Photos by Debbie Baker along with other photographers

The third and final Western Dressage/Competitive Trail Clinics finished up in Texas recently. Sharon Booth, our western dressage coordinator, organized the clinics.

Clinic participants braved a number of weather conditions throughout the series including 30 degree temperatures, severe storms, power outages and hot and humid conditions. All participants who made it through received their Certificate of Achievement awards.

“A special thank you to all those who participated,” Sharon said. “We all really appreciated our great coach, Cody Siebert, for all her instructions and patience with us…and our horses. She is so full of intelligence and grace!”

In the final clinic session, Cody schooled the participants on the matters of showing, what the judges are looking for and how to properly ride the patterns of different tests. They also learned how to call the test to one another.

“We had no idea how difficult the timing could be and how to use our ‘outside’ voices!” Sharon said.

Sharon wanted to thank their clinic photographer, Debbie Baker, for all of her work along with the facilities management team at the Spur Arena complex. She also thanked Tim Smith, who handled planning and scheduling.

“Again, many thanks to everyone for making this a fun and educating experience,” Sharon said. “What a journey and a great way to get our American Warmbloods and sport horses registered!”

Along with the ending of our first year of western dressage clinics out in Texas, AWSSR also has exciting news about our year end awards. For the first year ever – and continuing in future years – AWSSR is presenting belt buckles to the top 3 finishers.

 

Three tests have to be submitted to AWSSR by Dec. 15, 2019. Tests must include scanned copies of the front side of the test sheets showing date, name of show, which test, judge and score. Tests from shows dated after Sept. 30, 2019 will qualify for the 2020 year-end awards. Schooling and rated shows are accepted. Participants must have their 2019 dues to AWSSR paid along with the $35 fee for year end awards.

Scores will be decided by median score, not the average. Email tests to info@awssr.org or mail to PO Box 38 Berger, MO 63014.