The International Performance Horse Development Association (IPHDA) wants to know, “how broke is your horse?” The new organization, which just completed its first competition year, is dedicated to helping its members develop “willingly guided horses” from the comforts of home.
The IPHDA is described as a combination of western dressage, reining and basic training, and offers competitive divisions for all horses and riders.
But what truly makes the organization so unique is its events, which include Virtual Shows, where exhibitors from around the world submit their performances to the IPHDA on videotape. Each participant’s videotape is critiqued by an IPHDA judge and entered into an online show. The judges offer feedback on scores and advice on how to improve each performance, making every IPHDA exhibitor a winner. There are even cash paybacks for the champions and chances to win many awards just for entering.
During 2008, the IPHDA had the following performance horse industry stars judge its online shows:
• Jim McCutcheon from Valley View Texas
• Todd Sommers from Whitesboro Texas
• Casey Hinton from Whitesboro Texas
• Clint Haverty from Krum Texas
• Lindsay Grice from Ontario Canada
In addition to online shows, the IPHDA offers “V Practices,” which are set up for equestrians who don’t have ready access to trainers in their area. Using the Internet, the IPHDA and participating clinicians offer each V Practice participant personalized training critiques and tips.
To learn more, visit www.iphda.com.
For advice on western training, visit HorseChannel's Ask the Expert pages.