Working Equitation
Jerry on Feb 18th 2010
Working Equitation is a new equine sport that all countries with a tradition of working cattle on horseback can participate in. Here in the U.S. we think of the “American Cowboys” as the only ones working cattle daily on horseback yet, several countries in Europe also have a tradition of using horses to work cattle. Countries like France, Italy, Spain and Portugal all have long standing traditions for working cattle with horses. Working Equitation gives riders from each country an opportunity to test the skills and abilities of both the horse and rider for qualities needed for working cattle in the field.
Those competing in Working Equitation are encouraged to display the culture of their country by using the traditional equipment of the country, the saddle, the bit and the dress. Along with the traditional costumes of each country are also the differing styles of riding that are unique and that make it fun and interesting for the spectators.
The main requirements for Working Equitation are obedience, agility, speed, and the ability to work a cow.
In order to test each one of those qualities the competition has a corresponding stage/event.
Working dressage: This event tests the obedience of the horse. It is conducted at the working gaits, the walk and the canter, and eliminates the trot. The rider must ride with only one hand on the reins at all times. The arena is a standard 40 x 20 meter dressage arena and some of the maneuvers that are required are circles, straight lines, half passes, pirouettes and flying changes.
Obstacles: This event tests the agility along with the bravery of the horse. The obstacles are simulating things one would encounter in the field. Gates, small jumps, backing down a corridor, sideways over a pole are just a few of the 10 to 15 obstacles a rider might encounter in this event. In this test the horse and rider are judged on style and maneuverability not speed.
Speed: This event tests the speed and submission of the horse. This is a timed event and is made up of 15 obstacles and may use many of the same obstacles as in the previous test.
Cow Working: This tests the ability of the horse and rider to work a cow. This test is performed with a team of 3 or 4 riders. The objective is for each rider to move a preselected cow from the herd and put it in a designated pen.
Here is a short video on Working Equitation. It was the only video I could find that includes all four tests.
Working Equitation is a unique mixture of dressage, speed, maneuverability and cow working that is sure to offer a challenge for many competitors at all levels. Here in the U.S. Working Equitation is pretty much unknown to the general horse world, however, there are a few clinics and instructors on the subject if you search. The Andalusian and Lusitano registry (IALHA) offer a few classes at the larger shows but outside of that it is relatively unheard of in North America. The USEF have created some preliminary regulations that should be finalized soon so that the events can be opened up to all breeds.
Here is one more video of a Working Equitation Speed Test. This is my favorite one on you tube.
Would anyone be interested in trying this? Please leave a comment.
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Bonny Curlesson 03 Mar 2010 at 2:17 pm 1What a really interesting type of competition… Thank you for sharing…
Hannahon 14 Mar 2010 at 5:05 pm 2I do this discipline, trying for junior british team this year… LOVE IT
Crystal Earharton 26 Apr 2010 at 12:58 am 3I am very interested in learning more about this discipline and training for it.
George Spearon 06 Jun 2010 at 11:45 am 4I am going to start a club here in new england that focuses on this sport
George Spearon 20 Jun 2010 at 12:25 pm 5A friend of mine who is jazzed about this contacted the USEF.
Here is the deal so far.
“Somebody suggested I call USEF, so I did.
After being put on hold a bunch of times (I could now repeat David O’Connor’s shpiel verbatim) I finally found a very nice woman in Lexington who actually knows something about this. We had quite a lengthy chat, and she told me that they’re still in the process of assembling something like a system of rules and regs for the US, and that they’re doing this by pulling bits and pieces out of various European rulebooks. When I asked about this, she said they were doing it this way to make it more “user friendly” to American audiences, though I’m not quite sure what this will mean in the end. (She did say they’d be eliminating the optional cow phase – which at least saves some cash on heifers.)
Meanwhile, there’s apparently a lot of interest among Andalusian people, which is not surprising. Apparently these guys will be running a few open classes at various venues, just to see if there’s sufficient interest to proceed further.
So, to make a long story a bit shorter, it seems pretty impossible to guess what the tests will eventually look like, or even what the details of the courses might be. It didn’t sound like they’d necessarily resemble the tests used by the Andalusian people at all. Total bummer.
The nice lady and I exchanged contact info, though, and I’ll keep you up to speed on new developments as they come in.
Best,
Elizabeth”
George Spearon 20 Jun 2010 at 1:37 pm 6update on tack/costume from E:
“Apparently the tack and costume will be determined by the horse’s breed and nation or origin, so that a Lusitano would wear Spanish tack, and a QH would wear “American tack” as the USEF lady put it.
When I asked what “American” meant, she said “probably Western . . . or maybe Dressage?” (Not super helpful, aye?) I just hope it’s not Western. I absolutely refuse to wear one of those hideous polyester blouses with rhinestones all over it. And I CANNOT ride in a Western saddle. So I may have to say herbie is a Lusitano/Percheron cross or some such thing.
Also, I can’t imagine what Arabians, Morgans or Aztecas might wear. Would Thoroughbreds wear “English” tack? How about Haflingers?
I dunno. This doesn’t seem like best rule in the world.
Anyhow, I’ve been practicing riding one-handed; not easy in a snaffle!
Best,
E”
Colleen S.on 07 Jul 2010 at 4:54 am 7To answer your question, yes, I would love to try this event—after my horse and me are further along in our training. I loved watching the videos. Have never heard or seen this event before. To be successful at this event, horse and rider need to master foundation skills and then perfect them and rider would need to have good relationship with horse and impeccable timing. Lusitanos looked awesome in this event!
Shelby Humeon 09 Jul 2010 at 1:14 pm 8What a great sport!
Many of you may already know this (but in the event that you do not), The ERAHC (Eastern Regional Andalusian Horse Club) hosts Working Equitation at two of it’s shows!
The other bit of good news is that this class specifically is open to all breeds not just the Lusitano and Andalusian. I have attended and shown in the past and the shows are well organized and have a friendly feel and the class is certainly a great way to put principles to purpose.
It looks like we will also be hosting a judges seminar at my farm before the WEG and I will post more information on my website (currently down but back up soon!) or face book.
Have fun!
Shelby Hume
Linda Richardson 09 Jul 2010 at 3:39 pm 9Hey Jerry!
Great Blog! Great website! Of the little I know of this sport, the speed event is certainly my favorite. Please keep learning about this so you can teach us one day!
Naturally,
Linda (the OTHER Linda)