2013 ERAHC VA Classic Horse show Working Equitation "EOH"

Working Equitation

W.E. Second Phase "Ease Of Handling" (EOH) On Labor day weekend 2013 Carbon and I had the opportunity to drive up to Lexington Virginia from North Carolina to attend the Eastern Region Andalusian Horse Club's (ERAHC) annual Classic horse breed show. You may ask why would I take a Quarter Horse to an Andalusian breed show? The answer is simple, to compete in Working Equitation. Right now, WE is relatively a new sport here in the USA and most participants are Iberian horse breed shows. Yes, Carbon and I enjoyed riding with all those fancy Iberian horses. We are very thankful that this was an open opportunity class, meaning any type of breed was welcome to come and play WE. As you can see in the video below, this is the second phase (EOH) of Working Equitation. If you missed the first phase (Dressage), here is the link to see the video. What attracted me to this new sport, is that this is the practical application of Western Dressage. This is the whole reason we do this. I find that a lot of Dressage folks forget why Classical training was first used. WE was founded on Classical principles which requires riding one handed to use the free hand to work cows or fight wars. Western Dressage was based on the same principles of teaching a western ranch horse to be guided by one hand while performing ranch duties. WE is the European equivalent of an American working ranch horse. If you are now doing Western Dressage, this is the next step in your evolution. On a side note, we had the opportunity meet the president of the World Association of Working Equitation (WAWE) from Portugal "Joao Ralao Durarte". What a great learning opportunity and treat that was.. Keep your eye out for obstacle #3 "livestock pen" Carbon was not sure about that little toy horse sitting in there. You will see him give the toy horse the eye. Note: None of the horses had ever seen these obstacles until they entered the arena. Remember that this is the second of three phases in Working Equitation; so keep an eye out for the last one (Speed). This test was level 4 under USFWE rules and test. If you are unfamiliar with Working Equitation, Here is a link to a little more information about WE. We would like to give a special thanks to Carol Havelka... Videographer and let's not forget: Bruce Harbin... Photographer Jeane Bond... show committee Wayne Hipsley... Judge Joao Ralao Duarte... co-judge from Portugal USFWE.... Rules/tests USAWEA...Membership ERAHC... Show Org.