Cowboy Dressage ~ Join the Excitement!
Cowboy Solutions is pleased to announce our alliance with
Cowboy
Dressage Founders, Debbie and Eitan Beth-Halachmy
www.CowboyDressage.com
http://www.CaCowboyDressage.com/
You
can quickly and easily turn your 20m x 60m or your regular 20m x 40m dressage
arena, into a Cowboy Dressage arena!
For a 20m x 60m, Depending on
your rail length - we have rails available - decide the number of cones
for the 20m short side.
Generally, you will need four, if you are using a
4m rail.
Each cone is $30 including
shipping
Courtesy
of Terry & Susan Tomasini, Tomasini Training Center
Download the ™Cowboy
Dressage Court layout in .PDF here!
Eitan
Beth Halachmay created the new Cowboy Dressage™ Court simply because it
made good sense.
The layout and transitions on this new court help the rider
with precision and execution. The smaller court fits the movement and
shorter stride of the western horse. You call the test with just the letters but
the brands are the Cowboy Dressage™ court’s identity making it very western and
different from the standard dressage court.
This new court is a revolutionary design "made in America!"
The Rules Cowboy Dressage™
Riding “The Court” with Simple Rules, Objectives
& Requirements
Appointments and Attire.
- Western tack must be used in all classes.
Competitors must be penalized for incomplete appointments and attire but not
necessarily disqualified. Entries shall be shown with stock saddle but silver
equipment will not count over a good working
outfit.
- There is no discrimination against any standard
Western bit. A standard Western bit is defined as having a shank with a
maximum length overall of 8 1/2” The mouthpiece consists of a metal bar 5/16”
to 3/4” in diameter as measured one inch in from the shank. The bars may be
inlaid but must be smooth or latex wrapped. Nothing must protrude below the
mouthpiece (bar) such as extensions, prongs or rivets designed to intimidate
the horse. Rollers attached to the center of the bit are acceptable, and may
extend below the bar. Jointed mouthpieces are acceptable and may consist of
two or three pieces and may have one or two joints. A three piece mouthpiece
may include a connecting ring of 1 1/4” or less in diameter or a connecting
flat bar of 3/8,” to 3/4” (measured top to bottom with a maximum length of
2”), which lies flat in the mouth, or a roller or port as described herein.
The port must be no higher than 3 1/2” maximum with roller(s) and covers
acceptable.
-
Jointed mouthpieces, half breeds and spade bits are standard.
Slip or gag bits, rigid donut mouthpieces and flat polo mouthpieces are
prohibited. Roping bits with both reins connected to a single ring at center
of cross bar must not be used. Reins must be attached to each shank. Any rein
design or other device which increases the effective length and thereby the
leverage of the shank of a standard western bit is prohibited. Anything that
alters the intended use of equipment as provided for in the description of
appointments for a given class is considered to be an artificial
appliance.
- A standard snaffle bit is defined as a center
jointed single rounded, unwrapped smooth mouthpiece of 5/16” to 3/4” diameter
metal as measured from ring to 1” in from the ring with a gradual decrease to
the center of the snaffle. The rings may be from 2” to 4” outside diameter of
either the loose type, eggbutt, dee or center mounted without cheeks. If a
curb strap is used it must be attached below the
reins.
- A hackamore includes a bosal rounded in shape and
constructed of flexible braided rawhide or leather and must have a flexible
nonmetallic core attached to a suitable headstall with maximum diameter of
3/4” at the cheek. Attached reins may be of hair, rope or leather. Other
material of any kind must not be used in conjunction with a bosal, i.e.,
steel, metal or chains (Exception: Smooth plastic electrical tape is
acceptable).
- Horses must not be shown with artificial appliances
that would tend to alter their performance; no material of any kind, including
tongue ties, may be placed in the horse’s mouth other than a standard Western
bit or a snaffle bit. Curb chains and leather chin straps may be used but must
be flat and at least 1/2” in width and lie flat against the jaws of the horse.
Wire, rawhide, metal or other substance must not be used in conjunction with
or as part of the leather chin strap, or curb chains. Rounded, rolled, braided
or rawhidecurb straps are prohibited. A light lip strap is
permissible.
- Riders must wear suitable western hat, long-sleeved shirt
with any type collar; trousers or pants (a one-piece long-sleeved equitation
suit is acceptable, provided it includes a collar). Riders should wear a
necktie, kerchief, bolo tie or pin; a vest, jacket, coat and /or sweater may
also be worn. Protective headgear is acceptable; not required to be of Western
style.
Exceptions and
Additions to Above Rules
General
- Voice commands are allowed as long as softly
spoken.
- Two hands allowed with a curb or a
snaffle.
- No extra points given for one
hand.
- Posting at the free jog is an
option.
- Caller may use microphone.
- Riders are allowed to pet their horses as a reward
when appropreiate (in front of the
withers).
- Cavesons (a nose band) allowed with bit or snaffle.
Caveson must be western type,
no crank or flash type allowed. Two fingers must fit between caveson and jaw of horse. - Two fingers must fit between flat leather or chain
curb strap and jaw of horse.
- Loop and any type western rein is allowed.
- Western type saddle with horn to be used. No
non-horn trail or Australian type saddles are
appropriate.
- Hackamores allowed on any age
horse.
- No bitless bridles, sidepulls, halter or similar
devices.
- Crops or whips may be used but excessive
use will be penalized.
- Spurs allowed but excessive use will be
penalized.
Clothing
- Chinks or Chaps an option but not required. Jeans
and riding skirts allowed.
- All junior riders are encouraged to wear a
helmet.
- Boots are required, no riding type shoes
allowed.
Objectives
- Judges will be looking for a horse and rider
combination that executes the tests in harmony and partnership. They will be
looking for and rewarding the “soft feel” between rider and horse.
Release, Relaxation, Preparation and Execution will be the main criteria that
judges will be scoring. Precision, Balance, Cadence, Carriage, Control, and
Performance will be of substantial importance but Harmony, Soft Feel and
Partnership is the goal of Cowboy Dressage™ and will be scored accordingly.
Any rider who hangs or bangs on a horse’s mouth or rides with horse’s head
behind the vertical or with over flexion will be
penalized.
Clarification on Light / Soft Contact
- Light or soft contact does not mean you throw or
pitch the reins away and allow the horse to carry himself on the forehand. It
means what is says, Light/Soft contact.
- You can’t ride with soft feel if your
seat, hands and aids are not being correctly used. Soft feel is the
end result of all aids in proper use, balance, rhythm and
partnership.
|
- www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/Animal_Health/emmp/ for current rules on drugs and drugging in the
state of CA. If you are holding a show outside of CA please check with your
states rules and policy on drugs and drugging during horse
shows.
Cowboy Dressage™ Glossary and
Definitions
Gaits
- Working Walk: Four-beat with forward reaching
steps. The head and neck should swing naturally as a result of a relaxed back
and free shoulders. The horse maintains a light contact with the bit with his
nose slightly in front of the vertical.
- Free Walk: Four beat with forward
lengthening of steps. The horse is relaxed and allowed by the lengthening of
the reins to lower his head and neck and to stretch forward, down and
out.
- Working Jog: Two beat and forward with
even and elastic steps. The back is relaxed and the shoulder is free.
The hind legs should step forward under the horse. The horse is maintainers a
light contact with the bit and his nose slightly in front of the
vertical.
- Free Jog: Two beat, with forward
movement allowing lengthening of even and elastic steps. The horse is relaxed
and allowed by the lengthening of reins to lower his head and neck and to
stretch forward. The horse maintains light contact with the bit with his nose
slightly in front of the vertical. Posting is an
option.
- Working Lope: Three beat with forward
reaching with balanced steps. The back is relaxed and the shoulders free with
the hind legs stepping forward under the horse. The horse maintains on light
contact with the bit with his nose slightly in front of the
vertical.
- Free Lope: Three beat with forward and
more lengthening of steps. The horse is relaxed and should be allowed by the
lengthening of reins to lower his head and neck but still maintain balance,
light contact with the bit with nose slightly in front of the
vertical.
- Back (or Reinback): The horse moves
backwards in a straight line by moving his legs in diagonal pairs. The horse
is backed using light aids and maintains a round, soft
outline.
Cowboy Dressage™ Turn on the
Haunches: The horse bends slightly in the direction of the
movement and moves his front legs (the outside front leg crosses over the inside
front leg) around the hind legs. The outside hind leg and both front legs move
around the inside hind leg which forms the pivotal point of the turn. The horse
should remain in the same location, by balancing his weight between the inside
to the outside hind legs.
- Cowboy Dressage™ Turn on the
Forehand: The horse bends slightly in the direction opposite
from the movement of the hindquarters, or away from the direction of travel
and moves the hind legs around the front legs. The inside front leg is the
pivotal point while the inside hind leg crosses in front of the outside hind
leg moving the hind legs around the front legs.
Terms- COLLECTION: To shorten the frame of the horse.
Move weight to the hindquarter and elevate the
wither.
- FAULTS: Loss of three beat rhythm, crookedness,
tight and tense back with short stiff neck; horse on forehand and/or leaning
on the bit, nose consistently behind the vertical, changing
tempo.
- RHYTHM: Is the recurring characteristic
sequence and timing of footfalls and phases of a given
gait.
- TEMPO: Is the rate of repetition of the rhythm,
the strides or the beats.
- CADENCE: Is the marked accentuation of the
rhythm that is a result of a steady tempo and a springy
impulsion.
- ADJUSTABILITY: The ability to shorten or
lengthen the stride and the topline of the horse within a gait and/or pace
without changing the tempo. An athletic horse shows this capacity naturally,
and his ability to do so is further developed by correct
training.
- In other words, the horse must not rush when asked
to lengthen, nor slow his tempo when asked to collect. The ability of a rider
to show adjustability of the gaits while maintaining a steady tempo is a
major proof of his/her skill.
- Lack of regularity at walk, trot or canter is a
fault that must be penalized in a Cowboy Dressage horse. With correct
training, however, the gaits can become amplified and more
expressive. As the horse develops physically, he gains strength and
can carry more weight behind; thus the forehand becomes lighter and the
shoulders have more freedom, reach and mobility. Much of a horse's
training is devoted to developing relaxation, so as to preserve the purity of
the gaits.
- A rider must always maintain a proper
position and alignment in order to connect the horse correctly from
back to front and to encourage him to carry more weight
behind.
- Cowboy Dressage™ Help,
Instruction, and Judging
- Cowboy Dressage is not offering a certification
program of instructors, trainers or clinicians. We do have a list of people
who we think are fine horse people who understand and believe in Eitan’s
teachings, training practices and philosophy. Each has spent time with Eitan
and has shown great aptitude and a genuine interest in helping others with
Cowboy Dressage. Some are available for clinics. Please check with each
individual as to what they can do for
you.
- Dale
Rumens-Partee
Snohomish, WA 425-319-9280
Dale@westernskyhorsemanship.com
www.westernskyhorsemanship.com - Lyn Ring Rose
Moe
Woodland, CA 209-747-0984
lyn@lrmequestrian.com
www.lrmequestrian.com - Susan
Tomasini
Santa Rosa, CA 707-486-5946
susan@TomasiniTrainingCenter.com
www.TomasiniTrainingCenter.com - Chris
Newbert
Ocala, Fl 603-764-5905
chrislnewbert@gmail.com
www.rstours.com - Jim
Hackett
Rocky Ridge, MD 443-848-2037
redrock3@msn.com
www.redrockranch.info - Dianne Olds
Rossi
Auburn, CA 530-320-1209
magicalworld@earthlink.net
www.worldofdancinghorses.com - Jack
Brainard
Whitesboro, TX 940-368-1691
jackbrainard@yahoo.com
www.jackbrainard.com
- Lester
Buckley
Kona, HI 808-640-1618
lesterbuckley@gmail.com
www.buckleysporthorses.com - Donna
Duvall
Palmer, TX 214-403-0932
donnaweisberg1@gmail.com
www.donnaweisberg.net - Garn
Walker
Auburn, CA 95602 530-305-4341
Garn Walker Stables
walkerstab@aol.com - Rodolfo Lara
(Rudy),
Cowboy Dressage from the Ground Up
Dr. Karl Cloninger at Stormwalker Ranch
Oklahoma (877) 545-7770
clinics@stormwalker.com
www.facebook.com/StormwalkerRanch - Barb
Apple
Washington State
360-83-3616
horseplay1@barbapple.com
www.BarbApple.com - Shawn
McEntee
Salisbury, MD 614-581-0308
smc1159@gmail.com - Lynn McEnespy
USEF Licensed R dressage judge
Chico, CA 95973 530-343-6806.
LMcEnespy@yahoo.com
www.eswaterford.com
Cowboy Dressage Clinics Link
Here!