There are a handful of organizations that are jockeying for recognition by WAWE.
Each group has their own tests and rules, which are pretty similar from what I’ve seen, but there are some differences. So be aware which group is organizing the event you plan on attending, so you get the correct tests and rules.
It’ll eventually work itself out. As was mentioned before, this is a new sport so they’re figuring it all out still.
This is one of the WE organizations out there…I’m sure there are others.
http://www.usawea.com
Again, I am not associated with or a member any of the WE organizations out there…I’m not even a member of USEF…I just pay non-member fee to show.
[QUOTE=pluvinel;8830416]
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.
My horse would love this as something else to do that also provides an audience (he’s a shameless show off 
).
Nice WE article here on page 38.
https://www.joomag.com/magazine/we-ride-sport-and-trail-magazine-september-2016/0576715001470757200
Even 17.2 Appys can do it too…
[QUOTE=FEIwannabe;8831534]
There are a handful of organizations that are jockeying for recognition by WAWE.
Each group has their own tests and rules, which are pretty similar from what I’ve seen, but there are some differences. So be aware which group is organizing the event you plan on attending, so you get the correct tests and rules.
It’ll eventually work itself out. As was mentioned before, this is a new sport so they’re figuring it all out still.[/QUOTE]
Agree 100%
[QUOTE=Pocket Pony;8830273]
Selling your dressage stuff…what kind of tack do they use?[/QUOTE]
Most of the classes I’ve seen use a Portuguese saddle and bridle with just a curb rein and of course Traditional Portuguese attire.
Someone correct me, at the lower levels are you allowed to use a regular (english style) dressage saddle?
Are there any levels that permit a snaffle bit to be used?
Ha! I listed my traditional Portuguese saddle and bridle on Ebay in July and it flew off the shelf with multiple bidders!! The buyer said she was getting into the Working Eq.
I still have my riding outfit available… 
OK now what I am seeing with Pluvinel’s links is that there is English and Western tack permitted in some divisions as well as the traditional Portuguese tack. Thats very cool and indeed opens it up to many who wish to try
If we had WE near my area I would totally go! My 17.3H BWP knows how to stand while I open a gate, go through it and pivot, then stand while I close it and latch the door. (He likes to help by pushing it with his nose but this is not allowed in comps :lol:)
He also walks over a wooden bridge, jumps small jumps, etc…
I think it would be a blast for him!
A friend has gone to a couple of clinics in our area. They sound like a blast and I can’t wait until my green bean is ready to give it a go. I will stick to dressage, with the occasional WE “field trip” though.
OMG I WANT TO TRY.
This is the first I’ve heard of it and it sounds like SO MUCH FUN.
If anyone has any contact in southern Ontario please let me know!
[QUOTE=belgianWBLuver;8833752]
Most of the classes I’ve seen use a Portuguese saddle and bridle with just a curb rein and of course Traditional Portuguese attire.
Someone correct me, at the lower levels are you allowed to use a regular (english style) dressage saddle?
Are there any levels that permit a snaffle bit to be used?
Ha! I listed my traditional Portuguese saddle and bridle on Ebay in July and it flew off the shelf with multiple bidders!! The buyer said she was getting into the Working Eq.
I still have my riding outfit available… :)[/QUOTE]
ERAHC has posted some new photos of a WE competition at the VA Horse Center…showing (gasp!) English/dressage tack.
https://www.facebook.com/Eastern-Region-Andalusian-Horse-Club-178012728881941/
So…in the continuing effort to dispel WE “myths”…at ALL LEVELS, in local or regional competitions you are allowed to ride in whatever tack is chosen…English, Western, Portuguese, Spanish…it just has to stay consistent from phase to phase.
Now…when you get “up there”…and are riding in Level 5 and Level 6 in National and International competitions, you have to ride in the tack of your country.
http://www.usawea.com/page-1268688
2.2.3 [U]National and International Working Equitation Association Competitions (May not be mandatory at National Breed Shows)
[/U]
One of the goals of working equitation is to preserve and perpetuate not only the type of equitation in each country but also the various traditions, riding attire, and tack that constitute part of the cultural tradition of each country. Traditional working horsemen in the United States fall under the umbrella term of American Cowboy; American cowboy tack and attire is the true traditional equipment of the working horseman of the United States. The image and terminology may vary significantly from region to region; all variations are recognized and allowed.
American cowboy tack and attire is required for L5 riders in national WE championship competitions and L6 riders in international competitions.
Check back in when you’re competing against Pedro Torres so we can make sure you’re fitted out correctly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5895K-Xjupk
For the rest of the folks…Pedro Torres is one of the word’s top WE riders…so Mr Torres has nothing to worry about me challenging him for a position on the podium.
I still haven’t figured out the rigging on a western saddle and don’t ask me to girth up a cinch on a western saddle…it’s that weird knot thing.
[QUOTE=pluvinel;8833827]
…
I still haven’t figured out the rigging on a western saddle and don’t ask me to girth up a cinch on a western saddle…it’s that weird knot thing.[/QUOTE]
I could totally see my cowboy trainer (who taught my boy how to behave himself out on the trails and in the desert) doing WE. He teaches babies of all different breeds to work gates, push cows, stand for several minutes, etc… They love it and develop confidence.
Its funny because the Arabian babies, who are usually so ancy are the most talented :lol:
are there videos of lower WE tests?? I am interested to see them. The clinics I saw were basic dressage and otherwise I only know Pedro Torres, who I admire…
Manni01, if you will friend me on Facebook you can see a video of me and my horse doing Level 1 (lowest level) this past weekend at Lexington. Also, to answer someone else’s question–YES, you can use a snaffle bit, a bitless bridle, but there are a few severe bits/apparatus that are not allowed. It’s all in the rules. You can use a snaffle at whatever level you want. You cannot, for example, use a twisted wire snaffle, though. You can use dressage tack and attire, hunter tack and attire, fox hunting tack and attire, Western tack and attire, and if you choose to use tack from the traditional equitation of another country, you have to use that country’s attire as well.
And YES it is a LOT of fun. There’s even a little jump (not at Level 1).
[QUOTE=rebecca yount;8834175]
Manni01, if you will friend me on Facebook you can see a video of me and my horse doing Level 1 (lowest level) this past weekend at Lexington. Also, to answer someone else’s question–YES, you can use a snaffle bit, a bitless bridle, but there are a few severe bits/apparatus that are not allowed. It’s all in the rules. You can use a snaffle at whatever level you want. You cannot, for example, use a twisted wire snaffle, though. You can use dressage tack and attire, hunter tack and attire, fox hunting tack and attire, Western tack and attire, and if you choose to use tack from the traditional equitation of another country, you have to use that country’s attire as well.
And YES it is a LOT of fun. There’s even a little jump (not at Level 1).[/QUOTE]
Thank you thats nice of you!! sent you a friends request
Regardless of tack that you use, dressage principals apply. Your horse should be ridden in appropriate level of collection and gaits are judged same usef (although honestly, the scoring is quite a bit more “kind” than dressage, from the scores I’ve seen).
In the upper levels there is a difference from dressage in the way the canter pirouettes are ridden. There are 2 different acceptable ways to ride them, one is Portuguese way and the other is the Spanish way. They are less steps and kinda swing around quickly, is the best way I can describe them.
The upper levels are ridden in walk and canter only, and one handed.
Also a single change is very important in the middle and upper levels. They are used in quite a few of the obstacles.
There is no piaffe or passage, no tempis, no real full on extensions (more like a bit more than mediums). There is a lot of collection (remember this was started by the Portuguese and the Spanish with Lusitano and P.R.E.s).
The lower levels are walk and trot. Some canter, as you start to move up.
Some obstacles are not used in the lower levels. They are added in the middle and upper levels. Some obstacles that are ridden in canter in the upper levels are ridden in trot or walk in the lower levels.
Cow work, is only for the upper levels, I believe. Also, cow work is done only as a team, I believe.
That’s what I can remember off the top of my head.
If you look up Working Equitation University on Vimeo, there are a ton of videos of tests and shorter clips of each of the moves.
You can use tack of your choice, as long as it all matches ie. Not a dressage saddle with a western bridle, nor a western saddle with dressage boots.
Bitless is also allowed.
Well…for anyone interested…Dressage and/or Working Equitation…start planning for next year at the ERAHC Classic!
August 31 thru Sept. 3, 2017
https://www.facebook.com/178012728881941/photos/a.216381318378415.69445.178012728881941/1411630082186860/?type=3&theater
The VA Horse Center is one of the best show venues out there. Great stabling. The ERAHC show is typically held in the East Complex, so you are under cover for most of the show.
ERAHC is the best kept little secret out there. It is a small club with a huge heart and puts on a major event made possible thru the efforts of its folks.
Best of all…they sure are a social crowd! They welcome everyone…Friday night is traditionally the progressive barn party…and Saturday night is their “exhibition” night. So if you want to show off your horse, come on over.
In 2016, Friday evening (before the barn party) we had a lecture on the morphology of the Spanish horse by Mercedes Gonzalez-Cort, a top Spanish rider and judge. And on Saturday, we had a lecture by Mr. João Ralão Duarte, Portuguese judge and president of WAWE, discussing the Lusitano conformation at various ages (from young horse to mature) and in contrast to warmbloods.
The 2017 dates are August 31-Sept.3. First is the Open Dressage Show. This is a “regular” USEF Recognized Dressage show. It takes place on Thursday, then the breed show starts on Friday-Sunday. The shows are two completely separate USEF Recognized competitions.
Working Equitation is typically held Friday-Saturday. First dressage, then the obstacles and speed.
Here is a link to the 2016 prize lists, ride times, etc…so you can see who’s who in the zoo.
https://www.erahc.org/shows-events.html
[QUOTE=rebecca yount;8834175]
Manni01, if you will friend me on Facebook you can see a video of me and my horse doing Level 1 (lowest level) this past weekend at Lexington. [/QUOTE]
I hope you don’t mind, but I also sent a friend request (from Jennifer Stout). I think my new mare would love this.
