Working Equitation?

[FjordBCRF]

What is this greatness?? I just came across a video a friend shared and I have never seen or heard of this in the states. I’ve said for a long time that I wasn’t interested in showing again, but I was just telling my trainer at my last lesson that I would love to do something like refined trail and this is now our #goals. This looks epic, does anyone here do this or know more about the history and whether or not it is popular in the US? It looks like the US group WE United was formed in 2016 so relatively recent. All of the “trail” courses I did when I was younger were nothing close to this!

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-l8cBL8nN8

[Toblersmom]

I’m fascinated by this sport, too, but there aren’t any trainers close to where I am. I did get a chance to take a clinic and really enjoyed it.

[Scribbler]

Working Equitation has Spanish/ Portuguese roots, and in North America it’s big in the Andalusian and Lusitano world. An actual Working Equitation association just started in Canada last year, a lot of the people involved seem to have competed before that in the Andalusian breed show WE classes. It is really cool, I’ve seen it at the Andalusian show. But what a great little Fjord in the video!!!

[Training_Cupid]

I do it with my OTTB! We’ve done a few clinics and our first rated show this year where we were reserve champion in the Intro division! As if the dressage and trail hasn’t been fun enough, next month our local Region is hosting an Intro to Cattle clinic and may add that in next year’s series!

[blue_amp_blond]

That looks so fun! We’ve done something similar in “Play day” little shows but those obstacles were way more then we we did. Fun stuff! Good little horse!

[Equibrit]

Check this out; http://www.weunited.us/?fbclid=IwAR1…CaXWUuiEqUUNfA

The problem with WE was always the confusing array of small competing organizations. With any luck they will sort something out and come up with a National Governing Body.

[HPFarmette]

Makes me think of dog agility. And I love her turnout.

[Equibrit]

@blue&blond

That looks so fun! We’ve done something similar in “Play day” little shows but those obstacles were way more then we we did. Fun stuff! Good little horse!

Try this;
https://www.facebook.com/events/the-san-antonio-rose-palace/working-equitation-clinic/963091617372447/

[Training_Cupid]

@Equibrit

The problem with WE was always the confusing array of small dueling organizations. With any luck they will sort something out and come up with a National Governing Body.

There were 2 national organizations (WE United and the Confederation for Working Equitation) but they just recently joined together to form USA Workimg Equitation, which will now be the sole governing body in the US. World Association for Working Equitation governs the sport internationally.

[FjordBCRF]

Just googling it wasn’t incredibly straightforward. Hopefully having one governing body will help!

[Spudsmyguy]

Very appropriate background music - “Footloose”

[pony_baloney]

My trainer gives clinics in WE and has Lusitanos. She hasn’t done one recently due to Covid but has a Facebook page for riders in the NJ area:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Working-Equitation-New-Jersey-439743766464761/posts/?ref=page_internal

[sherian]

I’ve dabbled a bit and it’s a lot of fun - we have a local chapter here for the Canadian association. I think it will become quite popular in Canada with it being all style, all breeds so relatively low cost to get started - use the horse/tack/clothing you already have.

[lorilu]

becoming more popular here in N C Florida. Its really fun, and the horses seem to like the challenges. A local barn has occasional clinics, and there are a few trainers knowlegable about WE in the area.

[OTTBs]

Wow, that rider was going a lot faster than other WE videos I’ve seen.

Where in the Midwest is the OP? There are some clinics and shows near me. I was dismayed to see the cost for the shows is about the same as eventing. $225 for one day, $325 for the weekend. Though I think stabling is included, at least for the weekend.

[Sonesta]

Working Equitation is becoming very popular in the Houston area and there are a couple of venues that host international level competitions with some incredible competitors. I was so fascinated that we built a WE course at my dressage barn. We have now an international level trainer that comes out and trains and teaches lessons and we have hosted a couple of WE clinics. It’s so much fun. I highly recommend giving it a try.

[Malda]

@OTTBs

Wow, that rider was going a lot faster than other WE videos I’ve seen.

Where in the Midwest is the OP? There are some clinics and shows near me. I was dismayed to see the cost for the shows is about the same as eventing. $225 for one day, $325 for the weekend. Though I think stabling is included, at least for the weekend.

There seems to be two types of WE: timed and not timed. Here’s the not timed, “Working Equitation Ease of Handling trial”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SdGt8f2wJ4&ab_channel=JillBarron

I’d love to try the slower one, looks like fun.

[FjordBCRF]

@OTTBs

Wow, that rider was going a lot faster than other WE videos I’ve seen.

Where in the Midwest is the OP? There are some clinics and shows near me. I was dismayed to see the cost for the shows is about the same as eventing. $225 for one day, $325 for the weekend. Though I think stabling is included, at least for the weekend.

My boy is 3 (April baby) and we’ve just started dressage basics under saddle; long ways to go before thinking about showing. I got burnt out from showing and really have little desire to…but…I might consider something like this if it wasn’t too far away and Charlie enjoys it!

[sherian]

@Malda - its a multi phase competition, you do a dressage test, the ease of handling (judged obstacles) and speed (timed obstacles) and at the higher levels a cattle handling phase

[FjordBCRF]

@sherian Do you have to make certain scores to advance to the next phase?