Western Dressage
Ignite the Passion and Begin Again by Kelley Bitter
R
ecently I had the pleasure of working with a group of women I call Begin Again Riders. These ladies used to trail ride or show horses until life got in the way. Now that the kids are grown and jobs are good, they want to get back to riding. But it is more than just getting on a horse again. These ladies want to regain or start a partnership with their horse. They all want the bond that makes them feel they are part of something again, something that feeds the part of their soul that made them feel free, joyful, and excited. It is what they share with the horse that ignites the passion to ride again. In our discussions of what their riding goals are, the discipline of western dressage always comes up. Why western dressage? As a newer discipline, it is very welcoming, and the majority of women involved are over 30.
They are tired of the main show between rider and horse. The ring but want something that partnership that can be developed challenges their skills. Western is priceless. I say partnership but dressage speaks to them. It that also means the love we have offers a sisterhood where the for these horses, what feeds our ladies help each other and soul and enriches the lives above all, share in of both the horse and the joy of riding the rider. That’s horses. This the partnership comradery It all starts with what these Begin helps make A g a i n western dressage getting back Riders seek. It all starts in the saddle can offer the horse with what and even western showing in and the rider. dressage can dressage less offer the horse scary. Riding and the rider. The a western dressage exercise it offers the horse test is not like showing main ring. It’s just you and your helps in strengthening and horse. It really does not matter if conditioning the body as well as you go to shows or not, western developing suppleness. The mind dressage provides great exercises of the horse also needs to be for your horse to stay supple and exercised. The western dressage keep in shape. Keeping old Red tests have clear objectives and in great condition is important maneuvers that make the horse and helps him be a happy horse. think, listen and respond. Most But more than that, I have seen horses want a job and western this discipline strengthen the bond dressage offers various jobs at many levels. Your horse does not have to ride at level III test; introductory is just fine to keep the mind and body going. The tests maneuvers also keep the rider conditioned and fresh. Using the aids to move the horse through the tests are strengthened. The rider and the horse learn to move as one. The horse listens for the cues and the rider must be able to support the horse and use the aids to provide the cues. As the horse and rider learn to move together in harmony, the partnership is enhanced, and a mutual respect is formed and strengthened. The Begin Again Riders are
a true joy to work with. It is a delight for me to teach them western dressage and watch the partnership between horse and rider develop. Western dressage is such a wonderful discipline that helps strengthen, renew and ignite the passion to ride again. It does not matter if you compete or not, the training, exercises and discipline are exceptional for conditioning the horse and the rider. The embracing and openhearted nature of this newer discipline offers riders a safe and nurturing environment to begin igniting their passion to ride again. You can join us and inflame your passion to ride again. Kelley Bitter is the owner of Buckeye Performance Horse Center in Newbury, Ohio. A second-generation horsewoman. Kelley began riding and showing at 4 years old. In her teens, she started riding Arabians in various discipline and won several Regional and USEF titles over the last 50 years. Kelley started riding western dressage with her sister’s Paint when her sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and could not ride anymore. She stayed with the discipline learning as she went from showing and reading about western dressage. She began showing her Arabians western dressage in 2017 and again won several titles including placing two of her Arabians in the WDAA World show in 2020. Kelley currently runs riding programs for beginners and begin again riders as well as Western Dressage Programs and Arabian Sport Horse Programs.
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HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
August 2021
