In an effort to promote education about horsemanship skills and how dressage can benefit horses of all disciplines, North American Western Dressage developed a unique ranch horse program in 2016. These specially designed tests help ranch horse exhibitors demonstrate how elements like gait transitions, turnarounds, pivots, extensions and more can be enhanced by qualities of rhythm, tempo, balance, energy and more.

The first year of the NAWD Ranch Horse Program is coming to an end, and NAWD is excited to host a Ranch Horse Championship Show Nov. 1–6. A portion of the entry fees from each competitor all year long has been set aside for awards, and now several buckles and conchos waiting to grace your belt are up for grabs at this pinnacle competition.

Celebrity Judge Lee Hart will score exhibitors’ Championship pattern, and veteran National Reined Cow Horse Association Judge Chris Jeter will judge a second test of the exhibitors’ choice.  The registration fee of $70 will cover these two tests.

1. Prior qualification for this show is not necessary. Show for the first time and hit ’em out of the park. Membership to NAWD is also not required, but highly encouraged.
2. The show is open from November 1–6. Entries will be submitted to judging on November 7, and the results will be posted by November 14.
3. Riders may compete aboard multiple horses, but each horse and rider pair must submit one Championship Pattern and one Test of Choice.
4. Championship buckles will be awarded to the high-point exhibitor in each division. Reserve champions will receive conchos, and we will have artisan ribbons for Top 6 places.
5. High-point awards are calculated by taking the average of the Championship ride and your Test of Choice, with points added for tests at higher levels.

The championship show test is available online at nawdhorse.org.

NAWD’s ranch horse program helps you develop your skills for breed shows and discipline-specific ranch competitions; its goals is to produce a horse that’s calm, relaxed, balanced and responsive, ready to do whatever task is at hand. Virtual showing and critiques help riders develop greater understanding about their performances and areas in which they can improve while keeping the cost and access to competitions affordable and convenient.

Learn more about NAWD’s ranch horse program online at nawdhorse.org/tests/ranch-horse.