Iberosattel® SHOP Buy top riding accessories
Dressage, Cattle Work and More: What Disciplines Are There in Working Equitation?
Southern European working riding styles are characterised by a rich tradition of riding styles that specifically focus on certain techniques and skills. Working Equitation, as it is practised today, comprises four individual disciplines: Dressage, Style Trail (also called Dressage Trail or, in English, Maneability), Speed Trail and Cattle Work. In the introductory classes WE and WA, tournaments only test dressage and style trail. From the light class WL onwards, speed trail and cattle work are added.
Jump Directly to
Dressage: Also a Discipline at Working Equitation Tournaments
At first glance there are not many similarities between the elegance of a dressage freestyle ridden in white breeches and a dark jacket at Master Class level, and the practical, rather casual riding style of a mounted cattle herder. Nevertheless: the prerequisite for both is a perfectly gymnasticised horse.
Mastering Dressage: A Requirement for Working Equitation
Working Equitation Tournament: Horse and Rider on the Trail
For this reason, every Working Equitation tournament begins with a dressage test ridden to musical accompaniment, the structure of which – apart from the dress code – basically corresponds to that of a completely “normal” dressage tournament.
The movements tested are the same ones listed in the test sheet of the German Equestrian Federation (FN).
The German Working Equitation association publishes the dressage tests for performance classes WE to WS on its member portal every year: fixed combinations of various movements, whose difficulty increases with the class.
The movements tested are the same ones listed in the test sheet of the German Equestrian Federation (FN).
The German Working Equitation association publishes the dressage tests for performance classes WE to WS on its member portal every year: fixed combinations of various movements, whose difficulty increases with the class.
From Beginner to Master: Requirements for Horse and Rider by Performance Class
Each Working Equitation performance class comes with its own requirements:
- In the beginner classes, you and your horse must master riding in the basic gaits, transitions between gaits, the various arena figures and rein-back.
- From the intermediate classes onwards, only walk and canter are ridden. The gaits must also be ridden in collection, and movements such as counter-canter, half pirouette, turn on the haunches and leg-yield are added.
- In the master class, riders must show, among other things, flying changes in series, demanding tempo changes, travers and stops from the canter – all generally ridden one-handed.
Every Working Equitation tournament begins with a dressage test. — Anyone who wants to “work” must first master dressage.
Style Trail (Maneability)
Working Equitation Tournament: Horse and Rider on the Trail
The Style Trail discipline involves a number of obstacles that must be completed in a specific order and at set gaits. Here it is about applying what has been learned in dressage: gait changes, stops, rein-back, lateral movements, changes of direction and circles are combined in a demanding choreography dictated by the layout of the course. Each obstacle is scored individually.
The Working Equitation rulebook defines 17 obstacles, of which the tournament organiser selects 6 to 8 for the beginner classes, 8 to 14 for the intermediate classes, and at least 15 for the master class course.
The Working Equitation rulebook defines 17 obstacles, of which the tournament organiser selects 6 to 8 for the beginner classes, 8 to 14 for the intermediate classes, and at least 15 for the master class course.
Obstacles of the Style Trail From Performance Class E
- Two Barrels: A figure eight is ridden around two barrels set up as obstacles.
- Three Barrels: Three barrels arranged in a triangle must be ridden around, with two changes of direction.
- Bridge: The bridge, a maximum of 50 centimetres high, must be crossed at a walk.
- Simple Slalom: A straight row of poles must be ridden around in a serpentine line.
- Parallel Slalom: Two rows of poles set up parallel to each other must be ridden around in a serpentine line. The number and spacing of the poles vary with the performance class.
- Pen: A round enclosure with an entrance, with a smaller circle marked in the middle. The inner circle must be ridden around once.
- Bell Lane: Two poles form a lane, with a small bell attached at the end. The bell must be rung. Rider and horse enter the lane at a walk and ride back out in reverse.
- Jug: The rider must lift a jug standing on a table. The horse must stand still throughout.
- Moving the Cup: A cup must be moved between two poles while the horse stands still.
Additional Obstacles From Class A
Working Equitation Tournament: Horse and Rider on the Trail
- Gate: A locked gate must be approached, opened, ridden through and closed again.
- Jump: A jump over an obstacle up to 50 centimetres high is required here.
- Reverse Slalom: Two sets of three poles form a lane; the rider must ride straight into it and then ride back out in reverse in a slalom around the poles. In doing so, a cup must be moved from the last pole to the first.
- Sideways Over a Pole: The horse must move sideways along a slightly raised pole.
- Ring Spearing: The rider must pick up a pole stuck in a barrel, use it to spear a ring attached to a mock bull while riding past, and then put the pole, with the ring on it, back into a second barrel.
Additional Obstacles From Performance Class L
- Water Ditch: The horse must cross a shallow water ditch.
- Wall: A wall about 60 centimetres high must be crossed here.
- Gravel Bed/Tarpaulin: The horse must cross a gravel bed or a tarpaulin without hesitation.
Gait changes, rein-back, lateral movements – in the Style Trail, riders demonstrate their dressage skills on an obstacle course. — Up to 17 obstacles must be mastered in the Style Trail.
Speed Trail
Working Equitation Tournament: Horse and Rider on the Trail
In the Speed Trail, the obstacle course must be completed once again – but elegance matters less this time: now it’s a gallop through the course, and the fastest time wins.
Precision still matters, though: penalty seconds are added for obstacles ridden around incorrectly or knocked over. Bonus seconds are awarded if the ring spearing obstacle is completed successfully and the speared ring, together with the pole, lands correctly in the second barrel.
Precision still matters, though: penalty seconds are added for obstacles ridden around incorrectly or knocked over. Bonus seconds are awarded if the ring spearing obstacle is completed successfully and the speared ring, together with the pole, lands correctly in the second barrel.
Cattle Work
Working Equitation Tournament: Horse and Rider on the Trail
In Cattle Work, the aim is to separate a specific animal from the cattle herd – as quickly as possible. The cattle are numbered or colour-marked, and the assignment is made by drawing lots... so luck plays a bit of a role here too, since of course some cattle are quicker or more stubborn than others. Depending on the performance class, the animal to be separated must be driven over a specified line or into a pen.
But as mentioned: at Working Equitation tournaments, Cattle Work is only part of the test from the intermediate performance classes onwards – and tournaments without any cattle work at all are not uncommon either. So at least in Germany, it is quite possible to “work” without cows.
But as mentioned: at Working Equitation tournaments, Cattle Work is only part of the test from the intermediate performance classes onwards – and tournaments without any cattle work at all are not uncommon either. So at least in Germany, it is quite possible to “work” without cows.
The Cattle Work Discipline: A Bit Different in Germany Than Internationally
Internationally, cattle work at Working Equitation tournaments is ridden in teams of three or four, with each rider separating one animal from the herd. This can often be quite turbulent, and the stress for the cattle herd, which goes through this test many times in a row, is considerable. In Germany, cattle work is therefore tested individually only, for animal welfare reasons: one horse, one rider, one animal to be separated.
In principle, in order to compete in the cattle work test at a tournament in Germany, horse and rider must present the so-called cattle certificate. This document is issued by certified trainers of the German Working Equitation association, usually as part of so-called cattle courses, in which horse and rider acquire the skills needed for cattle work. The cattle certificate confirms that the horse has experience handling cattle and that the rider has theoretical knowledge and practical skill in moving cattle with as little stress as possible.
In principle, in order to compete in the cattle work test at a tournament in Germany, horse and rider must present the so-called cattle certificate. This document is issued by certified trainers of the German Working Equitation association, usually as part of so-called cattle courses, in which horse and rider acquire the skills needed for cattle work. The cattle certificate confirms that the horse has experience handling cattle and that the rider has theoretical knowledge and practical skill in moving cattle with as little stress as possible.
Anyone wanting to complete cattle work at a tournament in Germany needs a cattle certificate. — Animal welfare is taken very seriously in Germany.
What Customers Say About Our Working Equitation Saddles
Denise B. with Doma Classica
"What can I say, I was immediately so incredibly enthusiastic, because I could influence my horse using only my breathing.
The saddle was fitted to my Friesian and I had the option of choosing the colours of the leather, the stitching and a decorative seam. You can be endlessly creative that way!"
The saddle was fitted to my Friesian and I had the option of choosing the colours of the leather, the stitching and a decorative seam. You can be endlessly creative that way!"
Carina N. with Amazona Comfort
"Service, quality and the concept of the wide bearing surfaces convinced me completely. My Friesian moves noticeably more freely and relaxed with this saddle. I myself feel like I’m sitting closer to the horse; the small knee rolls give me enough freedom of movement for my legs, while the panels still make me feel securely framed."
Looking for the Right Saddle for Working Equitation?
Find your perfectly fitting saddle for Working Equitation. We are happy to visit you for advice and fitting. Write to us using our contact form or call us directly:
Hotline: 09179 / 964117
Everything About Working Equitation on Iberosattel.com
- What Is Working Equitation?
- History of Working Equitation
- Who Is Working Equitation Suitable For?
- Working Equitation Basics / Getting Started
- The Disciplines of Working Equitation
- Performance Classes in Working Equitation
- Which Horse Breeds Are Suited to Working Equitation?
- What Do You Need for Working Equitation?
- Which Saddle for Working Equitation?
- What Tournaments Are There in Working Equitation?
- Who Sets the Rules?
Soft, Wide Padding for Your Saddle
For wide horse backs: the Comfort Pad for your saddle
The Comfort Pad from Iberosattel® widens the bearing surface of your saddle and helps ensure that the rider’s weight is better distributed across your horse’s entire back.
This reduces pressure by up to 50%: an important plus for your horse’s health and comfort!
This reduces pressure by up to 50%: an important plus for your horse’s health and comfort!