Our first Western Dressage/Trail Clinic was great! It was well received by all riders and attendants.  Everyone arrived by a Friday afternoon and settled into the facilities at the Spur area complex and barns.
We were all so appreciative of the facilities management and Tim Smith of The Texas and  Southwestern Horse Show Council for their organizational skills, conditions and set up of the arenas. Our clinician was Cody Siebert, a wonderful woman who offers coaching in Classical and Western Dressage, and Trail to all types of riders and breeds of horses. (Please visit her website at codysiebertridingcoach.com).
The participants braved the 30 degree temperatures to participate in both the western dressage and trail classes. Some came from as far away as the Houston area and some from area ranches. In our first demonstration on Friday evening, Cody gave us examples of horsemanship through the basic dressage movements. Under western tack the movements optimized the partnership of horse and rider for their mutual benefit.  She also taught us to think of the dressage test as just “patterns” to practice and not a “test.”
The trail clinic portion showed the maneuverability of a horse and rider through an obstacle course.  This also enhances the communication between horse rider.  Everyone seemed to really enjoy this addition to the western dressage clinic.
Our April clinic was canceled due to spring breaks and Easter. Our next clinics are scheduled to be in May and June. Check with Tim Smith at 325-450-1771 for dates and availability.  We hope you too will get to experience the journey you can have with your horse in these disciplines.
Sharon Booth,
AWSSR Western Dressage Rep.

(Photos by Debbie Baker Photography)