WORKING EQUITATION UK     

Join Working Equitation UK now - click here to download membership form

Photographs of the 2010 European Working Equitation Championships in Citta de Castello, Italy

Working Equitation DVDs For Sale - Re-live the 2007 European Championships at Hartpury College, Glos

   
 
 

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.

                  

 

 
 

  

WORKING EQUITATION UK would like to thank

EQUUSSPHERE

for their sponsorship of the splendid red team gilets

worn by the British Working Equitation Team at the

2009 European Working Equitation Championships

Ponte de Lima, Portugal.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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