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The sport of Working Equitation today is gaining is popularity. More and more equestrians are intrigued with the challenging, yet fun obstacles that characterize the 2nd and 3rd phases of competition in Working Equitation sport; Ease of Handling and Speed. In the Ease of Handling phase riders maneuver through the obstacle course with precision, and calmness. This requires significant dressage training along with confidence, willingness, suppleness and solid connection between horse and rider. In the speed phase, the team focuses on agility, adjustability, obedience and smart course lines to ride the obstacles against the clock.
During my stay with Bernardo Tavares, at the Tavares ranch in Alentejo Portugal I rode as a garrochista for 6 days. I worked the Alentejo cattle over rugged terrain herding them from vast expanses of cork treed fields into enclosures so the cattle could be vetted. I experienced and learned the cultural roots, from where the sport of Working Equitation originated. This gave me clarity for the reasons behind the Working Equitation obstacles. I've spent years learning to judge the sport, however field experience has given me insight about 'how and why 'each obstacle is judged the way it is.
Over the next few blog posts I will highlight some Working Equitation obstacles and the significance behind the judging criteria as it relates to the field work.
Today, I will discuss the Pen obstacle.
The pen obstacle in Working Equitation is a 6m volte, with an outer and inner barrier or fence. Often there is a centrepiece resembling an animal. The Pen obstacle relates to the working horse inside the field enclosures where cattle are sorted, moved through a chute and vetted. The horses inside these pens are allowed to interact with the cattle. They have a connection and natural instinct that helps calm the herd.
I will go through some of the judging criteria for the pen obstacle in Working Equitation and make connections to the significance associated with working the pen on an Iberian ranch.
Some of the criteria:
1) Gait: Walk or canter.
Both these gaits are allowed in the Pen in working equitation sport.
In the field horses only walk or canter. Both these gaits are fluid, and have a calming influence on the cattle.
2) Freedom: In the judging of the pen obstacle the horse is required to show freedom in the connection. The walk or canter needs to be obedient and supple, but not constricted in the contact.
In the sorting pen, the garrochista's horse interacts with the cattle using its own instincts. Often the horse's instinct is a faster reaction to movement or intentions of the cattle than the rider's reaction. Freedom to use its body, and head allows the horse to communicate with the cattle, especially young calves that might be upset at being temporarily separated from their mother.
3) Turns: Bending, and turns on the haunches or pirouette.
The tight enclosure of the pen in the working equitation sport, as well as in the field
requires the horse to be supple and bend. It requires the rider to have proper connection with the aids. Stiff horses that are not obedient to their aids are a safety concern inside this small space with a herd of cattle. Often the horse must move quickly to block, or cut out a cow. This requires lightness of the rider's aids, and the ability to bend and turn. The Iberian horse has a light shoulder and moves quickly off the haunches. In the Working Equitation Pen obstacle, suppleness and bend are required in the pen for the turn, inside and outside the pen. A turn on the haunches, and pirouette outside the pen will score higher than a half volte, as it demonstrates lightness of the shoulder, which allows the horse to move freely and quickly.
4) Balance: The Iberian horse is balanced on the haunches, where the power is available.
Shifting the balance to the haunches provides a strong, round back to support a rider for long day of work in the fields. Roundness is not aesthetic, it's functional. Round horses have strong backs. When a horse is hollow through the back, it creates stress. If the balance is on the shoulder, the back is weak. When the balance is on the shoulder, a horse is more likely to trip. Tripping is a serious fault in Working Equitation sport, resulting in a negative score. One reason for this is that if a horse trips, falls or loses its rider inside a pen, it can destabilize the herd, leaving other riders vulnerable. Garrochistas work in teams, not alone. Cattle, especially bulls, are likely to be more respectful when they see riders together rather than alone. Balance also ensures the smooth and rhythmic gaits, which have a calming influence on the cattle.
The judging criteria for the pen obstacle is derived from the way that the garrochista's horse needs to work in the pen. Here is an example of a horse using its freedom to interact with the livestock. Framboisa calmly tells the frightened little calf that it's ok to move ahead with the other calves. This 'horse to cow' communication is very natural and calming.
Let me know in the comments if you found this article useful!
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