PSA: Working Equitation in the US

Posting this for information for those folks interested in growing the discipline of Working Equitation.

As some of you may be aware, WAWE (World Association for Working Equitation) is the international body representing Working Equitation throughout the world.
http://www.wawe-official.com

As you can see in the link above, currently the US has not be recognized by WAWE. The message below explains some of the reason why.

I encourage the folks who want WE to flourish in the US to request their respective organizations to come together to develop a common, single protocol which WAWE is willing to recognize so that the US may become a fully participating member of WAWE.

AN APPEAL FOR A COOPERATIVE EFFORT
http://workingequitation.today

Dear Working Equitation Enthusiast,

The evolution of Working Equitation (WE) in the United States has been thwarted over the last several years due to factors that may have been important at one time but are no longer pertinent to enthusiasts of the sport. This is a great time to put old issues behind us and move forward in a positive direction.
You are invited to voice your support for a “Cooperative Effort” among the three leading WE organizations toward the following goals:

In 2017 one rule book employed by the three organizations; WEIAUSA, USFWE and WE United as well as for those clubs and chapters that are created as affiliates of these fine organizations. One rule book will benefit riders as well as judges and go a long way toward the U.S. being offered an opportunity to compete in Working Equitation in future world championship shows.

o Dressage tests which are uniform and which are the only WE dressage tests employed in shows and competitions, regardless of the organization hosting the event.
o Continuity among the “levels” used within the rules.
o Competition Regions that are the same among the three organizations.

And near future goals of:

  • Judges, Technical Delegate and trainer instruction that is accepted across the three organizations.
  • A process for the selection of a National Championship and team, and U.S. riders for international competitions.

There is no reason to change the three primary organizations and how they can do business or change their entities. This concept simply means the existing organizations are considered equals and each has a unique and important contribution that will benefit the future of the sport in the U.S.

  • WEIAUSA is an LLC, and is responsible for a lot of the enthusiasm of WE in the USA. The management of WEIAUSA is encouraged to continue to do business, host shows, educate judges, and maintain affiliates and memberships as has been done to date. All Working Equitation riders in the U.S. should appreciate the significant contribution to our sport that WEIAUSA and the owners have made. The concept of a Cooperative Effort does not necessarily change how WEIAUSA is expected to conduct its organization or business.
  • USFWE is a 501C3 non-profit umbrella Corporation with state and regional organizations, and clubs. The USFWE has a judging certification program, a wealth of knowledge of the sport and a structure that encourages building ridership through state and local clubs and affiliates. The concept of a Cooperative Effort does not necessarily change how USFWE is expected to conduct its business.
  • WE United is a 501C3 non-profit Corporation that has rapidly moved forward with an enthusiastic membership base and a significant presence through hosting educational clinics and offering sanctioned shows. WE United is primarily a membership driven organization, but they will likely have local and state chapters as well. The concept of a Cooperative Effort does not necessarily change how WE United is expected to conduct its business.

Working Equitation needs all of these organizations, as well as their affiliates, for the sport to prosper. Because the U.S. is such a large country with many equestrian activities competing for attention, the WE community needs these organizations to work together for the sport to prosper. There will be greater opportunities for all when this is achieved.
YOU can make a difference in three ways:

[LIST=1]

  • This is an election year for the Board of Directors of our non-profit groups. Both the USFWE and WE United are having elections in the next few weeks. YOU, the Working Equitation enthusiasts and members of these organizations are encouraged to cast your ballot for candidates who state IN WRITING they are in favor of a cooperative effort to move Working Equitation to the next level.
  • Show your support by forwarding this email to the following addresses: [EMAIL="info@WEIAUSA.com"]info@WEIAUSA.com[/EMAIL], [EMAIL="USFWEO@gmail.com"]USFWEO@gmail.com[/EMAIL], [EMAIL="WorkingEquitationUnited@gmail.com"]WorkingEquitationUnited@gmail.com[/EMAIL], [EMAIL="WorkingEquitationToday@gmail.com"]WorkingEquitationToday@gmail.com[/EMAIL] and title the email, "I support a Cooperative WE community!" If you wish, offer a brief description of your thoughts.
  • Forward this email to all of your Working Equitation friends asking them to support this effort as well. [/LIST]

    Thank you. Together we can make a difference!

  • I’m missing how it has been thwarted. Is that due to USEF politics?

    [QUOTE=Velvet;8876768]
    I’m missing how it has been thwarted. Is that due to USEF politics?[/QUOTE]

    As they say…“It’s complicated.”

    Better to focus on the solutions and moving forward, than dwell on the past.

    There is a lot of information in the workingequitationtoday link.

    Not really. This would be sidestepping an issue that could later be addressed, once the sport gets stronger support in the US via less formal standards, etc. I get sick and tired of these groups wanting to make the sport in all countries the same. It’s not like it’s an Olympic sport. If it gets to the point where people are going international (not likely here, not for a looooong time at least) then maybe think about having a governing body. To start with, let it flourish in it’s own way here in the states and see what happens. It could morph into something that more American would participate in if it’s allowed to be modified a bit. Right now the only interest seems to be with lower level, adult ammies. No harm in making is more like schooling shows to get the interest going. And no reason to not let them have their own tests and rules to get it started.

    [QUOTE=Velvet;8876837]
    Not really. This would be sidestepping an issue that could later be addressed, once the sport gets stronger support in the US via less formal standards, etc. I get sick and tired of these groups wanting to make the sport in all countries the same. It’s not like it’s an Olympic sport. If it gets to the point where people are going international (not likely here, not for a looooong time at least) then maybe think about having a governing body. To start with, let it flourish in it’s own way here in the states and see what happens. It could morph into something that more American would participate in if it’s allowed to be modified a bit. Right now the only interest seems to be with lower level, adult ammies. No harm in making is more like schooling shows to get the interest going. And no reason to not let them have their own tests and rules to get it started.[/QUOTE]

    That’s forward thinking for you ! It pays to be well informed before posting.

    May I suggest following Steven Covey’s advice…

    Seek first to understand before asking to be understood.”

    As I said before it is complicated…

    Then explain. There’s no explanation in your OP. Stating that it’s complicated really doesn’t mean anything. That could easily be interpreted to mean that one o many of the parties involved is not compromising, had unrealistic expectations, is money hungry, or just ignorant. A statement as vague as the one you’ve posted, and your follow up replies, makes it look shady.

    [QUOTE=Velvet;8876768]
    I’m missing how it has been thwarted. Is that due to USEF politics?[/QUOTE]

    I am by no means completely informed, but my take on what little I have read is that in the earliest days, they had a couple of different strong personalities with strong opinions on how things should be done, coming into conflict and going in different directions.

    But I could be completely wrong. :slight_smile:

    See, that helps at least keep the mind from wandering off in more awful directions. Like lawsuits, etc. (Which the vague language makes me wonder about. :slight_smile: )

    [QUOTE=Velvet;8876893]
    See, that helps at least keep the mind from wandering o"ff in more awful directions. Like lawsuits, etc. (Which the vague language makes me wonder about. :slight_smile: )[/QUOTE]

    And why do you care? As a famous etiquette teacher said…“if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all.”

    Or as Samuel Clemens more eloquently put it…"[I]Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt."

    [/I]

    can you post a link to what working equitation looks like?

    [QUOTE=arabiansrock;8876921]
    can you post a link to what working equitation looks like?[/QUOTE]

    Pedro Torres and Oxidado…one of the top advanced international WE riders
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5895K-Xjupk

    If you want more info, the Working Equitation Magazine link has lots of info.

    Gee, pluvy, you’re really helping your cause with all those quotes.

    Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Samuel Clemens :lol:

    I’m sorry, if you were right, I’d agree with you. - Robin Williams

    If you could kick the person in the pants that is most responsible for your trouble, you wouldn’t sit down for a month. - Theodore Roosevelt

    I’ve been intrigued by WE for a while. It seems to me that joining up with the western dressage movement might help build some momentum and attract people who are looking to get away from the stuffiness of straight dressage.

    [QUOTE=pluvinel;8876749]
    Posting this for information for those folks interested in growing the discipline of Working Equitation.

    As some of you may be aware, WAWE (World Association for Working Equitation) is the international body representing Working Equitation throughout the world.
    http://www.wawe-official.com

    As you can see in the link above, currently the US has not be recognized by WAWE. The message below explains some of the reason why.

    I encourage the folks who want WE to flourish in the US to request their respective organizations to come together to develop a common, single protocol which WAWE is willing to recognize so that the US may become a fully participating member of WAWE.

    AN APPEAL FOR A COOPERATIVE EFFORT
    http://workingequitation.today[/QUOTE]

    Interesting the article mentions WE United. But not USAWEA, which has been instrumental on the west coast, and the only association to host a cattle phase,among other things.

    [QUOTE=NoSuchPerson;8876886]
    I am by no means completely informed, but my take on what little I have read is that in the earliest days, they had a couple of different strong personalities with strong opinions on how things should be done, coming into conflict and going in different directions.

    But I could be completely wrong. :)[/QUOTE]

    Nope, you are right on, and the issue is still as bad as ever.

    Hopefully things are headed in a better direction now that the three organizations have agreed to meet by the end of November.

    Not sure why, in those situations, it has to be that they all need to come together. Maybe it should be that the strongest survives. :wink:

    You might not want the strongest, just sayin’…

    [QUOTE=outerbanks77;8877370]
    I’ve been intrigued by WE for a while. It seems to me that joining up with the western dressage movement might help build some momentum and attract people who are looking to get away from the stuffiness of straight dressage.[/QUOTE]

    My first thought was “Oh… please don’t…”

    I can’t see the benefits of adding speed events until WD matures to the point that it not longer allows really stupid stuff like showing in a leverage bit with two hands. And, frankly, the folks who have historically done the most to promote WD are there because they want an easy-riding horse and something to do with it that’s more than the divisions and ways of going offered by their breed shows (the Morgans and AQHA showing). I don’t see these people wanting to be obligated to learn ride well enough to produce horses that do more advanced stuff with speed in a way that’s not taking some big training short cuts.

    I know this post is sure to offend. If I’m wrong about something, I’ll accept correction. But if what I say is true, don’t criticize the point of view.

    [QUOTE=outerbanks77;8877370]
    I’ve been intrigued by WE for a while. It seems to me that joining up with the western dressage movement might help build some momentum and attract people who are looking to get away from the stuffiness of straight dressage.[/QUOTE]

    Sorry but I really disagree. I think the foundations of WE are more closely related to “traditional” dressage than those of WD… and I AM a supporter of WD…