleared our flat walk in place of trot with the show manager before we arrived.

To my amazement, Makana did exceptionally well with scores of 68% and 66% in Training 1 and 4 tests. She rode relaxed and confident, took correct leads, and made smooth transitions at each letter. She scored an “8” on her free walk on a long rein and did well in her canter work.

We received deductions in the overall gait score since we did not show the trot. This is a required gait when riding the United States Dressage Federation tests. Yet we took home two second place ribbons as the only gaited horse. We rode with 13 others who rode Friesians, warmbloods, thoroughbreds, Arabians, and quarter horses.

Among the comments at the end of our first test, judge Jenny Zimmerman asked, “Is there anything your horse won’t do for you?”

I remarked, “Yes, trot!”

We laughed. She said that my horse could probably learn that too, but I think I’ll pass. After all, a smooth gait is why I bought a gaited horse.

Naturally gaited Walking horse ridden at a free walk on a long rein
Naturally gaited Walking horse ridden at a free walk on a long rein.

I can’t say enough about how well organized the show was and how friendly the people were. Organizers Judy and Mike mentioned that these were among the top priorities as they planned this summer’s three shows. The facilities were well laid out with plenty of warm up area. Intro tests were held in the indoor arena and arenas were available for horses to warm up prior to classes. This made it less intimidating for horses new to showing and helped build their confidence. The scary trailer seemed to lose its power after a few practice laps.

While conversing with several people, I learned of a schooling dressage show held on Sunday, October 10 at Rocking R Ranch in Foley, MN. This show welcomes dressage for gaited horses with tests that reflect the smooth gaits.

I met several dressage riders who own gaited horses and several others who know dressage riders with gaited horses in the area. This is utterly exciting to know that there are others out there who blend dressage riding with gaited horses.

I never imaged showing dressage with a horse that doesn’t trot would connect me with such wonderful people!


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

Visit website: NaturallyGaitedHorse.com
Subscribe: Naturally Gaited youtube channel
Follow: facebook.com/naturallygaitedhorse