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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),
Arley Moss Riding Centre (Northwich,
Cheshire), Meadow Brook Stables (nr
Holbeach, Lincs), 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.
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