About Us
North American Western Dressage is excited to provide resources to enthusiastic horse owners to learn the principles of how Classic Dressage can help the Western Horse become a better partner and improve overall performance in any discipline.
The North American Western Dressage Advisory Board
Since it’s inception in 2010, NAWD has stood for Horse Welfare. Our stance has been noted by these eminant Equine Welfare Advocates, and they have graciously agreed to join our Advisory Board.
Advisory Board Member
Jillian Kreinbring’s goal is to balance the natural and anatomic forces within and between the horse and human for healthy movement and vital longevity.
Advisory Board Member
Linda Hoover knows that the creation of a strong partnership between you and your horse is paramount to success.
NAWD Professional
Patrick King was very fortunate to grow up riding and competing with many breeds of horses in various disciplines.
Advisory Board Member
Dr. Gerd Heuschmann is well-known in dressage circles as an equine biomechanics specialist and veterinarian.
President & Six Feet on the Ground Director
Jen Johnson has had 35 years of experience riding, showing, training, and breeding horses on her hobby farm in Minnesota.
Associate Executive Director & Ethics Committee Chair
Greta Liubakka has owned, trained and ridden horses for 30-something years.
Publicity Director & General Board of Directors
Jessica Hein of Justin, Texas, is a lifelong horsewoman: she’s been taking riding lessons since age 8 and was active in 4-H before purchasing her first horse in 1999.
Treasurer
Kristine Barstow is the Internal Operations Manager at a million-dollar non-profit agency.
Virtual Show Manager
Pat Lancour has been managing NAWD’s virtual shows since 2019. She also serves on the Board of Directors.
NAWD TRAX Manager
Julia Monkman appreciates the value that the virtual show program creates by making riding accessible to all and promoting the strong partnership between horse and rider.
Judging and Education Director
Donna Snyder-Smith has been a national sports coach/clinician and riding instructor for nearly 55 years.
Membership Manager
Darlene Anderson. Email Darlene.
North American Western Dressage (NAWD) is a registered non-profit in the state of Minnesota.
NAWD is overseen by an Executive Director that works with an Executive Committee. Any paid member in good standing can make a rule change proposal for NAWD. Those proposals are reviewed by the respective committee(s) for consideration. NAWD has standing committees for Ethics and Competition. Those committees vote to bring the respective rule change proposal out of committee and to the Executive Committee. At the discretion of the Executive Committee, some rule change proposals may be put forth to the general membership of North American Western Dressage through a voting system selected by the Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee can make changes to NAWD fees, policies, and programs at any time including but not limited to NAWD Stars, NAWD Trax, NAWD Recognized Shows and other such programs. At the discretion of the Executive Committee, some program changes may be put forth for a vote by the general membership of North American Western Dressage through an online voting opportunity.
Contact Us
- NAWD Executive Committee:
northamericanwd@gmail.com - NAWD Trax: Julia Monkman
nawdtrax@gmail.com - NAWD Stars for Life: Julia Monkman
nawdstars@gmail.com - NAWD publicity: Jessica Hein
nawdpublicity@gmail.com - NAWD Shows: Pat Lancour showmanager@virtualhorseshows.org
- NAWD Merchandise and Logo Wear: Greta Liubakka
nawdclothing@gmail.com
Mission:
We will promote dressage principles as tools to enhance equine soundness and long-term health. We will keep the welfare of the horse a top priority.
Our primary focus is inclusion. Dressage is for all riders and horses; regardless of breed, size, color, talent, educational background, prior discipline, or financial status. We will strive to keep participation affordable for our members. We will work with other clubs and associations to make dressage accessible.
We will simplify the concept of dressage without minimizing the importance of the training pyramid nor sacrificing the principles that are fundamental to classical dressage.
We will demonstrate that any horse can become a better partner by incorporating dressage principles into their training. We will work with equine rescue organizations to identify potential Western Dressage partners and will show, by example, that great horses can come from unusual places.
We believe that our youth are the future of our industry. We intend to deliver quality educational resources and special privileges to equestrians under the age of 18.
We will educate the public and provide opportunities to compete and receive feedback. We will provide an open and inviting atmosphere at our events and will emphasize safe and fun competition. We will provide equal opportunities to all equestrians including youth, amateur, professional, and para-equestrians.
We will welcome all organizations and individuals to join us and we will not discriminate for any reason.
Message from Donna Snyder-Smith ~ Director of Judge’s Education
“When it comes to the welfare of our equine companions the “buck stops” with owners, riders and trainers.
But do judges also play a role in the health and happiness of horses?
I believe they do. We are obliged to follow the rules of the various associations and disciplines, but as judges we must also be responsible to the horses in a broader way.
We must insure the rules which are written to protect the horse in the competitive environment are followed. To do so effectively, we must be sure we are familiar with not just the ”letter of the law,” the rules, but also with its spirit. We must be careful in our observations and thoroughly even handed with every exhibitor.
A judge’s duty is to the horse first, the organization second, the rider third, and the trainer last. We must be first to call out trends that mistreat the horse or contribute to destroying its soundness. The official title may be “JUDGE” but truer title might be “horse advocate.”
Many of the exaggerated, destructive styles of movement we see in today’s show arenas, might have been short circuited if judges had held to the established standard without wavering or being influenced by others opinions. It is not enough to accept a pattern of performance from a horse and rider, injurious to the horse, simply because it has become so popular that “everyone is doing it.”
As judges, we have to exercise the authority of our office: we have to do better…….For the horse! “
— Donna Snyder-Smith