Understanding the “Why” Behind Working Equitation

Working Equitation has been on my radar for a few years now and it is gaining traction for good reason. It combines the precision, beauty and partnership of dressage and the purpose of a “working horse”. And you know what? It’s fun.

I travelled to the East Coast Working Equitation Symposium and shadowed Working Equitation Judge Lise Leblanc to get a better understanding of Working Equitation and to become a recognized judge for East Coast Working Equitation.

During my time training with Lise, she reiterated the importance of the classical dressage foundation for working equitation horses. If you don’t have a good foundation, it will haunt you as you progress through the stages.

Working Equitation showcases the skills and riding techniques developed from working horses in Portugal, Spain and France. It is an international sport and its popularity is increasing every year because it is fun and combines the agility, rideability of your horse with classical dressage and working horse techniques.

Working Equitation has four phases:

1. Dressage – testing the finess, obedience and engagement of the horse,
2. Ease of Handling – testing the partnership and talent as the team complete a series of obstacles mimicking what they would find “in the field” working with cattle or on a ranch.
3. Speed round – testing the Ease of Handling while at speed. The team completing the course in the fastest time is considered the winner.
4. Working Cattle – this is a test of the horse and rider’s ability to work cattle.

Each of these phases test the obedience, agility and partnership of the hors eand rider team as they complete the obstacles.

If you are looking to try something new, exciting and will help you develop your riding skills try working equitation.

Dressage Phase:

The first phase Dressage phase is a scored test, similar to classical dressage, that assesses the horse’s training, obedience and communication. It is based on the working equitation model and has specific adaptations specifically for the sport. For example, the introductory level includes a halt and reinback as well as a 5 m volte because these movements are considered a foundation for the other phases. 

It takes place in a 20m X 40 m arena. Higher levels may require one – handed rein use.

Ease of Handling

The “ease of handling” trial in Working Equitation is a mandatory second phase that tests a horse and rider’s ability to navigate a prescribed obstacle course with fluidity and control. This phase is judged similarly to dressage, in that each prescribed movement receives a score, with emphasis on the harmony between horse and rider. 

There are different obstacles, such as navigating a slalom, opening/closing a gate, a bridge, and a slalom around drums. Judges evaluate a variety of aspects, including transitions, gaits, impulsion, and overall presentation. 

Ease of Handling and Speed. These are the moments when our training truly shows. In Ease of Handling, we ride with precision and calmness through each obstacle, asking for confidence, suppleness, and quiet communication between horse and rider. Then, in the Speed phase, that same partnership transforms into agility, adjustability, and quick thinking — all while keeping connection intact.

Speed

Speed in Working Equitation is a timed trial where horse and rider navigate a course of obstacles as quickly and accurately as possible. During this phase the fastest rider with the most accurate round is preferred.

The rider’s coordination, the horse’s submission and speed, and the accuracy of performing each obstacle determine the final score, which is calculated by adding penalties to the base time. Penalties are given for errors such as incorrectly latching a gate or knocking over obstacles. 

Cattle Trial

A cattle trial in Working Equitation is a timed, team-based event where three or four riders must work together to cut a specific, numbered cow from a herd and guide it into a holding pen. It’s the fourth and final trial in team competitions and tests the horse and rider’s ability to work cattle in a ranching-style scenario, demonstrating skills developed in the other trials, such as precision, agility, and responsiveness. The fastest team to successfully pen their designated cow, with the fewest penalties, wins.

Interested?

Then follow along as I explain more in-depth about the intricacies of Working Equitation, the obstacles and the foundations that will help you succeed with your riding. If you are ready to give it a go, call me and we will set up some lessons for you. Start discovering the quiet power, precision, and joy this discipline can bring to you and your horse.