At Barguse we offer riders the opportunity to try the discipline of Working Equitation.
What is Working Equitation?
“This sport is the ultimate outcome of the development of the horse as a working animal.” (Taken from Working Equitation GB site)
Horses were originally domesticated and trained for farming and herding purposes, work which required them to respond to their rider whatever terrain and difficulties they may face. The sport is a highly refined and sophisticated demonstration of these activities, but with the added required quality of elegance and speed of execution.
It comprises 3 phases. Dressage, Ease of handling, Speed and at International level, Cattle penning.
The dressage phase is much like that of a normal dressage test although some of the movements are performed slightly differently. At the highest level it involves some Grand Prix movements being performed with the use of just one hand.
The ease of handling test consists of a course of obstacles, replicating those that may be found when working in the countryside. Eg; a gate, a bridge and a jump. There are also other more technical obstacles such as the parallel slalom, straight slalom and barrels all of which at Advanced level require the horse and rider to perform flying in specific places in order to perform the obstacle correctly. Riders are given a mark out of ten for precision, submission and ease of movement for each obstacle.
The speed test involves some or all of the same obstacles tackled in the ease of handling test but is purely marked on the time it takes for the horse and rider to complete the course. Time faults and bonuses can occur according to specific obstacles.
Working Equitation is a real test of the horses temperament and training, the riders skill and ability and of course the relationship between horse and rider.
We offer both riding school pupils and private horse owners the opportunity to learn about this fantastic sport and have the various obstacles and equipment that you would meet in competition to hone your skills on including Pedro our very own bull!! (don’t worry he is wooden not real!!) So whether you want to learn for fun or hope to compete, please give us a call to find out available sessions and costs.
Working Equitation images courtesy of Fleur Churchill.