Equine Feature Supplement February 22, 2018

EQUINE

FEBRUARY 22, 2018 | THE WELLINGTON ADVERTISER | 21

Rider brings western dressage to Wellington County BY JAIME MYSLIK

PALMERSTON – A local horseback rider is hoping to bring more western dressage to Wellington County. Though Shannon Tully South, 45, grew up in the English riding world, participating in one day eventing and carriage driving, she began riding western after taking time off to have children. “The western dressage just kind of appealed to me,” she said. “I had gotten a western saddle ... and I liked it because it was very comfortable and I just really liked the feel of it. “I just thought, ‘well, I’ll just give this a try,’ and then I kind of went from there.” The Western Style Dressage Association of Canada (WSDAC) began in 2011. Elaine Ward, a WSDAC founder, said western dressage takes the rider back to the basics and will help improve their performance in other equine sports. “It’s the fundamentals of position, it’s the fundamentals of communication, it’s the fundamentals of how those riders are applying their aids to the horses,” she said. “They’re learning how to ride, not how to sit and that’s where the magic of the western dressage comes in.” Western dressage is very similar to English dressage, South said. The horse and rider must complete a set test and are evaluated by a judge. One of the main differences is equine inclusivity. All horse breeds, including gaited horses, can participate. “In traditional dressage gaited horses can’t compete because their gait is so different,” South said. “If the test calls for trot,

they don’t do a trot so they would be excluded. “Through western dressage they actually have tests that are designed for gaited horses for their gaits.” Another big difference is attire. “If you don’t want to wear tight white pants then you don’t have to, which is kind of nice because they are mandatory in some dressage,” South said. Instead the requirements are a western saddle and western attire such as boots, a long-sleeved shirt with a collar, jeans and a helmet. “It’s just a little more casual, although people can get pretty dressed up,” she said. “You see a lot of bling showing up ... the shirts, they’ve got them with the bling down the back. “You can get as fancy or as simple as you want to be as long as you meet the basic requirements for your attire.” Many of the western dressage shows are sanctioned through WSDAC, which offers tests for all levels of rider from the introductory walk/trot to level four. When a show is WSDACsanctioned each rider’s results are collected and stored so they can qualify for national awards. “You compete at your sanctioned local show but then all of a sudden you realize you’re competing nationally as well,” South said. “You get a lot of benefit for your dollar.” Last year South and her horse Tido (Tostid O) were named basic level open champion and introductory level reserve champion after their first full season showing. WSDAC compiled her scores from all of her tests and counted her top three.

Photo by One for the Wall Photography

Shannon South and her horse Tido compete in western style dressage across Ontario. South also began a western dressage show in Mount Forest called 24 Carrot Dressage.

“There’s a lot of longtime competitors who have been doing it since its inception who will not hesitate to coach newbies through things and to show them sort of the ropes in their very first show.”

Photo by DC Photography & Design

- SHANNON SOUTH

“Intro is sort of your introductory level to western dressage so I started there and then ... I thought ‘oh I’m here I might as well just ride some basic tests because we’re dressed and everything’ and didn’t really think much of it,” South said. “Then at the end of the

year I looked at the standings and I went, ‘wait a minute, how did that happen?’” Ward is also South’s coach and she said South’s riding foundations contributed to her success. “I had hopes that she’d do well, but wow, I mean that was kind of mind blowing,”

Ward said. “Communication just started happening and it was this snowball rolling ... “I was so proud of her.” Next year South plans to compete in level one. It is $35 for a year’s membership with WSDAC and each day of showing costs

about $125, South said. “It makes it super accessible,” she said. “So people who want to try it ... don’t have to lay out huge dollars just to give the show a try.” And competitors are welcoming of new members. CONTINUED ON PAGE 24