By Julie Alonzo
I
CONTINUED >>
With 1163 total competition rides logged (compared to 791 in 2017 and 482 in 2016), the 2018 WE United Working Equitation season is done and dusted.
We would like to take a moment to recognize the National #1 Horse/Rider pairs in the sport.
Children's Level
Four children competed in the Children’s Level classes in official WE Competitions in 2018. This level is open to young riders age 8-14 and included a dressage and ease of handling trial, both of which are performed at walk/trot.
2018 #1 Children’s Level Horse/Rider Pair
Pecos Bill, an 8-year-old pony gelding, ridden by Maddie Harding of Texas
Introductory Level
A total of 194 horse/rider pairs competed at the Introductory level in 2018. This level is open to youth as well as adults and includes a dressage and ease of handling trial, both of which are performed at walk/trot.
2018 #1 Introductory Level Horse/Rider Pair
Boon Ocean Blue, a five-year-old Quarter Horse mare ridden by Kris Blacklock of Wisconsin
Novice A Level
A total of 143 horse/rider pairs competed at the Novice A level in 2018. This level is open to youth as well as adults and includes all three working equitation trials (dressage, ease of handling, and speed). At this level, riders perform the obstacles at a trot, but canter between obstacles in ease of handling.
2018 #1 Novice A Level Horse/Rider Pair
Lark of Honor Bright, a 15-year-old Friesian stallion owned by Aimee Ziller and ridden by Bryan Ludens of California.
Novice B Level
A total of 26 horse/rider pairs competed at the Novice B level in 2018. This level is open to riders of all ages and includes all three working equitation trials (dressage, ease of handling, and speed). At this level, riders perform the obstacles at a canter, with lead changes performed through the trot.
2018 #1 Novice B Level Horse/Rider Pair
Delirio DC, a 10-year-old Lusitano gelding owned and ridden by Ashley Smith of Oregon.
Intermediate A Level
A total of 51 horse/rider pairs competed at the Intermediate A level in 2018. This level is open to riders of all ages and includes all three working equitation trials (dressage, ease of handling, and speed). At this level, riders perform the obstacles at a canter, with lead changes performed through the walk. We had a tie for the top spot in our Intermediate A level this year.
2018 #1 Intermediate A Level Horse/Rider Pair (tie)
Driftin Juniper, a 15-year-old Quarter Horse gelding owned and ridden by Jill Lovelace of Oregon.
CDC Memoria, a 9-year-old Andalusian mare owned and ridden by Julie Alonzo of Oregon.
Intermediate B Level
A total of 30 horse/rider pairs competed at the Intermediate B level in 2018. This level is open to riders of all ages and includes all three working equitation trials (dressage, ease of handling, and speed). At this level, riders perform the obstacles at a canter, with flying lead change.
2018 #1 Intermediate B Level Horse/Rider Pair
Cielo da Cartuxa, an 11-year-old Lusitano owned by Marilyn Hite of Sierra Nevada Lusitanos and ridden by Carlos Carneiro (California/Portugal).
Advanced Level
Only two horse/rider pairs competed at the Advanced level in 2018. This level is open to riders of all ages and includes all three working equitation trials (dressage, ease of handling, and speed). At this level, riders perform the obstacles at a canter, with flying lead change. They must use only one hand on the reins throughout the competition.
2018 #1 Advanced Level Horse/Rider Pair
Andiamo 2005, a 13-year-old Lusitano stallion owned by George Domb and ridden by Carlos Carneiro (California/Portugal).
Masters Level
Six horse/rider pairs competed at the Masters level in 2018. This level is the level used for International Championship competitions. It is open to riders of all ages and includes all three working equitation trials (dressage, ease of handling, and speed). At this level, riders perform the obstacles at a canter, with flying lead change. They must use only one hand on the reins throughout the competition, and their dressage test is a musical freestyle of sorts.
2018 #1 Masters Level Horse/Rider Pair
Verdilhao, a 16-year-old Lusitano stallion owned by Marilyn Hite of Sierra Nevada Lusitanos and ridden by Carlos Carneiro (California/Portugal).
A complete listing of the Top 10 National and Regional Award winners can be found at:
http://www.weunited.us/performance-awards/2018-leaderboard/
n October, WE United celebrated the inaugural running of the Southwest Classic, an A-Rated Working Equitation Show judged by Wayne Hipsley, S, Kentucky and Polly Limond, R, California at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX.
2018 Year-End Standings WE United