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Working Equitation
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INFORMATION SHEET ON WORKING EQUITATION WHAT IS WORKING EQUITATION? The competition is divided into 3 phases which are designed to test horse and rider through a range of activities. It combines flatwork movements and obstacle tests, inviting horse and rider to deal with a number of obstacles similar to those encountered when riding and working in the fields. Overall, the competition aims to promote good horsemanship, and a level of submission and control of the horse HISTORY Working
Equitation began as a competition in 1996
with the first European Championships
taking place that year in Italy. It is now a recognized sport in France, Spain,
Italy, Portugal and Brazil having secured considerable
following in
each of
these countries. The sport
has its own governing body in each of the member countries: the Federation
Francaise D’Equitation in France,the Real Federacion Hipica
Espanola in
Spain, the
APSL in
Portugal, and
the Federazione Italiana
Sport Equestri in Italy.Great Britain competed in the fist World Working
Equitation Championships which took place in Portugal in October 2002. Riders are given a series of dressage movements that must be ridden as a freestyle test within a 20m x 40m dressage arena. There is a set order for the movements and the test must be ridden within a given timescale STAGE 2 OF WORKING EQUITATION
– THE OBSTACLE COURSE – STYLE SECTION Riders are required to ride around a series of obstacles at canter and walk, as specified. The obstacle course is designed to show the rider’s ability to control the horse’s paces, and to display the empathy and trust between horse and rider. There are 3 levels of Working Equitation competition in the UK – Novice, Intermediate and Advanced. The Novice dressage test will contain movements similar to those seen at Novice and Elementary level dressage tests. The Novice obstacle course will incorporate simple obstacles which will need to be negotiated by horse and rider safely and with a degree of finesse. The Intermediate level dressage test and obstacle course will require a higher level of technical execution. Requirements in the Intermediate test correspond with those of a Advanced Medium dressage test, and all movements in the obstacle course are more demanding. A flying change is compulsory at Intermediate Level. The Advanced Level (European level) test requires all movements of the Intermediate level to be ridden with the reins in the left hand STAGE 3 OF WORKING EQUITATION – THE OBSTACLE COURSE – SPEED SECTION (as above but against the clock.) SCORING In the dressage test, marks will be awarded for the execution of each movement. Collective marks are awarded at the end of the test. The obstacles are marked individually, with collective marks at the end. A combination of these sets of marks, together with the time in the speed section, will declare the winner DRESS CODE Competitors will be required to wear beige/white jodhpurs, tweed/black or navy jacket with a stock or tie, long boots or short boots, gloves and a current standard (PAS 015) riding hat COMPETITION DATES - 2003 Working Equitation Competitions will
take place at Coldharbour Park Farm, Rake, Hants (April 26th,May
24th, June 7th), the Lusitano Breed Society of Gt Britain
Annual Breed Show, Addington, Bucks (July 26th/27th),
Cranleigh Show, Surrey (August 3rd) & Spanish Breed Show,
Hartbury, Glos (August 17th). APPEAL We anticipate that Working Equitation will appeal to riders wishing to improve their riding skills. It will draw a variety of breeds of horse, in particular horses of Iberian origin, and can be contained within an enclosed arena. The HQ and responsible body for Working Equitation in the UK is:
Working Equitation UK, El Bustan, The Drive, Ifold, West Sussex RH14 OTD For all enquiries please contact the Secretary, Sherene Rahmatallah at the above address.
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