Tag Archives: naturally gaited walking horse

Dressage for the Gaited Horse

Naturally gaited duo receives US Humane Society Award

2015-gaited-dressage-jennfer-klitzke-gift-of-freedom
Naturally gaited TWH dressage duo, Jennfer Klitzke and TWH Gift of Freedom, received an award and grant from The United States Humane Society “Now, That’s a Walking Horse” Program recognizing correct training of horse and rider without the use of artificial enhancements or aggressive shoeing techniques while focusing on the gymnastic development as a way to improve and establish the gaits of the Walking horse and through volunteer efforts to “spread the word” by sharing the good news about the natural Walking horse to the trotting as well as to gaited enthusiasts who have seen the limitless potential in the breed in new ways.

Naturally gaited dressage duo receives US Humane Society Award

By Jennifer Klitzke

Exciting news arrived in the mail! I received a letter from The Humane Society of the United States announcing that my naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse Gift of Freedom (Makana) and I have received an award and grant from The Humane Society of the United States “Now, That’s a Walking Horse” (NTAWH) program.

Cheryl Jacobson, Deputy Director,  Equine Protection of The Humane Society of the United States writes:

“Your application showcases the sort of approach to training of Tennessee Walking Horses that the NTAWH program hopes to promote. This includes correct training of horse and rider without the use of artificial enhancements or aggressive shoeing techniques while focusing on the gymnastic development as a way to improve and establish the gaits of the Walking horse.”

“We are further impressed by your volunteer efforts to “spread the word.” The best promotion for the breed is a good example. It is clear that you have provided that, sharing the good news about the natural Walking horse to the trotting as well as to gaited enthusiasts who have seen the limitless potential in the breed in new ways because of your efforts.”

A couple years ago The Humane Society of the United States began to offer an award program called “Now, That’s a Walking Horse” which recognizes individuals who demonstrate natural and humane ways of training their Tennessee Walking Horses(s). This year, I pulled the material together and applied for this recognition award and grant.

2 year old Tennessee walking horse
Gift of Freedom as a frolicking two-year-old filly.

History
I’ve been an avid dressage rider since 1988 with trotting horses and on Valentine’s Day 2007, my husband caved in a moment of weakness and said “yes” to one more horse. I purchased my first naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse, Gift of Freedom (Makana), just before she turned three years old. She had been selectively bred by a private family farm, imprinted and raised, and had 20 rides on her. Initially I was struck by her black beauty, and then her friendly “meet me at the fence” personality stole my heart.

I had no intentions of showing my Tennessee Walking Horse—especially dressage—because everyone told me dressage is only for horses that trot.

I had no intentions of showing my Tennessee Walking Horse—especially dressage—because everyone told me dressage was only for horses that trot. I just wanted a smooth horse to ride that would be easier on my aging body. However, since dressage had been the only riding style I had studied, that’s what became our training language.

TWH 3-gait Trail Pleasure Rail Class
Jennifer Klitzke riding Gift of Freedom at a TWH breed show in the 3-gait Trail Pleasure Rail Class

Later on I joined a local Tennessee Walking Horse association. They pleaded with members to show at the county fair for fear that classes would be cancelled due to a low number of entries. So being a good sport, I took my then four-year-old TWH mare to her first rail class show. To my amazement, Makana came alive in the show ring. We had so much fun I showed her at TWH rail classes for three years where she earned Trail Pleasure Champion in 2010 with the Minnesota Walking Horse Association. Makana has always been ridden and shown barefoot and in a mild snaffle bit or Imus Comfort Gait Bit.

versatility of the naturally gaited horse
encountering the moose obstacle
Jennifer Klitzke riding naturally gaited TWH Gift of Freedom at a Gaited Trail Trial encountering the moose obstacle.

Versatility
In addition to showing Makana in Trail Pleasure rail classes at Tennessee Walking Horse breed shows, we had been a TWH demonstration horse/rider team for the Minnesota Horse Expo, gaited dressage demonstration team for a traditional dressage Ride-A-Test clinic, and a gaited western dressage demonstration team for a Western Dressage clinic. We have competed at a gaited trail trial, an orienteering race, novice endurance races, team penning and cow sorting leagues, ridden hunter over rails courses, lots of trail riding, gymnastic jumping and gaited dressage.

Video: Minnesota State Fair TWH Stakes Class
(the only barefoot horse competing in the class)

Video: Minnesota Horse Expo TWH Demonstration Team

Video: Gaited Dressage Demonstration
at a Traditional Dressage Ride-A-Test Clinic

Video: Endurance Riding with a Gaited Horse

Video: Sorting Cows with a Gaited Horse

Video: Gymnastic Jumping with a Gaited Horse

Video: Gaited Dressage

Gaited Dressage: Training Level
Our first gaited dressage show in 2010.

I never imagined I’d be showing dressage after 16 years on a horse that doesn’t trot!

Gaited Dressage
In 2010, I saw a post on craigslist.com advertising a schooling dressage show near my home. I called the show manager and asked if I could ride my gaited horse in flat walk instead of trot. The show manager agreed and that’s when we made the switch to showing gaited dressage. I never imagined I’d be showing dressage after 16 years on a horse that doesn’t trot!

Since 2010, Makana and I have ridden over 60 gaited dressage tests at open USDF schooling dressage shows and have been the only gaited entry among the trotting horses. Being the odd ball at these events has sparked great conversations. Many people ask what breed my horse is and when I tell them she is a Tennessee Walking Horse they are wonderfully surprised to see a barefoot and naturally gaited TWH moving in a smooth four-beat gait without heavy shoes, artificial enhancements, or a harsh bit.

The main reason I bring my naturally gaited Walking horse to schooling dressage shows is to get feedback on our training from a professional. Plus, dressage tests force me and my horse to train through all of the required movements. The difficult movements traveling in the more challenging direction would be easy to avoid if I were just hacking at home.

In 2014, my naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse, Gift of Freedom, was named Champion in Training Level, Champion in First Level, and received the Highest Percentage Award in 2014 by Friends of Sound Horses (F.O.S.H.).

Flat walk
In First Level tests the horse must show bending through the corners at a flat walk, circle 10 meters at a flat walk, perform a 20 meter flat walk circle allowing the horse to stretch its head and neck down and out, and leg yields at a flat walk.

2015 Gaited Dressage Competitions
In 2015, my naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse, Gift of Freedom, and I competed at five USDF open dressage schooling shows and rode 10 NWHA Training Level and First Level gaited dressage tests. We were the only gaited horse entry among trotting horses at these shows which always opens the door to wonderful conversation with fellow competitors and onlookers. Nine times out of ten, people say that they own a gaited horse for trail riding, and it had never occurred to them that dressage training methods could actually improve their communication and partnership with their horse on the trail until seeing it in action!

1992-jennifer-klitzke-seiltanzer-first-recognized-show
My first recognized dressage show with my Trakehner/thoroughbred gelding in 1992.

Dressage Education
Beginning in 1988, I took 12 years of regular dressage lessons and showed my Trakehner/thoroughbred gelding SeilTanzer successfully at USDF recognized shows—Training Level through Second Level—until his retirement in 1996. Now with my Tennessee Walking Horse, I have resumed my dressage education by attending gaited dressage clinics with instructors who travel to my State, since no gaited dressage instructors teach nearby.

naturallygaited-Jennie-Jackson-dressage=as=applied-to-the-gaited-horse-clinic
Riding at a Jennie Jackson Dressage as Applied to the Gaited Horse Clinic in 2013.

Among the clinicians who I have ridden with are Larry Whitesell, Jennifer Bauer, Bucky Sparks, and I have coordinated two gaited dressage clinics with Jennie Jackson in Minnesota (2013 and 2014). In March 2015, I traveled to Tennessee to ride at a Jennie Jackson Dressage en Gaite clinic.

I also study the work of Mary Wanless riding biomechanics through her books and videos, Philippe Karl French Classical Dressage DVDs, and Lisa Maxwell Riding in Lightness DVD.

I am a member of Central States Dressage and Eventing Association and show my naturally gaited TWH at their schooling dressage shows and have been a member of Friends of Sound Horses (F.O.S.H.).

NaturallyGaited.com
In addition to training and showing gaited dressage, I launched www.NaturallyGaited.com in 2010 as a means to promote natural and humane training methods for gaited horses using dressage. This blog features stories, photos, videos, and information about how dressage can improve the quality of natural four-beat gaits without the use of abusive handling, heavy shoes, harsh bits, and artificial gadgets or enhancements. I also participate and promote natural barefoot trimming.

“Dressage is more than trot and the saddle you ride in.”

Readers of www.NaturallyGaited.com learn how dressage can help their trotty or pacey gaited horses develop smoother gaits as they develop relaxation, balance, rhythm, collection, and forward movement without rushing. Dressage improves the rider’s skills, sense of feel and timing of the aids in communicating with the horse and develops more harmony between the horse and rider relationship. In fact, dressage improves the horse’s natural gaits on cue, whether flat walk, foxtrot, or trot. Indeed “dressage is more than trot and the saddle you ride in.”

Volunteer Work

Students
As a volunteer instructor, I have introduced dozens of students, young and old, to the naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse and gaited dressage.

My naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse has introduced dozens of people—young and old—to the basics of gaited dressage as I offer lessons as a volunteer instructor at my hobby farm. I have also served as a volunteer foster care home and have trained and placed many horses for the Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue Foundation. In 2010, my husband and I fostered, broke, and trained a three-year-old Arabian gelding and competed him at the 2010 Trainer’s Challenge of the Unwanted Horse.

Over the last five years I have volunteered hundreds of hours providing graphic design, story writing, and photography for the Minnesota Walker publication for the Minnesota Walking Horse Association and cover designs for the Heritage Highlights publication for the International Heritage Walking Horse Society. Both non profit organizations are supporters of humanely treated naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horses.

NTAWH Grant

piaffe en gaite
Jennie Jackson riding TWH stallion Champagne Watchout in piaffe en gaite.

The NTAWH award includes a grant to use in furthering my gaited dressage education with my mentor Jennie Jackson to which I am so grateful. Not only has Jennie Jackson accomplished what no other person in history has by training and showing a Tennessee Walking Horse to the highest levels of dressage, but Jennie and her husband Nate have been on the front lines for over 30 years fighting against the soring and abuse that has tarnished the TWH industry. I am humbled to know them as mentors and friends.

I am honored to receive this recognition award by the United States Humane Society “Now That’s a Walking Horse” Program and am so thankful to obtain a grant to further my gaited dressage training with my mentor Jennie Jackson.

Let me know your thoughts by sending me a message. Stay connected by subscribing to the Naturally Gaited youtube channel and “like” us on facebook.com/naturallygaited.

Gaited Horse Stories, The Versatile Gaited Horse

So much to be thankful for

happy thanksgiving
Wild turkeys spotted on our autumn trail ride.

By Jennifer Klitzke

I have so much to be thankful for: a wonderful horse-tolerant husband, a loving family, my faith, good health, lots of friends (many of which are not human), living in a free country, and a job which affords me the means to own and care for my naturally gaited Walking horse Makana.

Ever since I was a child I dreamed of living on a farm and riding horses. Every birthday, Christmas, and loose tooth, came with the request of owning a horse. The pony phase never left me. I grew up to be a horse crazy lady and married a wonderful man later in life which led us to the country, a hobby farm, and my naturally gaited Walking horse in my back yard.

Wishing you and yours a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!

Dressage for the Gaited Horse, Gaited Dressage Shows

Gaited Dressage at Wildfire II

 

Wildfire Schooling Dressage Show open to gaited dressage

By Jennifer Klitzke

I was so excited to return to Wildfire on Saturday, August 8, 2015 with my 11-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse mare Gift of Freedom (Makana). Why? Because this time to ride for USDF “R” judge Nancy Porter. Normally one has to ride at a recognized show to be judged by this caliber of a judge.

However, we were off to a rough start. First my GPS was out of order and my cell phone ran out of juice, so we hustled back home for an ol’ fashioned map.

On our way to the show, a car that pulled out in front of us and I had to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting the car. Thankfully we didn’t collide, but the sudden stop left Makana rather rattled.

Forty minutes later we arrived safely at the show. I let Makana relax for a while then tacked her up for some long and low before beginning our warm up. Then I set up the video camera only to discover that I left the video chip at home. Rats! No photos or videos to capture the event.

On the bright side, we couldn’t have asked for better weather: 70 degrees, partly cloudy with a light breeze. And this time, no disco-dancing flower boxes to contend with.

But Makana’s heart didn’t seem to be into showing today. (I felt like I was squeezing an empty tube of toothpaste the morning before my annual dentist appointment!) I don’t know if it was the sudden stop or if she felt entitled to a weekend off after such a wonderful performance last weekend at Carriage House.

We rode NWHA First Level Tests One and Three. Areas we excelled in were center line halts (straight and square), 10-meter half circles at a flat walk, transitions and quality of our medium walk and free walk, flat walk leg yields, 20-meter flat walk stretch circles, 15-meter canter circles and transitions from flat walk to canter and flatwalk to medium walk to freewalk.

Improvement areas are showing more balance in the counter canter serpentines, showing more difference between the working and medium canters, and overall impulsion.

Despite how sluggish Makana felt, we received respectable scores of 66.5% in NWHA First Level Test One  and 63.9% in NWHA First Level Test Three.

For me it was an honor to ride for an “R” judge at a schooling show! Normally you have to ride at a traditional USDF recognized show for this caliber of judge.

After the show, I had the chance to talk with Judge Nancy Porter in the show office with a couple of other riders. Nancy asked me about gaited dressage, and I was able to share about how it is a humane and natural alternative to the soring and abuse that has tarnished the Walking horse industry. She fully supports the fight against soring and is all for applying dressage training methods for the gaited horse as an alternative to abusive and artificial training methods.

Wildfire Farm has hosted several schooling dressage shows this summer and has accommodated traditional dressage, gaited dressage, and western dressage tests. The next schooling show is scheduled for September 12. If you live in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, and are interested in giving gaited dressage a try, this is the perfect, low-key, beginner-friendly schooling environment for you!

Dressage for the Gaited Horse, Gaited Dressage Shows, Gaited Dressage Videos

Video: Gaited Dressage at Carriage House

Gaited Dressage at Carriage House

By Jennifer Klitzke

Inspired by seeing another gaited horse at the last Three Ring Circus schooling dressage show, I had to take my 11-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse mare, Gift of Freedom (Makana) to Three Ring Circus II held Sunday, August 8, 2015 at Carriage House Farm in Hugo, MN.

This time the dressage tests were ridden on a grass arena which made for a beautiful backdrop of mature trees. We were blessed with impeccable weather, and my lovely husband joined me to capture the event on camera.

Since the NWHA First Level Tests are the same as the USDF First Level Tests (with exception of flat walk and running walk in place of trot), Makana and I were scored with the other first level entries. As the only gaited horse, we placed 3rd and 4th with scores of 64.7% riding NWHA First Level Test One and 62.6% in NWHA First Level Test Three. It was close—only .3% separated us from 2nd place.

freewalk
Free walk is required in all dressage tests.

Medium walk
Medium walk is an active walk with contact.

Flat walk
In First Level tests the horse must show bending through the corners at a flat walk, circle 10 meters at a flat walk, perform 20-meter flat walk circles allowing the horse to stretch its head and neck down and out, and leg yield at a flat walk.

Running walk
Running walk is shown across the diagonal in First Level tests.

canter
First level tests require 15-meter canter circles, working canter, canter lengthenings, and one-loop counter canter serpentines.

Halt and salute
Each test begins and ends with a halt and salute where the horse stands square and immobile for three seconds.

I was very pleased with how Makana performed here tests. She was consistent in connection, depth of stride, rhythm, and balance in her flat walk, and she moved through the corners and circles maintaining a nice bend. It showed in our scores, too. We earned “8s” on our free walk and halt salute and many “7s” on 10-meter flat walk circles and 15-meter canter circles.

Areas of improvement include showing more difference between the flat walk and running walk, more precision on my part riding Makana through the counter canter serpentines to “x” and keeping Makana straighter through the leg yields at a flat walk.

Judge Jennie Zimmerman commented that she’s worked with gaited horses and encouraged me to further develop the running walk to show more difference from the flat walk, but overall we rode very nice tests.

Thank you to Carriage House Farm for hosting and organizing the Three Ring Circus II schooling dressage and hunter jumper show and for accommodating gaited dressage. It is always a joy to ride at such a fantastic facility!

Dressage for the Gaited Horse, Gaited Dressage Clinics

From Trail to Rail to Dressage?

Jennie Jackson and Cynthia Priebe
Pictured left to right: Dressage en Gaite Clinician Jennie Jackson, Heritage Walking Horse Temp’s Red Rascal, and Cynthia Priebe.

By Cynthia Priebe, Guest Writer

If you Google “Dressage,” you will learn it is a French term most  commonly translated to “training.” To most horsemen it conjures up
images of horse and rider teams such as Charlotte DuJardin and the great Valegro. We think of FEI, USEF, WEG and the Olympics.
We may think of Levels, tests and Freestyle performances. We recognize and may even understand a leg yield, shoulder-fore or shoulderin. We may not however think of our gaited horses doing these maneuvers, but we should!

Dressage at its most fundamental is a standardized and progressive training method intended to bring out a horse’s natural athletic ability and willingness to do what its rider asks of it. At its peak, the horse will respond ably to a rider’s minimal aids. The team performs together and it looks effortless. It is NOT breed specific. All horses can benefit from its principles and techniques.

However, over the years if I would discuss dressage as could be applied to my TWH, I would receive odd looks, wrinkled up noses, scoffs or comments of “Dressage does not and cannot apply to a Walking Horse.” If I was referring to the Equestrian sport of the FEI, USEF or USDF, they are correct, but I was referring to its principles and exercises for training.

The last few years have changed that. Gaited Dressage though not widespread is now recognized. Facebook and Web pages are dedicated to the subject. Clinicians and trainers of the gaited horse have written books, posted videos and sell DVD’s.

This past April, Temp’s Red Rascal and I attended a Jennie Jackson’s Dressage en Gaite Clinic. A day of watching other riders learn how to apply dressage principles to their gaited horses, and a one-on-one session of our own. Rascal and I haven’t really done anything but ride around the barn for the last few years. Improving health and other factors have revitalized my energy. Rascal’s abilities, temperament and patience have revitalized my confidence. My goal – use dressage to get us both back into shape.

Cynthia and her Heritage Walking Horse Temp's Red Rascal
Cynthia and her Heritage Walking Horse Temp’s Red Rascal

Jennie is so good at communicating with any and all levels of rider experience. She is patient, and really understands the gaited horse. She helped me understand where we are in the training pyramid and what we might be capable of. We successfully performed leg yields and shoulder-in and learned a new way to warm up for focus, muscle elasticity and increased responsiveness to the aids all without expending the energy Rascal would need to perform properly. May not seem like much, but what we learned that day has completely changed our relationship and what we have been able to accomplish together since.

Most of the Walking Horses at the clinic were from show bloodlines, and Rascal presented very differently so I seized the clinic as an
opportunity to discuss the Heritage Walking Horse. Other than Jennie, no one was familiar. Jennie explained how Rascal’s temperament, build and “On/off” switch where hallmarks of
the Heritage horse. She took the time to explain that though Rascal’s build kept him from having a big over stride, it was not what he was bred for. He was bred for a steady and consistent 4 beat gait that would cover uneven ground safely. So proud that Temp’s Red Rascal could be an ambassador for the Heritage Walking Horse that day!

Since the clinic, Rascal has been improving in all aspects of his condition, responsiveness and ability. He has actually increased his stride length which I attribute to our lateral work and the conditioning that dressage provides. We plan on showing again this year in Halter, Western Pleasure and Horsemanship (Equitation.)
I am not sure where we will pin, but I know we will have more fun this year than we have had in long time. And I am looking forward to the growth of Gaited Dressage and the possibility of testing in the near future on Temp’s Red Rascal.

So next time you hear “Dressage,” think Dressage en Gaite!

For more about the International Heritage Walking Horse Society, visit IHWHA.com.

To learn more about Jennie Jackson and her dressage en gaite clinic schedule, visit Jennie Jackson’s Dressage en Gaite Facebook Group.