The Ranch and Equest Dressage present: A Western Dressage Clinic with Janet Henderson and Vivian Hemsley to give riders and coaches a better understanding of the new WSDAC tests and movements.
Find out what the judges are looking for and improve your movement scores
Saturday January 18th
(Inclement Weather Date: Saturday February 1st)
9:00am – 4:00pm
@ The Ranch, 2401 Burnhamthorpe Road West, Oakville, Ontario
With Clinicians:
Janet Henderson, EC Dressage Judge and WSDAC Western Dressage Coach (https://www.rivendellsporthorses.ca/) and,
Vivian Hemsley, EC Dressage Judge
Open to:
10 Riders from any of the WSDAC Western Dressage Levels 1 through 5. Cost $100.00 including stabling and lunch. **Please see Rider information and applications below!
30 Auditors Cost $40.00 and includes lunch and participation in Q&A sessions with clinicians. **Please see information and ticket purchase portal below!
ALL Coaches with competing Western Dressage Students. Cost is FREE but an RSVP is required. Please contact info@ridetheranch.com to RSVP as a Coach.
Clinic Goals:
- To determine what the judges are looking for when scoring the NEW WSDAC tests
- To help the test riders workshop and improve select test requirements/movements
- To help Coaches, Riders & Auditors explore and understand the similarities and differences between English and Western Dressage tests and judging as outlined by WSDAC
**All participants, auditors and coaches will be provided with copies of the new tests, also found here: https://westernstyledressage.ca/rules-and-tests
Tentative Program:
(Levels & Movements TBD by rider applications so may not be as below)
9:00am – Welcome and Introduction
9:15 – Level 1 Workshop – 1/2 turn on haunches or pivot & working vs. lengthened gaits
10:15 – Q&A and Break
10:30 – Level 2 Workshop – haunches in & sidepass
11:30 – Level 3 Workshop – half turn on the forehand right (haunches left), 1/2 pivot right & back 6 steps proceed collected lope
12:30 – Q&A and Lunch
1:30 – Level 4 Workshop – full turn on the forehand left full pivot left & 1/4 and 1/2 pirouette
2:30 – Level 5 Workshop
3:30 – Q&A and Closing remarks
** Proposed outline for each level workshop:
- Warm up – Janet Henderson will help riders warm up including an opportunity to discuss the quality of western dressage gaits
- Both of the riders will ride a small section of their test that involves the specific movements being workshopped; Vivian Hemsley will score each rider.
- Janet Henderson will help the riders improve the movement followed by a second opportunity to ride and have the movements scored and discussed by Vivian Hemsley
Riders can apply by submitting an application HERE.
**Please note that all riders must be competing (or intend to compete) at WSDAC level 1 through 5 AND have a current (2025) Ontario Equestrian membership. Riders will also be required to sign a liability release waiver for The Ranch.
**The Ranch will provide stabling for competitors for 1/2 day only according to their ride time. Riders may bring one groom to assist (included in the price). Riders may also choose to keep their horses on their trailers during the clinic if they prefer.
**Riders and grooms are welcome to stay for the entire clinic if that’s logistically possible for them given the stabling limitations. Lunch is included for both rider and groom.
**Rider applications will be reviewed and riders selected and notified by January 6th. Riders not selected will be invited to attend as auditors.
In-Person or Online Auditing Tickets available HERE
Tickets to join us as an auditor are available below and are NON REFUNDABLE. We may open additional in-person spots after January 6th depending on rider applications. The online audit will be via a Zoom meeting.
In-person auditors should bring their own seating and should dress for outdoor temperatures (indoor riding arena).
**Please note that recording any portion of the clinic, either in-person or online, is strictly prohibited.
EQUEST DRESSAGE 