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WORKING EQUITATION UK is a limited
company by guarantee (no. 7468182) and 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.
Membership of
Working Equitation UK (for both riders and
supporters) is now available on
an annual basis, starting January 1st. The 2011
membership form can be downloaded by clicking on
the red banner at the top of the home page.
Members receive reduced entry fees to Working
Equitation UK competitions and training days,
and regular email newsletters of all that is
happening in the world of working equitation.
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,
Great Britain, Mexico, Brazil, Belgium, Sweden,
Germany, USA, Czech Republic and Austria. The
sport is governed worldwide by WAWE (World
Association of Working Equitation). Working
Equitation UK is a founder member of WAWE. WAWE
rules govern all international competitions.
However each of the member countries has its own
particular working equitation body which sets
the rules for national competition. Currently
working equitation is recognized by the National
Equestrian Federations in Portugal, Italy,
Germany, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Brazil,
Mexico and France.
Working Equitation UK was set
up in Great Britain in 2000 to represent the
discipline in this country, to organise
competitions, encourage training and
participation and to "spread the word" about the
sport.
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. In 2007 the European Working
Equitation Championships were held at Hartpury
College, Glos, the first time the Championships
had been held in a non-Mediterranean country.
Portugal were once again European Champions; Gt
Britain were placed 4th. In 2008 the European
Championships took place in Arborea, Sardinia.
The senior team were placed 5th, and the junior
British team were placed 2nd. In 2009 the
European Championships moved back to Portugal.
In the town of Ponte de Lima, the British team
finally achieved their first Senior Championship
medals - they were placed 3rd overall. The most
recent European Championships were held in Citta
de Castello, Italy in September 2010 when
Portugal again retained their title.
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).
A team of Portuguese working equitation riders
gave displays at the Hickstead Derby/European Dressage Championships (August 2003) and Royal Windsor
Horse Shows (May 2004, May 2005 and May
2007).
There are various centres for working equitation around the UK
including BHS riding schools Pine Lodge School of Equitation (Norwich, Norfolk),
Meadow Brook Stables (nr Holbeach, Lincs),
Castleview Equestrian Centre (Carnforth,
Lancs) and Penn Llyn Classical Riding Centre (Gwynedd).
There are also several freelance
instructors around the UK offering
working equitation. Full details can be
seen on the Working Equitation Training
Centre page.
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