Working Equitation welcomes every horse – part dressage, part obstacle course, all excitement, and possibly the most inclusive equestrian sport
While The Sass Queen is always up for a challenge, turning her hoof to most things with great enthusiasm, there is one discipline she genuinely begrudges: dressage. Our points for relaxation and harmony are not usually high (because life is so much more fun when you can do everything at speed, right?). In fact, if we stay within the white boards, I’m taking that as a win.
All images: Joe Gros
If this sounds familiar – or perhaps you’ve got a dressage diva but you’d like to try something different – then Working Equitation could well be the answer.
Lynne Macleod started competing in the sport ten years ago, and her accolades include competing at the World Championships in France in 2022 and being on the British Working Equitation development squad.
‘The competitions reward the partnership and harmony between horse and rider,’ Lynne says. They consist of three phases: dressage, ease of handling and the speed round. ‘Different obstacles emulate the terrain that horses encounter while out working in the field or on ranches. It’s basically crossing bridges or opening gates, but with a bit more flair!’
The phases
The dressage phase is much like your typical competition format: control, precision, harmony, collection and relaxation, with scores out of 10 for each movement. Unlike traditional dressage, it’s always in a 20×40 arena, whatever the level. There is only one test per level, with callers allowed at regional competitions – making it perfect for the slightly nervous or more forgetful riders (of which I am most definitely the latter. A, turn up the centre line … and was it track right or left at C?). Additional collective marks are given for turnout which, in the UK, is described as “traditional hunting attire” – plaited horses, tweed jacket, beige breeches, plain-coloured saddle-shaped numnah.
The next phase, ease of handling, is ‘dressage but with stuff in the way,’ as Lynne puts it. ‘There is a set course, with different obstacles you have to tackle while maintaining composure. Scoring is out of 10 for precision, submission and ease of movement. At the advanced levels, riders are expected to perform flying changes in specific places for particular obstacles, and movements are performed using only one hand.’
The speed round is not just The Sass Queen’s personal favourite –even Lynne calls it ‘the fun bit’. You’re completing the obstacle course against the clock – but for every obstacle you knock or complete incorrectly you get ten points added to your time.
Depending on the venue, cattle handling can be an additional phase, with riders working alongside their team to cut their cow away from the herd, get it over the line and into the pen. Having lived on a farm and terrorised a couple of bulls over the years, I feel that The Sass Queen would excel at this! However, Lynne advises this is very much not American rodeo, and that the animal’s welfare is always at the forefront.
‘A common misconception is that Working Equitation is like handy pony or mounted games for adults, she says. ‘But it’s so much harder! It is quite easy to get eliminated and everyone does at some point. But unlike other equestrian sports, it doesn’t rule you out of completing the other phases of the competition. You can also be placed against other riders who have been eliminated.
‘I’d definitely advise anyone wanting to give it a go to purchase the rule book first …’
Having had a go at a training competition held at Kingston Maurward College a few months ago, I can attest to the rules being quite particular: the gate must be opened and closed with your right hand, and you cannot enter the zone of an obstacle you have not yet completed.
‘You don’t make the same mistake twice. though,’ says Lynne, who once drove four hours to Norfolk for a competition, just to get eliminated for using the wrong hand at the gate. ‘One thing I love is that there is always a phase which your horse will excel at, and another that you’ll need to work a bit more on. It’s a level playing field.’
One thing I’ve noticed from watching a few clinics and competitions is that you also get all types of horses, from Warmbloods to Icelandics – and everything in between. ‘It’s a common misconception that you need an Iberian or a Lusitano to compete,’ says Lynne. ‘It’s very inclusive and there is always such a sense of camaraderie. National competitions are a bit like a stay-away Pony Club party, with everyone getting behind you during the speed round. The roar of 3,000 people willing us on at Westpoint was such an amazing experience!
Unlike other affiliated disciplines, you move up through the levels when you feel ready to. Regional competitions are one day, and the points you gain count towards the national league. Once you’ve started competing at a certain level you can’t then move down a level, unless you achieve a particularly low score. Working Equitation is also one of the only disciplines where you can compete in a bitless bridle throughout, and any FEI legal bit is allowed, so long as you keep the same tack in each phase.
‘It’s great to see that Pony Club’s are also getting more involved,’ says Lynne. ‘Kids seem to find working equitation really engaging – it takes away what they sometimes feel as the “boring” element of dressage, and mixes it with something fun that they really have to concentrate on.’
I can fully sympathise with this: as a young rider I just wanted to go fast and have fun. The idea of poncing around the arena getting my left and rights mixed up always filled me with dread! ‘It’s also great for kids who perhaps don’t have ponies that are at the level to make Pony Club teams: working equitation is very accessible, and any breed of horse can excel at it.’
Lynne advises if you’re wanting to dip your toe into the waters to take a look at the Association of British Working Equitation website where there’s lots of helpful information, ranging from contacts for local instructors to upcoming clinics and competitions, including a clinic held at Kingston Maurward College on 6th August, and a regional competition there on 16th August. Who knows, maybe I’ll see some of you there while I’m trying to persuade The Sass Queen that she really does love dressage after all, and only has to hold it together for a few minutes until we can get to the fun bit!
The Association for British Working Equitation abweofficial.co.uk
16th August Kingston Maurward event details
