This month, two of the top WE riders in the United States, Doreen Atkinson and Lisa Harding, share their thoughts on the sport. Both Doreen and Lisa have competed at at a variety of levels in the sport, including both the Advanced and Masters level.
Working Equitation United
Thoughts on the Sport
www.weunited.us
António Vicente, WAWE judge from Portugal, worked closely with the Judge Candidates throughout the week.
How did you get involved in WE?
Doreen Atkinson: I was competing at my first International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association (IALHA) National Show in Fort Worth, TX, on my ½ Lusitano gelding Obadi del Dios. I had entered dressage, a few rail classes and saw a class called Working Equitation. It consisted of three different phases, one was dressage, and so I entered the dressage phase, not knowing about the Ease of Handling. A clinic on EOH was offered at the show so I tried it and found my horse was a natural, and we had fun.
At the show, I won the dressage phase and was encouraged to enter the obstacle phase, where I finished 2nd overall. I was not yet familiar with the rules and was penalized for some of the obstacles performed incorrectly. This is how I became hooked on the sport, and I then researched the sport on YouTube and asked Julie Alonzo and Bruce W. Menke for more information. They guided me along the way, and I entered every show I could find (Pin Oak, the IALHA Nationals, and I even held a show at the ranch where I work in Waco, TX). I have worked up the levels of WE and won at each level. Now I am at the Masters level, where the Dressage phase is a freestyle with music, riding one handed to movements specified for the level.
Lisa Harding: I remember the first time I saw Working Equitation. It was a warm, sunny March day in Texas. I was meandering around the Great Southwest Equestrian Center enjoying all the diversity that the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show has to offer. From the Hunter Jumpers to the Saddlebreds, it is a smorgasbord of equestrian delight. One arena caught my eye in particular. I saw this magnificent horse and rider combo gliding around an arena full of obstacles. The music and the laughter of the spectators intrigued me even more. Watching for a while, I was hooked and aspired to learn everything I could about this new and exciting sport. I then was fortunate enough to have a close friend who facilitated my dream to purse Working Equitation. I competed at my very first WE competition in October of 2014.
How does WE compare to other disciplines you have done with your horses?
Doreen Atkinson: For years, I competed on 20-40 mile competitive trail rides, where horses are judged on condition, soundness, manners, and way of going while riders are judged on position, safety, and care of the horse on and off the trail. Obstacles are judged along the trail including hill work, crossing water, opening gates, backing around trees, dragging obstacles, and more. This is very similar to the EOH of WE.
I also train all my horses with the pyramid of dressage scale, of rhythm, relaxation, connection, impulsion, straightness, and collection. I have earned my USDF bronze and silver medal and am working on my gold. This training scale is useful in training a WE horse not only for the dressage phase, but also for the EOH and speed phase. It builds a strong, supple, collected, and obedient horse to ride in WE.
Lisa Harding: One of the most inspiring aspects of WE to me is the flexibility both rider and horse must possess. Physically yes, but even more so from the mental and emotional standpoint. WE is always causing me to look at things differently, to adapt, to make adjustments, and to be a thinking rider. While other equestrian sports have their own demands, I am drawn to the complexities within WE, and it has made my horses better in all areas.