Western Dressage
Western dressage gives Western riders who've been interested in the traditional sport of dressage--where horse and rider are judged individually and work their way gradually through well-defined levels--a way to try it out without changing gear. Learn what maneuvers are important, what the tests entail, what kind of horse can flourish in Western dressage, and more!
-
The Free Trot
Mastering a nice forward, working jog is key to a good Western dressage test. Western dressage trainer Tim Christensen demonstrates a correct working jog on his Appendix mare and shares his tips for creating a good jog.
-
The Working Jog in the Show Pen
Mastering a nice forward, four-beat walk is key to a good Western dressage test. Western dressage trainer Tim Christensen demonstrates a correct walk on his Appendix mare and shares his tips for greating a great walk.
-
The Walk in the Show Pen
Western dressage trainer Tim Christensen demonstrates the lateral movement necessary for the level 1 Western dressage test. He explains what to do if your horse looses forward momentum and shows lateral movement off both the right and left sides.
-
Lateral Movements
Watch as Western dressage trainer Tim Christensen demonstrates the turns you'll see in a Western dressage test.
-
Introducing Your Horse to Turns
Western dressage trainer Tim Christensen describes the ideal walk for the Western dressage. He shares what judges are looking for as well as what your horse's movement should look and feel like.
-
Introduction to the Western Dressage Walk
Western dressage trainer Tim Christensen explains the importance of transitions in a dressage test. He walks you through the basics of transitions and demonstrates riding a correct downward transition.
-
An Introduction to Transitions
Watch as Western dressage trainer Tim Christensen demonstrates his technique for working your horse through a distraction.
-
Working Your Horse Through a Distraction
The rhythm and cadence of every footfall is important in dressage. Tim Christensen explains the origin of dressage and why you need to pay attention to your horse's footfall in Western dressage lower-level gaits and maneuvers.
-
Lower-Level Gaits and Maneuvers
In this video, Tim demonstrates the left/right drill that he had his non pro riders do in the last video. He shows you exactly what the circles are supposed to look like, and explains why this is a great drill for warming up your horse.
-
The Left/Right Warm Up
Tim Christensen has his students demonstrate the left/right drill. He helps them work through the exercise, focusing on round circles, switching the bend, and helping the students support their horse's outside shoulder.
-
The Left/Right Drill
Tim Christensen has his students demonstrate the spiral exercise. This exercise helps create rounder circles and while making your horse more flexible.
-
The Spiral Exercise
Tim Christensen has his student demonstrate how you use your seat to steer.
-
Using Your Seat to Steer
You can use cones to improve the roundness of your circles.Tim Christensen explains where to place the cones and how to ride the exercise while his student demonstates.
-
Using Cones to Improve Circles
Tim Christensen discusses some of the problems that can arise when riding circles in the Western dressage. He helps one of his students troubleshoot and offers her advice on how to improve the roundness of her circles.
-
Focusing on Round Circles with a Non Pro
Tim Christensen helps one of his students riding an Arabian/Trakehner cross work on 20 meter circles in to 20x40 arena. He uses the toy train analogy to help explain how to keep roundness in the circles.
-
Working on Circles with a Non Pro
Learn how the dressage pyramid can help you train and get a feel for Western dressage. Tim Christensen explains the blocks of the pyramid—rhythm, relaxation, connection, impulsion, straightness, and collection.
-
The Dressage Pyramid
Tim Christensen demonstrates riding serpentines on the quarter line. He explains where to turn, where to switch the bend, and other points to keep in mind while riding the serpentine.
-
Demonstrating Serpentines on a Quarter Line
Tim Christensen demonstrates riding serpentines on the quarter line. He explains where to turn, where to switch the bend, and other points to keep in mind while riding the serpentine.
-
Demonstrating Serpentines
A serpentine is three equal loops. Tim Christensen demonstrates several correctly ridden serpentines, noting where he turns for each.
-
Learning the Basics of Loops
Tim Christensen explains the basics of loops. He demonstrates some of the loops you may see in the intro tests and discusses how knowing the geometery of the ring can help you ride them correctly.
-
Geometry of Circles
Tim Christensen demonstrates how to correctly ride 20 meter circles tracking left at E, A, and B. He explains where each circle should begin and end in order to be the correct size and shape.
-
Different Types of Saddles
Tim Christensen discusses the different types of saddles that may be used in Western dressage.
-
Introduction to a 20x40 Arena
Tim Christensen explains how X can help you shape and place your 10 and 20 meter circles.
-
20 Meter Circle at X
Tim Christensen explains where a 20 meter circle will be ridden when called for in a Western dressage pattern. He demonstrates the exact points you should hit when riding the circle and explains what the circle should look like.