Building Confidence Through Working Equitation

Recently, I had the pleasure of teaching a Working Equitation clinic for a group of enthusiastic riders in Anagance, New Brunswick. The clinic was organized by Elaine Sode of the East Coast Working Equitation Group and held as a part of the growing movement and interest in the sport.

When people think of Working Equitation they think of navigating obstacles, gates and bridges. However, at its core it is about developing communication, partnership, precision, and confidence between horse and rider. 

Working Equitation begins long before the obstacle is reached. Riders explored the importance of rhythm, balance, and planning each movement. Sophie appreciated the emphasis on dressage fundamentals, commenting that she enjoyed “the focus on dressage as a big part of the sport” and recognizing the importance of planning a course to showcase her horse to its best advantage.

Throughout the clinic, riders worked on the skills required to approach obstacles with clarity, maintain rhythm and balance, and improve their overall effectiveness as a team. Precision and being prepared is an important part of Working Equitation. Bev Sanders reflected that her biggest takeaway was learning “to be more precise” and becoming more focused in her riding. 

The importance of  the horse’s way of going is key and we worked on different exercises that helped suppleness of the horse and featured proper communication. So often when we ride we get into the habit of riding around and around, practicing things that we, and the horse, already know how to do. I wanted to shake things up and try to push these riders forward into developing their horses more deeply and thoroughly.

Rather than focusing solely on completing an obstacle, and checking off the obstacle boxes, we developed the horse’s suppleness through a series of lateral exercises, turns, circles, leg yields, shoulder in and linked how preparing the horse (and rider) with these exercises will improve communication and lead to greater success riding through the obstacles.  

The clinic provided opportunities for riders to work through a variety of challenges while building confidence in both themselves and their horses. As the day progressed, it was rewarding to watch horses become more relaxed and attentive, while riders gained a deeper understanding of how to support their horses through each exercise.

That growth in confidence was reflected in the participant feedback. Leshelle and her mare Ruby discovered that they were capable of more than they had imagined. As Leshelle shared, “Ruby gains confidence quickly with the obstacles. I also gained confidence in myself and in our relationship.”

What I enjoy most about teaching Working Equitation is seeing riders experience those “aha” moments when concepts begin to connect. Whether it was improving an approach to an obstacle, refining a turn, or developing a better understanding of timing and balance, each participant left with practical tools they could continue to develop at home.

Several riders commented on how the obstacle exercises helped them better understand their horses and improve communication. Carolyn Wanamaker told me that one of her goals was to help her mare become more confident with new situations. By the end of the clinic she observed, “My horse gained confidence with obstacles as the clinic progressed.”

The feedback from participants reinforced the value of combining technical instruction with a supportive learning environment. Riders reported increased confidence, improved communication with their horses, and a greater understanding of the skills required for successful obstacle work.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the organizer, Elaine Sode and East Coast Working Equitation, volunteers, and participants who made the clinic possible. The enthusiasm, sportsmanship, and willingness to learn created a positive atmosphere that benefited everyone involved.

Working Equitation continues to grow across Canada, and I am excited to support riders as they explore this versatile and rewarding discipline. I look forward to future clinics and opportunities to help horse-and-rider partnerships continue to develop.

If you are interested in hosting a Working Equitation clinic or learning more about this discipline, please feel free to get in touch.