Converting to Working Equitation!!!

[rebecca_yount]

Thanks to pluvinel on another thread here (I think it was one where Michael M. posted a link to a video of a baroque horse doing a PSG dressage test, maybe Carlos Carniero, and everybody jumped on it and then started talking about Working Equitation and then pluvinel mentioned that all breeds can do it)–my Oldenburg mare and I just went to our first Working Equitation competition this weekend at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington. It was a part of the Eastern Regional Andalusian Horse Club competition, and they graciously allowed all breeds to participate in the WE part. We were judged by Joao Raleo Duarte, a Portuguese who is the President of the World Association for Working Equitation, who was also very generous with his time in doing the course walk with the competitors.

http://www.wawe-official.com

May I just say that THIS is what is really meaningful about what we do. There is a dressage test, an ease of handling phase, and a speed phase (definitely the most fun). It grew out of countries (it’s in its infancy here, much more developed in Europe) that traditionally use horses to work cows. Since we use horses to work cows here on the farm, it seemed like a good idea to explore this new (to the US) discipline.

Dior and I had SO much fun! It was a very small and low-key competition, held at a very good venue, and everyone was friendly and welcoming. The competition itself is really fun. We only did the lowest level, since this was our first competition.

Oh and we won our dressage test and were champions at our level. Everyone did great and we all had a lot of laughs.

I’m selling most of my dressage stuff and converting. I encourage others who are looking to have fun and do something meaningful with horses to look into the discipline.

[2tempe]

I’ve watched the videos of the top guys a bunch of times; I have a Lusitano, so was impressed to see them doing all the stuff. There is a club down here in Florida but quite a ways from me unfortunately. I do think it would be fabulous fun and it just might be in my future.

[piedmontfields]

It looks like a complete load of fun and good training! If I had another life (time, different location), my LusitanoxTrak and I would be in…

[Ambitious_Kate]

My trainer was involved in getting this going in the US a few years ago. She takes a load of horses and students down to VA every year, and hosts some events at venues in CT also. She has lusitanos, and we’ve all loved it.

[Manni01]

my opinion… its a lot of fun and amazing to watch (the Florida group is very close to me and they host clinics with a very good portugese working equitation trainer. But its actually not easy and to me it looks like a horse should be at least at Prix St.George level in order to do it… So for me I think I stick with traditional dressage…

[CenteredRiding]

Brava!

[CenteredRiding]

Brava!

[Pocket_Pony]

Selling your dressage stuff…what kind of tack do they use?

[pluvinel]

[QUOTE=Manni01;8830140]
my opinion… its a lot of fun and amazing to watch (the Florida group is very close to me and they host clinics with a very good portugese working equitation trainer. But its actually not easy and to me it looks like a horse should be at least at Prix St.George level in order to do it… So for me I think I stick with traditional dressage…[/QUOTE]

PSG??? Not really…

If your horse can walk/trot…it can do the dressage phase.

If you can take your horse on the trail and it can open a gate and cross a wooden bridge, it can do the obstacles.

And if your horse is basically obedient, it can do the speed class.

https://www.facebook.com/178012728881941/photos/a.208356619180885.65637.178012728881941/208358212514059/?type=3&theater

[ToN_Farm]

[QUOTE=Manni01;8830140]
my opinion… its a lot of fun and amazing to watch (the Florida group is very close to me and they host clinics with a very good portugese working equitation trainer. But its actually not easy and to me it looks like a horse should be at least at Prix St.George level in order to do it.… So for me I think I stick with traditional dressage…[/QUOTE] My bolding. I would agree that if one has a large (17h or so) horse that is a big mover, that horse would need to be advanced in collection in order to negotiate the turns. Imo, this is a sport geared toward the more agile Pres and Lusitanos. Personally, I don’t feel any speed events are good for horses.

[rebecca_yount]

It can be done in dressage tack and attire, Western tack and attire, Portuguese, or Spanish–or any country’s traditional tack and attire actually according to the rules. There is a dressage test, an ease of handling phase, and a speed phase but the speed phase isn’t like barrel racing and is done in proper collection by those who know what they are doing. The videos you typically see are very high level international competitions. The lower levels start at walk-trot. Do not agree that this is the kind of “speed” event that is dangerous or damaging in any way, unless one is doing it wrong. ToN and Manni01 you should read and view more about it because I think you are misunderstanding how it works. Big horses can do it. Size of circles etc don’t matter as much as whether they are uniform. But yes, at high levels collection is needed. Friend me on FB and you can view a video of this past weekend and you will see.

[pluvinel]

[QUOTE=ToN Farm;8830455]
My bolding. I would agree that if one has a large (17h or so) horse that is a big mover, that horse would need to be advanced in collection in order to negotiate the turns. Imo, this is a sport geared toward the more agile Pres and Lusitanos. Personally, I don’t feel any speed events are good for horses.[/QUOTE]

Well that’s simple…then don’t enter the speed class.

But the other two phases are quite doable for a horse of any size. This year we had an Oldenburg mare win her class.

And because of the success of this mare, in 2017, ERAHC is going to offer a “High Point Award for Non-Iberian Horse”…which should be interesting because in 2017, Fresians are going to be included in the show.

[lorilu]

I recently attended a workshop here in Ocala with my trail horse-definitely NOT PSG level! We had a LOT of fun. The dressage tests begin at W/T level, and the obstacles- including the “speed” phase - also start at W/T level.

Ludie does not have “dressage” movement, being a very traditional small Luso - I think this is a perfect match for him. He is a worker bee type horse and here he has to pay attention to me (He sees the sidepass rail and thinks “I got this” and zooms over it… no, wait for me!!).

There will be WE competition at a Baroque (also open classes) show up at Canterbury in October. Seriously considering going!!

L

[MysticOakRanch]

[QUOTE=Manni01;8830140]
my opinion… its a lot of fun and amazing to watch (the Florida group is very close to me and they host clinics with a very good portugese working equitation trainer. But its actually not easy and to me it looks like a horse should be at least at Prix St.George level in order to do it… So for me I think I stick with traditional dressage…[/QUOTE]

It has “levels” just like dressage. So the stuff you see on YouTube is higher level, but you can go out and do low level work.

Personally, I think it looks like a blast, but agree, if you are going to move UP the levels to the more advanced speed and tests, you need a handy horse. I could see an Azteca doing REALLY well!

[pluvinel]

There seems to be a bit of misconceptions out there about what is required for WE, so here is a link to the rules…
https://nebula.wsimg.com/3de192c3b899d74cb209a2b749e94af2?AccessKeyId=92178509116CFB6A8FB7&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

Pls note that there are 6 competition levels:
L1: Level 1 – Introductory
L2: Level 2 – Novice
L3: Level 3 – Basic
L4: Level 4 – Intermediate
L5: Level 5 – Advanced
L6: Level 6 – National /International

The stuff you see Pedro Torres doing on Youtube is the stuff of top international level riders…WE is just starting out in the US and most riders are riding at Level 1 to Level 3 in the small local competitions.

For those who are just interested to try their hand, Level 1 just requires Walk-Trot in both the Dressage and Ease of Handling (EOH) phase…but if you’re really brave, you can try canter in the speed phase.

Here is a link with the descriptions of the obstacles…
https://nebula.wsimg.com/ed5ea7cd5f5b825e46ca6a690935b995?AccessKeyId=92178509116CFB6A8FB7&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

And a link to the dressage tests in use for WE.
https://nebula.wsimg.com/5678e5e27369f329d66346564ffc9f88?AccessKeyId=92178509116CFB6A8FB7&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

I cannot emphasize enough that any horse that can be safely taken out on a trail is capable of doing Working Equitation.

True, there are “techniques” for how to execute the obstacles…minutiae so that you get a good score. Like how to Open the Gate, or how to enter the Figure 8, how many revolutions around each (I once forgot to go around completely)…etc.

But if you trail ride your horse and want to show off its dressage training…WE is for you.

[Equibrit]

That’s great if you have an active organization in your area. I really wanted to try WE, but the local scene is terribel.

[rebecca_yount]

What pluvinel said. It’s really really good for them to get out of the sandbox. So even if you can’t trail ride yet, WE can help you get ready for it. It’s so important for their mind not to get stuck in the ring. And if the rider is a little scared, these activities frequently take place inside a ring anyway. I’m planning to support more WE activities around here, and we even have cows.

[lorilu]

Working Equitation USA: http://www.weiausa.com/

Not sure how this group is related to the group pluvinel posted.
WEUSA is the USEF National Affiliated Association- there was a USEF official at the clinic last month.

See 7.2
https://www.usef.org/documents/aboutus/committeeminutes/2012/execminutes022012.pdf

[Scribbler]

[QUOTE=rebecca yount;8830612]
It can be done in dressage tack and attire, Western tack and attire, Portuguese, or Spanish–or any country’s traditional tack and attire actually according to the rules. There is a dressage test, an ease of handling phase, and a speed phase but the speed phase isn’t like barrel racing and is done in proper collection by those who know what they are doing. The videos you typically see are very high level international competitions. The lower levels start at walk-trot. Do not agree that this is the kind of “speed” event that is dangerous or damaging in any way, unless one is doing it wrong. ToN and Manni01 you should read and view more about it because I think you are misunderstanding how it works. Big horses can do it. Size of circles etc don’t matter as much as whether they are uniform. But yes, at high levels collection is needed. Friend me on FB and you can view a video of this past weekend and you will see.[/QUOTE]

This. Like everything, there are levels in competition, and the spectacular videos on-line are from the top end! I’ve seen it at our local Andalusian show. It’s really cool. I rode mostly Western as a kid, was fascinated by reining, self-taught a bit to my pony, and love how Working Eq mixes both Western speed disciplines and dressage moves. IMO, more fun than “Western Dressage,” which seems to be more mixing a western pleasure rail class with dressage.

[pluvinel]

[QUOTE=lorilu;8830959]
Working Equitation USA: http://www.weiausa.com/

Not sure how this group is related to the group pluvinel posted.
WEUSA is the USEF National Affiliated Association- there was a USEF official at the clinic last month.

See 7.2
https://www.usef.org/documents/aboutus/committeeminutes/2012/execminutes022012.pdf[/QUOTE]

Ahhhh…good question.

I will try to answer with the disclaimer that I am just a lowly smurf who likes to ride WE and not in any way associated with, or in any way a decision-maker with any of the several WE equitation groups that are springing up in the US at the moment.

To grow the discipline, I am trying to encourage people to try a WE class, be aware of WE and be interested in WE.

The “mothership” of international regulation for Working Equitation is WAWE…World Association for Working Equitation.
http://www.wawe-official.com/index.asp

You will note that there is no US representative organization recognized by WAWE…irrespective of whether one organization is aligned with USEF.

As I understand…operative words here are “as I understand”…is that the WAWE is waiting for the US to converge one representative body.

ERAHC is the “Eastern Region Andalusian Horse Club”. It hosts is “Classic” show every Labor Day weekend at the Virginia Horse Center. It also hosts a USEF recognized Open Dressage show before a traditional USEF recognized breed show.

In recent years it has also been offering Working Equitation classes that are open to all breeds. The ERAHC show that the OP posted about had João Ralão Duarte as the WE judge.

Mr. João Ralão Duarte is the president of the WAWE Board of Directors
http://wawe-official.com/statutary-bodies
and the brother of Olympic rider Miguel Ralão Duarte.

The ERAHC show is a USEF sanctioned show and had a USEF official at the show.

As I understand, the regulations for the WE classes offered at the ERAHC show are trying to align with WAWE regs.

From a perspective of a competitor, the benefit of the WE classes offered at the ERAHC is that you don’t have to be a member of anything to participate in the WE classes.

You don’t have to be USEF member. Don’t have to be ERAHC member…just pay your entry fee and show up. So, if you want to play with “WE” and check things would without making big commitments and membership fees, the VA Horse Center in Sept. is a great venue.

I usually went to the Open Dressage show and one year decided to hang out and check out the WE class. We had never seen a stick in a barrel, or a pitcher on a table, but we survived.

The sport is young in general and just starting in the US, so it will take a while for things to sort out.