California Western Dressage Association

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California Western Dressage Association The official State affiliate of the Western Dressage Association of America. Western horse and rider they will be shown in Western tack and clothing.

Western Dressage is defined as training and developing the Western rider and horse to improve themselves as individuals and as partners through the use and discipline of Dressage. A Western Dressage horse is encouraged to work and school on lighter contact than the typical dressage horses. While both want to see balance, cadence and carriage, the Western Dressage horse will be evaluated with the conformation and movement of today’s western horses in mind. A Western Dressage horse will have a shorter stride than a Dressage horse and the Western Dressage horse will be asked to walk, jog and lope as opposed to walk, trot and canter. The description of the gaits is virtually identical but the Western Dressage horse must maintain “ridability” for the rider in a Western saddle. The rider’s position will also be somewhat different from that of a regular Dressage rider because of the Western saddle. The use of hands will appear somewhat different because of the Western bit; the Western Dressage horse should be “working on and accepting the bit”.

🚨 FINAL CALL TO REGISTER! 🚨We still have a few spots open for BOTH of our upcoming online events discussing the NEW 2027...
10/21/2026

🚨 FINAL CALL TO REGISTER! 🚨

We still have a few spots open for BOTH of our upcoming online events discussing the NEW 2027 WDAA Tests! 🐴✨

✨October 23 6:30pm PST - Gail Matheus | NEW Advanced Walk-Jog, Freestyle Pairs, Rail Tests & Introductory–Level 1
✨October 30 6:30pm PST - Eleanor Stine-Masek | Levels 2–6
❗ Registration closes Thursday, October 22 at 7:00 PM PST!

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the new tests directly from experienced WDAA judges who created them!

👉 Register now: https://www.cawda.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=429393&module_id=809025

💙Everyone is welcome!💙

10/21/2026
10/16/2026

WDAA is proud to offer $500 scholarships — funded by a youth grant from US Equestrian Federation — to support young equestrians looking to expand their Western Dressage education.

These scholarships can be used for clinics, camps, or other educational experiences and/or non-show events.

Applications are accepted year-round, with awards given April, August, and December.

📅 Next deadline: November 15th

Apply today 👉 https://wdaa.memberclicks.net/wdaa-youth-educational-scholarship-program

📸 Vince LeMaster Photography

📣🚨IMPORTANT UPDATE🚨📣
10/16/2026

📣🚨IMPORTANT UPDATE🚨📣

📣Calling ALL Western Dressage family!📣

You asked for information about the NEW 2027 WDAA Tests — and we made it happen! 🎉

🎉 SIGN-UP IS NOW OPEN! 🎉

Calling all Western Dressage enthusiasts! 🐴✨ Join CAWDA for two special online events diving into the NEW 2027 WDAA Tests with Gail Matheus and Eleanor Stine Masek!

📅 October 23 & October 30
⏰ 6:30 PM PST
🌟 Everyone is welcome!

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the new tests directly from the experts!

👉 Sign up today: https://cawda.org/online-education

🎊Wait List for the Introduction to the WDAA 2027 Test🎊
If you are unable to attend the Oct. 23 and/or the Oct. 30 presentations but are still interested in hearing these informative lectures, please go to https://www.cognitoforms.com/CaliforniaWesternDressageAssociation/Wait-List

If we are able to schedule additional sessions, we will notify you via your email address.

10/15/2026

NEW USEF GUIDELINES FOR DECEMBER 1, 2026!

Beginning December 1, 2026, all horses competing in USEF-licensed or endorsed competitions must be microchipped with a 15-digit ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip. Microchipping ensures accurate identification, improves equine safety, and supports effective biosecurity measures at competitions. Riders and owners should verify that their horse’s microchip information is recorded in their USEF Member Dashboard.

Microchipping will be required at the 2027 WDAA World Championship Show.

To learn more about the process, requirements, and benefits of microchipping, visit https://www.usef.org/compete/resources-forms/competition-management/competition-safety-biosecurity/microchipping.

10/14/2026

1,287 rides across six divisions at this year's World Show.

Western Dressage is for everyone, from junior riders to adult amateurs and professionals, gaited horses, physically challenged riders, and therapeutic riders.

There's a place for every rider and every horse.

10/14/2026

October 11 Pacific Dressage was rescheduled because of rain to this Sunday the 18.

10/13/2026

Address

11033 Baldy Mesa Road
Tehachapi, CA

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