An Introduction to Working Equitation

By Sara Bowman

One of my favorite performance divisions is Working Equitation - it’s becoming very popular because it is an event that nearly every horse and rider can compete in, using English or Western tack. According to the U.S. Working Equitation Association, “Working Equitation is a discipline intended to preserve and develop equestrian skills related to handling and sorting cattle.” Events are designed to test the skills and abilities of a horse and rider. There are three different phases of a typical Working Equitation competition: Working Dressage, Ease of Handling, and Speed Events. A fourth phase, Cattle Handling, is for team competition and most often held only at the championship level. A horse and rider that can complete all four of these phases demonstrates the true meaning of partnership.

The many faces of Working Equitation!

For the model horse performance shower, this discipline offers a wealth of opportunities to use many of your model horses and tack of all breeds and types, as well as unlimited opportunities for creativity in your set-ups! There are six different kinds of tack and attire that are acceptable in Working Equitation: Working Western, English Hunt Seat, Dressage, Spanish, Portuguese and Charro. Just remember that you can’t mix them! In general, the type of horse being shown should inform your choice of tack. By the way, even donkeys and mules are acceptable for this most egalitarian of riding disciplines!

Here are full explanations of the competition's different phases:

Working Dressage

Dressage is similar to the compulsory movements in an ice skating competition. Horse and rider perform a series of movements from dressage tests that grows increasingly challenging as their skills advance. Similarly, the Working Dressage phase is designed to test the regularity and rhythm of a horse’s natural gaits and their suitability to perform in the other phases. Working Dressage is based on a series of gymnastic movements which are judged individually on a scale of 0 -10. These tests increase in difficulty with each successive level of achievement. Working Dressage does not emphasize extension work - instead it seeks to create a foundation to improve a horse’s suitability and ability to work with cattle at speed and in a variety of circumstances.

Ease of Handling

Consider this the "trail class" phase of the competition. Obstacles are set up to simulate the difficulties encountered by a horse and rider in the field. They are numbered and ridden in order with the goal of the test to accomplish the obstacles with accuracy, ease, and smoothness. These tests are also scored on a 0-10 point system like the Working Dressage phase. There are six different levels in this test, but all of them will contain a similar array of obstacles. These can include: a bridge, figure eight, gate, jump, side step over a pole, water ditch, cloverleaf, etc. This phase is more than just performing arena trail movements - it's a test of the horse and rider's communication and skill. The compulsory gait between obstacles is canter; trotting between obstacles is penalized. For Level One competitors, a trot is allowed between obstacles.

Speed

As the name implies, this is a trail phase judged on speed. The obstacles utilized in the Ease of Handling trial are ridden at speed with no emphasis on style. Individual scores are based on elapsed time through the obstacles with time penalties added for mishandled obstacles. This trial is designed to test the rider’s coordination and capacity for anticipation, in addition to the horse’s qualities of submission, speed, attention, and finesse.

Cattle Handling

This phase has elements of both a cutting horse competition and team penning. It tests the ability of a horse and rider to work, individually and as a team, with cattle. Four cattle per team must be available for 4-member teams (or three cattle for 3-member teams). A number or color identifies each set. The team works together to separate their assigned cows from the herd - one at a time, one cow per rider. Each team member works individually to separate one of the assigned cows. As soon as the cow has been separated and herded outside the herd zone, one or more members of the team may assist the rider in herding the cow to the holding pen. The other members contain the remaining cattle in the herd zone, but may not cross the foul line. Once the test is completed, the cow is free to return to the herd and the team prepares for the next rider’s test. The time limit for separating a cow is 3 minutes.

This new equestrian discipline is rich in possibilities for any level of performance shower. Good documentation is very important as judges may not be as familiar with it yet. The main thing to remember is to have fun and get creative with your entries! For more information, visit the USA Working Equitation website.