By Julie Alonzo,
WE United President Elect
22 / Sport and Trail Magazine
W
ell-known for the diversity of horses and riders that are drawn to its allure, working equitation is a sport that rewards versatility of horse and rider. The sport’s four phases (Dressage, Ease of Handling, Speed, and Cattle) require complementary but different skills. ver the past two days, a bit different than my weekday routine comprised mainly of computer work. What I’m feeling more than anything else, however, is the deep sense of contentment that comes from seeing first hand the improvements in the partnerships the sport fosters between horses and their riders.
Working Equitation
Versatility of the Sport
complementary but different skills.
True working equitation champions display the ability to work in harmony within the tight constraints of a 20 x 40 meter short dressage court. They demonstrate the aptitude to negotiate obstacles that require them to perform numerous transitions up and down, to make symmetrical circles of varying diameters, to stand square and immobile while their rider opens gates, rings bells, and raises objects above shoulder-height, to rein back and sidestep, all with relaxation and proper engagement through the back.
Perhaps most impressive, though, is the fact that the best working equitation mounts can go from performing the obstacles quietly and with no resistance in the Ease of Handling trial to zipping through them quickly in the Speed trial. These same horses and riders, in competitions where the Cattle trial is offered, must subsequently show that they are able to move quietly and confidently into a herd of cattle, sort out their designated beast, and cut it away from the others and into a holding pen at the far side of the arena – all within the allotted three minutes.
Quarter Horse CD Patty Pep and Wendy Deans earned some of the highest marks in the Ease of Handling trial on both days at the Big Sky Horse Park. Here, they are showing very good technique in the Sidestep Pole obstacle.
Photo by Montana Magic Photography.