Working Equitation Obstacle 101:
The Bridges and Pole
By Julie Alonzo
www.weunited.us
he obstacles used in Working Equitation’s Ease of Handling and Speed trials are intended to simulate those a horse/rider might encounter when working on the ranch. The connection is perhaps most obvious with the Bridge obstacle and perhaps least intuitive (for North American riders, anyway) in the obstacle collectively referred to as Retrieve a Pole/Skewer a Ring/Place a Pole.
The Ease of Handling test is also scored, with points for each obstacle ranging from 0 to 10, and collective marks also awarded. Some obstacles, such as Jumping Over Bales of Straw, and Sidestepping Over a Log are not performed at the Children’s or Introductory Level. The majority of obstacles, however, can be found at all levels. In Ease of Handling, greater complexity is introduced by requiring more challenging gaits within and between obstacles and increasing the expectations for how lead changes are performed as one moves up the levels.
The Speed trial is only performed by riders in Novice A and above. It’s important to note that there is no requirement that the Speed trial be done at a particular gait. In fact, it is quite common (and even advisable) for lower-level riders to perform their Speed trial at the trot to help maintain the horse’s relaxation around the obstacles.
Event organizers can opt to split classes in a variety of ways, such as offering Divisions for Amateur and Open riders. Although one might assume that Open riders have a significant advantage of Amateurs, the data does not appear to support this contention. On the contrary, analysis of scoring trends across all licensed 2017 working equitation competitions to date provides fairly convincing evidence that this is a sport in which Amateur riders can be quite competitive (see Table).
Intrigued yet? We sure hope so! To find out more about this great sport, please visit our website at: www.WEUnited.us.
26 / Sport and Trail Magazine
T
rider might encounter when working on the ranch. The connection is perhaps most obvious with the Bridge obstacle and perhaps least intuitive (for North American riders, anyway) in the obstacle collectively referred to as Retrieve a Pole/Skewer a Ring/Place a Pole.
For Working Equitation, the bridge should be solidly constructed of wood, with a non-slippery deck. A Working Equitation bridge may be arched or angled in its rise. The bridge should be at least five feet wide, thirteen feet long, and rising to a minimum height of eight inches. The bridge may have side rails between three and four feet in height. If side rails are used, for safety considerations the rails must be constructed such that they can be quickly and easily removed without the use of tools.
WE United member Stacey Peuplie, riding Quarter Horse Sharp Drezzed Man, demonstrate good form as she crosses the bridge while carrying the pole at a 2018 competition in Texas.
Photo Credit: Kellee Campbell, DVM