33 / Sport and Trail Magazine
Doreen Atkinson
Photo Credit: Bruce W. Menke, Working Equitation TX
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Lisa Harding
ASH (Sandhaven Shameless owned by Kellee Campbell
Photo by Patricia Ernesto
rider. All of the movements in the Dressage and Ease of Handling trials have scored marks, and the Speed trial is a true test of how quickly you can think and plan ahead, and a great indicator of how in tune you are with your horse. The word Dressage is intimidating to many, but I encourage newbies to break down the test according to where you and your horse are at, and most people find out, to their great surprise, that they will have a place to start from. All of a sudden that scary word becomes a little less so.
Lots of people can’t wait to play with the obstacles, which is the lifeblood of WE. I caution people to take their time and not rush into them. There are specific ways that the obstacles should be performed; knowing those is the first part. To prevent tension in the obstacles, it’s important to have that relationship with your horse before jumping in with both feet. If you’re wanting to desensitize your horse to them, use them as a cool down after working. Often times with young horses, or horses who have become tense I will just walk around the obstacles, asking nothing more from the horse then to be at ease.
What do you tell people new to the sport to help them understand WE?
Doreen Atkinson: It is a fun sport to test you and your horse as partners. It takes time and has different levels to train your horse and build a strong foundation. The dressage training is useful for this sport because the horse and rider communicate and become a solid partnership. EOH gives a purpose for the dressage, outside the dressage arena. Speed phase is an adrenaline rush. Once people try the sport, they become hooked and find it very challenging and enjoyable. The WE competitors are serious but also supportive of one another and are always willing to lend a hand if needed.
Lisa Harding: For those who are new to the sport I try to impress upon them that WE is more than just a score. The beauty of WE done well is the harmony between horse and rider. All of the movements in the Dressage and Ease of Handling trials have scored marks, and the Speed trial is a true test of how quickly you can think and plan ahead, and a great indicator of how in tune you are with your horse. The word Dressage is intimidating to many, but I encourage newbies to break down the test according to where you and your horse are at, and most people find out, to their great surprise, that they will have a place to start from. All of a sudden that scary word becomes a little less so.
Lots of people can’t wait to play with the obstacles, which is the lifeblood of WE. I caution people to take their time and not rush into them. There are specific ways that the obstacles should be performed; knowing those is the first part. To prevent tension in the obstacles, it’s important to have that relationship with your horse before jumping in with both feet. If you’re wanting to desensitize your horse to them, use them as a cool down after working. Often times with young horses, or horses who have become tense I will just walk around the obstacles, asking nothing more from the horse then to be at ease.