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Several young people have also been building a serious following in the sport. Madison Waller, who competes in Working Equitation on both her Lusitano Diablo DC and her Welsh pony Rollingwoods Double Stuff, helped introduce thousands to the sport at the 2016 BreyerFest event in Lexington, Kentucky. She is also a regular at Working Equitation competitions in her home state of Texas. Madison finished the 2016 Competition season at the top of the National standings for Junior riders at the Introductory level.
Brothers Samuel and Tristan Cruden of Oregon found the motivation to get serious about improving their riding when they began to get involved in Working Equitation. “I like the challenge of it, and knowing that there is so much more to learn,” explained Samuel. “Yes, and the people are so great,” his younger brother Tristan chimed in. This past year, the two of them competed on their family’s Quarter Horse mares in Oregon, Washington, and Utah, and finished the 2016 competition season with Samuel in 2nd place and Tristan in third 3rd place in the National standings for Junior riders at the Novice level.
Although the rules require competitors to have reached their 8th birthday before they can enter official classes, several competition organizers have started to offer Leadline exhibition classes when there is sufficient interest in their area.
“It’s a way to get the whole family involved,” explains Oregon member Karin Hansen. “At our last show, we had two tiny girls riding ponies in the
Kay Johnson
We United ©
Violet Eastwood and Natalie Thill
Photo by Chesna Klimek
Samuel Cruden
Photo by Alexandra Crippen
Tristan Cruden
Photo by Alexandra Crippen