Working Equitation is an inclusive equestrian sport that welcomes all breeds of horses and ponies and many different styles of equipment (including bitless bridles).
This sport brings the traditional farm and field-related tasks performed by horses into the modern equestrian arena. Working Equitation welcomes different types of horses, rider attire and saddlery, which is distinguishing trait of this discipline when compared to other equestrian sports.
A Working Equitation competition consists of 4 phases- a Dressage Test, Ease of Handling, Speed, and Cattle work. In the Ease of Handling and Speed phases, the horse and rider combinations ride a course and complete exercises that they would in the field – for example, open the gate, pass over a bridge, jump over a low rail, cross a bridge, ride down a corridor, touch a bell and come back.
Working Equitation offers variety to the horse and rider. Versatility is important and there are a lot of riders who no longer wish to compete in pure dressage- they can compete at a high level in working equitation!
Brookleigh Working Equitation along with a panel of coaches who specialise in their chosen fields offers you state of the art facilities and a safe and fun learning environment for you and your horse.
Working Equitation Levels
The various levels with Working Equitation allow for all levels of riding these levels are:
Level 1 Introductory (mainly walk and trot)
Level 2 Preparatory (mainly trot, introducing canter)
Level 3 Preliminary
Level 4 Debutante W
Level 5 Debutante F
Level 6 Consagrados 2
Level 7 Consagrados 1
Level 8 Masters
An example of one of the world’s leading riders during Speed phase.
Dressage Phase
The Dressage test highlights the skills and harmony horse and rider are required within Working Equitation. While training and preparing for dressage tests you are also having the added benefit in complimenting your other equine disciplines. Encouraging smooth transitions, perfect circles, straight lines and clear yet subtle communication aids with your horse. All dressage movements are the foundation movements for navigating an obstacle course. The dressage tests have been designed with different skill levels to suit the different stages of development of your horse.
Download the tests here: https://anwe.org.au/learn/#tests
Ease of Handling Phase
The Ease of Handling Phase is ridden with style and elegance as you complete a course of obstacles at walk, trot or canter depending on your level and the matching skill requirements. Such obstacles may be:
- Two Barrels
- Three Barrels
- Bell Corrider
- The Bridge
- Garrocha pick up
- Spear the ring off the back of a pretend bull
- Garrocha deposit
- The Gate
- The Jug
- The Jump
- The Rein Back Obstacle
- Side Pass Pole
- The Single Slalom
- The Double Slalom
- Stock Pen
- Switch Cup
- Picking up and depositing an Oilskin
- Parallel Post Rein Back
- Moving Switch Cup
Speed Phase
The Speed phase of Working Equitation is to test the speed, agility, athleticism, and submission of the horse and the balance, aids and seat of the rider. Lead Line – Level 1 and Introductory – Level 2 will not compete in this phase, however Introductory may ride a second Maneability phase at the discretion of the Organising Committee.
Cattle Phase
The Cattle Phase tests the ability of the horse and rider to work cattle individually and with teammates. Although it is a timed event it still imperative that the welfare of the horse and cattle is held in the highest regard.
The test is performed with a team of four riders. The objective is for each rider to move an assigned beast from the herd and put it in a designated completion zone and for the team to demonstrate teamwork by herding/containing cattle efficiently and accurately. A major part of a single rider’s test is to cut out his or her designated beast from the herd, with team members assisting once the designated beast or any of the rest of the herd is in the general cutting zone.
For further explanation of each level, phase rules & requirements please follow this link: https://anwe.org.au/learn/#competition