DESCRIPTION OF THE WORKING EQUITATION COMPETITION

    Working Equitation has 3 levels in the UK – Novice, Intermediate and Advanced (International).

    All the levels have 3 sections in the competition – a dressage test, an obstacle course judged on style, and an obstacles course
    ridden against the clock.

    At Novice level, simple changes at canter are required. At Intermediate level flying changes are compulsory, and at Advanced
    level, the whole competition must be ridden with the reins in one hand – the left hand.      

q       STAGE 1 – THE FLATWORK TEST

             Riders are given a series of dressage movements that must be ridden as a freestyle test within a 20m x 40m arena. There
             is a set order for the movements and the test must be ridden within a given time limit.

            Click here to download the 2008 Novice, Intermediate and Advanced level Flatwork Tests

q       STAGE 2  – THE OBSTACLE COURSE – JUDGED ON STYLE

    
Riders are required to ride around a series of obstacles at canter and walk, as specified. The obstacle course is designed to show the rider’s ability to control the horse’s paces, and to display the empathy and trust between horse and rider. Obstacles include a small jump, riding around barrels with a change of rein, opening a gate, walking over a wooden bridge, slalom poles, rein back exercises

q       STAGE 3 – THE OBSTACLE COURSE – SPEED SECTION  

     As above but ridden against the clock. Click here for the obstacle description.

  q       SCORING

          In the flatwork test, marks will be awarded for the execution of each movement. Collective marks are awarded at the
          end of the test. The obstacles, in the style section, are marked individually, with collective marks at the end. A
          combination of these sets of marks, together with the time in the speed section, will declare the winner.

q       DRESS CODE

       Competitors will be required to wear beige/white jodhpurs, tweed/black or navy jacket with a stock or tie, long boots
       or short boots, gloves and a current standard riding hat.