Working Equitation is open to all breeds and welcomes a variety of tack/attire, including working western, dressage, hunt seat, Australian stockhorse, Portuguese, Spanish and Charro. Working Equitation competitions include different trials in which horse/rider demonstrate their partnership, with points tallied across trials.
- ✶ Dressage Trial - horse and rider complete a set pattern and are scored on how well they perform each of the required movements, as well as on overall quality of the performance.
- ✶ Ease of Handling Trial - competitors demonstrate their ability to negotiate a variety of obstacles. Each obstacle is judged for quality as well as correctness. Collection, impulsion and regularity of gait all count.
- ✶ Speed Trial - competitors complete an obstacle course while being timed. Placings are based on how quickly the horse/rider team completes the course, with time added for course faults.
- ✶ Cow Trial - offered at team competitions only. Teams of 3-4 move cattle, one at a time, from a holding area, across the arena, and into a secondary pen. Like the Speed trial, Cattle Handling is a timed event.
See Rob and Captain Jack competing in Working Equitation Ease of Handling Phase - https://youtu.be/4bQJc7X14Kc
