WORKING EQUITATION UK is the official governing body in the UK responsible for the equestrian
    discipline called working equitation.

    The working equitation competition is divided into 3 phases which are designed to test horse and rider
    through a range of activities. It combines flatwork movements and obstacle tests, inviting horse and rider to
    deal with a number of obstacles similar to those encountered when riding and working in the fields. At
    international level a 4th phase is included in the competition-this comprises a cattle penning test. Overall, the
    competition aims to promote good horsemanship, and a level of submission and control of the horse.
    Working equitation can be enjoyed all year round, by riders and spectators alike, indoors or outdoors, and
    within the confines of an artificial surface riding arena.

    Working Equitation began as a competition in 1996 with the first European Championships taking place that
    year in Italy. It is now a recognized sport in France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Mexico and Brazil, having
    secured considerable following in each of these countries. Belgium and Sweden also have a growing
    number of riders interested in the sport. Working Equitation has its own governing body in each of the
    member countries: the Federation Française D’Equitation in France, the Real Federacion Hipica Espanola
    in Spain, the Associação Portuguesa de Criadores do Cavalo Pure Sangue Lusitano in Portugal, and the
    Federazione Italiana Sport Equestri in Italy. Working Equitation began in Great Britain in 2000. The UK
   competed internationally for the first time in October 2002, at the first World Working Equitation
   Championships – the team of 4 riders (the only female team at the Championships) achieved 6th place. In
   January 2005 the team competed at the European Championships in Bracciano, Italy, taking overall 4th
    position, and in September 2005, in Almonte, Spain 2 individual riders from Working Equitation UK
    competed against the other European countries. The 2nd World Working Equitation Championships took
    place in Portugal on October 27th-29th 2006 - Great Britain were placed overall 6th.

   Every year several competitions and demonstrations take place around the UK. In the past, Working
    Equitation UK have organised high profile demonstrations at the following events, to bring the public’s
    attention to the discipline : HORSE 2001 (an equestrian day run by HORSE magazine at Solihull RC), 2
    consecutive years (2001 & 2002) at Equus (major equestrian event at London Docklands), and more
    recently the visit of a team of Portuguese working equitation riders to give displays at the Hickstead
    Derby/European Dressage Championships (August 2003) and Royal Windsor Horse Show (May 2004 &
    May 2005). Several members of the Portuguese Working Equitation Team (current World Champions) will
    again give displays at the 2007 Royal Windsor Horse Show, May 10th – 13th.

    There are various centres for working equitation around the UK eg. BHS riding schools Pine Lodge School
    of Equitation (Norwich, Norfolk), Turville Valley Stud (Henley, Oxon) and Penn Llyn Classical Riding
    Centre (Gwynedd) are a few of the main venues that offer lessons and run training courses.