North American Western Dressage congratulates Ashley Wallace of Satsuma, Alabama, as our top versatility rider from the NAWD May Trailblazers showâs versatility category.
Talented horses and riders involved in North American Western Dressage
North American Western Dressage congratulates Ashley Wallace of Satsuma, Alabama, as our top versatility rider from the NAWD May Trailblazers showâs versatility category.
© 2016 by NAWD
Watch a video of Ashleyâs winning NAWD Trail ride at nawdhorse.org. Ashley shares a bit more about her journey in Western dressage with her talented horse CLR Shesa Bonita.
I have raised and trained my horse, Bonnie, since she was a yearling; now, she is truly hitting her stride. I can honestly say that NAWD has helped us grow in leaps and bounds in the six months weâve been participating.
Early in Bonnieâs career, we focused on competitive trail competitions. We also competed in local open shows and AQHA Ranch Horse Riding, and some limited Western dressage events.
While competitive, I knew we were missing something. I was looking to continue our journey. I wanted a better idea of what to work on to improve and help Bonnie be the amazing athlete I know she can be.
The focus on the classical training scale emphasized by NAWD has been amazing. It helped me find my way out of the âlow and slowâ mindset favored by many in the Quarter Horse world, in all aspects of our routine from trail to ranch horse to showmanship and hunter under saddle.
I started competing with NAWD early in 2016, and I found out quickly how little I actually knew! I received excellent feedback on where to focus my energy, both on the ground and in the saddle.
We worked, we improved, and the dividends were nearly immediate. At our first bigger versatility show in April 2016, Bonnie and I took first in almost everything we entered and ended up high-score dressage for the weekend with a 74% and versatility high-point.
We have always been a pretty good team, but I feel like the excellent feedback provided by NAWD played a big part in helping us to become great team. I believe we can do anything because weâre building an excellent foundation on proper horsemanship and the classical training scale.
Registration for the next NAWD virtual show is open, and videos for the Midsummer Celebration Virtual Show may be submitted from July 2â10. Register on the NAWD Website at nawdhorse.org.
This show is a fundraiser benefiting Ruthie Marquez, daughter of Vaquero Training Centerâweâre helping raise funds for an âAutism Angelâ service dog. Donate $5 when you register for the show, and NAWD will match the donationâthereâs a link on the website for those who want to donate more or donate without participating in the show.
Sign up for three or more testsâat least one performed in-handâto qualify for versatility awards: an embroidered cooler for the high-point winner, and neck sashes for first through sixth place.