We recently had the pleasure of photographing an equestrian event in the sun-drenched town of Someren. Despite the warm weather, the participants showcased incredible speed, agility, and ease. It was a true privilege to capture the energy and excitement of this fantastic sport.
Congratulations to M. Timmermans, the Dutch champion, and V. Dubois, the overall winner!
We hope you love the photos as much as we enjoyed capturing them. Do you want to learn more about what Working Equitation is? Read more about it in this blog!
Working Equitation is a dynamic and versatile discipline within equestrian sports, deeply rooted in the traditional cattle-working practices of Southern Europe. Originating from countries such as Portugal, France, Italy, and Spain, it has evolved into a respected competitive sport with a global following. In Working Equitation, riders and horses showcase their skills through a series of tests that blend classical dressage with practical, obstacle-based challenges.
A Blend of Tradition and Modern Competition
The essence of Working Equitation lies in its heritage. Originally developed for practical cattle work, the discipline retains strong ties to its traditional roots. Riders and horses must exhibit a solid foundation in dressage to handle various tasks effectively. This includes being light on the aids, agile, and confident. For instance, when working with cattle, a gentle cue should suffice; if you need to repeat your request multiple times, the cattle might already have escaped.
At the highest level of competition (Masters), riders are required to complete all tests using only one hand, underscoring the importance of teamwork and trust between horse and rider. Training often involves practicing with Working Equitation (WE) obstacles, where manoeuvres such as turns, quarter turns, and more advanced exercises like changes and pirouettes are practiced in a fun yet disciplined manner.
Competition Structure
A typical Working Equitation competition is comprised of four distinct phases:
- Dressage Test: This phase assesses the horse's training and the rider’s ability to execute a set series of movements. It emphasizes classical dressage skills and precision.
- Style Trail: Riders navigate an obstacle course designed to test their horse’s agility and responsiveness. The focus here is on style and correctness.
- Speed Trail: This phase involves the same obstacle course as the Style Trail but is timed, adding an element of speed and efficiency to the test.
- Cattle Herding: In this final phase, riders demonstrate their ability to manage cattle, showcasing the practical skills developed through the discipline.
Novice competitors typically start with the Dressage Test and Style Trail. As the horse’s training advances, they can progress to include the Speed Trail and Cattle Herding components.
Working Equitation not only challenges riders and horses but also celebrates the rich traditions of equestrian work. It’s a sport that blends classical training with practical skills, making it both a competitive and rewarding pursuit
Source: Working Equitation Holland