Working Equitation

The sport for everyone

JOÃO RALÃO DUARTE is the Secretary of the Lusitano Breeders Association and President of the World Association of Working Equitation. As an inspector for the Lusitano breed, he travels around the world every two years assessing mares and stallions for inclusion in the Lusitano Stud Book.

At the end of his latest inspections in NZ and Australia, he held a Question and Answer session with Australian National Working Equitation (WA) to share his wealth of knowledge and passion for Working Equitation.

What is Working Equitation?

The development of Working Equitation originating from field related jobs into an equine sport of four phases.

• Dressage (in a 40x20m arena). The Dressage tests are progressive and each level develops the horse’s strength and gymnastic ability, testing the rider’s technical correctness while preparing the horse and rider for the obstacle phase.

• The second phase is Ease of Handling. This is a course of obstacles demonstrating the horse’s manoeuvrability, balance, obedience, trust and braveness. Many of the obstacles are drawn directly from field tasks such as: passing through a gate, going over a bridge, jumping over a straw bale, halting next to a table to drink a glass of water (lift a jug) and negotiating a stock pen. It is judged on how fluently the horse moves around the course (navigation), as well as the style and correctness of the movements within the obstacles.

• The third phase is Speed. The course covers similar or the same obstacles as Ease of Handling but is completed at the fastest speed with no score for style or navigation.

* The fourth phase is cattle work, which involves cutting out a steer and moving it into a designated pen or yard. This is a team phase and an optional phase for some competitions. The final championship result is determined by the total of all points for the three phases and if there is a tie, the horse and rider combination with the highest dressage score will be the winner.

At the very highest level of Working Equitation the gaits used are walk and canter, not trot. The movements are generally pirouettes, half passes and flying changes. At the lowest level (Training Division), Introductory horse and rider start with walk and trot.

Rules of the Australian National Working Equitation are clear and include horse welfare, correct equipment and navigation of obstacles. Failure to follow any of the rules results in elimination from that phase.. Failure to follow any of the rules results in disqualification for that section. Elimination in one phase does not eliminate you from the entire competition, only from that one phase. Riders can continue to compete in the remaining phases and have their scores in those phases included in the overall placings. It sometimes makes for a pleasantly surprising result.

Attire

Rider attire can be either National Working Equitation, state or club attire or traditional English, traditional working western or typical breed attire. This flexibility allows for an easy transfer from other disciplines without having to change to special equipment as any type of saddle or bridle can be used (some exceptions), whether English, western, baroque or vaquero (Spanish type) or Australian Stock Horse equipment. Horse and rider combinations must wear the same attire or equipment throughout all phases. Equipment and attire may be changed for the cattle phase as long as it is approved tack.

Versatility

João noted that the mix of dressage, or the classical way of riding using the obstacles and cattle work, means riders can develop a very versatile horse. There are riders who don’t want to do just traditional dressage or who may be doing dressage but want to still play and be happy. Or event riders who may not want to compete but are still looking for a bit of a thrill. With their transferable skills they find they can compete at a high level in Working Equitation.

The World Association of Working Equitation (WAWE) was created in 2003 to agree on all the obstacles and establish one set of rules. There are now 21 countries involved with each country developing at different rates. Working Equitation is now recognised around the world and the future of WE as a super discipline with versatile riders, balanced horses and consistent judges looks bright.

As Working Equitation has spread; João noted that the countries with a tradition of working cattle on horseback found it easier to adapt to the Working Equitation concept.

The CULTURE of the COUNTRY

Working Equitation is unusual as a worldwide equine sport in that it specifically includes the culture of the country in which it operates. Each country can incorporate its own working horse equipment such as the bit and the saddle that they normally use in their work. He says it is important that it shows different ways of riding horses, different cultures, which is very interesting for the spectators.

In Australia, the flexibility of the sport allows easily for a transfer from other disciplines without having to change to special equipment. Generally, any type of saddle or bridle is allowed including the Australian stock saddle and bridle as well as most bitless bridles, treeless saddles, traditional English or Western saddles and bridles. Baroque and Vaquero saddlery and attire is also popular amongst Working Equitation riders.

Judging Different Breeds

João was asked how he judges the different horse breeds that are used in the sport around the world, especially with the differences in breed conformation and movement, given that they are generally not as expressive as the Iberian horses mostly used in Europe.

He commented that we cannot judge by the horses’ breed as there are all kinds of breeds that compete. He considers the balance (conformation) and the horse’s natural way of going, which is completely different for each breed. However, the movement of the horse and its gaits must still be correct. He reminds us that Working Equitation originated with a Gaucho in the field and then was brought to the arena for competition and it is in that spirit that the event should be judged - the way the movements are performed and not because of the breed.

Working Equitation is a sport where dressage, eventers and working horses can easily transition their skills where they don’t have to start at the beginning and can come into the sport at a level that acknowledges their skill and continues to build versatility, flexibility and longevity.

Recreational and Adult Riders enjoy the versatility and low impact of the sport and young horses develop confidence and calmness through the phases and levels.

There are clubs around Australia that offer monthly instructional rallies, Training Days and Competitions. All are affiliated with the national body - Australian National Working Equitation who provide administration and the rules.

www.dilutesaustralia.net