aited horses are not currently allowed to compete at a USDF recognized show,although dressage schooling shows will allow gaited  horses if  the  management is notified ahead of time and if
            specified gaited horse tests, approved by USDF, are provided.  Jennie Jackson has actually written many of the tests used at TWH dressage shows. Whether the show is open or is a breed 
            association dressage show, these provide great opportunities to introduce the dressage community to the gaited horse, and visa versa.  One of the best advantages to showing at any dressage
     show is that, as the horse and rider perform, only one judge is completely keeping his or her attention on just one competitor at a time.  Meanwhile, a scribe writes down every
comment the judge makes so   when  the  rider completes the test, the judge sends the comments home with the rider for a mini-lesson, complete with information for
improving that next ride. Another excellent dressage opportunity for gaited   horse owners is a recently organized event called the Three Phase Event.  Jennie Jackson helps to
 organize this event, held from May 15-16 of this year.   
 Champagne Watchout claimed the winning title of the Three Phase Event for the first two years of the event's organization.  Now in its fourth  year, the Three Phase Event
is a versatility event held for both  gaited and non-gaited horses. 

  Initially the event was designed specifically for gaited horses but it became so popular that people with non-gaited breeds are also more than welcome to attend. 
Just like three-day eventing, the Three    Phase Event consists of dressage, obstacle trail (instead of stadium jumping), and cross country, which is similar to a shorter version
 of competitive trail riding, complete with small jumps up to two and a half  feet.

  Dressage may seem to be a lofty aspiration to some, reserved only for those with Warmbloods or for those whose unflinching dedication is enough to take them all the
 way to the FEI levels.  However, like  Nathanael Jackson says, "Dressage is the next big thing for the gaited horse."  Through education and experimenting a little with a
very rewarding way of riding, any horse, especially any gaited horse, and rider can tap into the centuries-old secret of connection, beauty, and transformation that can
 be attained by scratching even just the surface of dressage.  Take Champagne Watchout's lead and begin to tap your horse's inner dressage talent, waiting for an even
 more willing and graceful partner to spring up beneath you.

        
 Photo by Shelley Giacomino
Check out http://www.threephaseevent.org/ for more information.  For more information on gaited dressage, see www.usef.com, www.nwha.com, and you can
 learn more about the Jacksons, Champagne Watchout, and Dressage En-Gait at   http://www.walkinonranch.com.