Roots: Working Equitation Obstacles The Gate

The sport of Working Equitation is gaining is popularity all around the globe. Challenging, yet fun obstacles characterize the 2nd and 3rd phases of competition: Ease of Handling and Speed. In Ease of Handling riders maneuver through the obstacles with precision, and calmness. In the speed phase, adjustability, obedience, speed and smart course lines are the tasks .

During my stay with Bernardo Tavares, at the Tavares ranch in Alentejo Portugal I rode as a garrochista for 6 days. I experienced and learned the cultural roots of Working Equitation. This gave me a unique view of obstacles, adding to my knowledge as a judge; 'the how and why ' behind the judging criteria.

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 sport and field work.

Today, I will discuss the Gate

The gate obstacle in Working Equitation is either a solid gate or rope gate. In the speed phase the gate is rope. It is an obstacle required at the beginning levels. As such it is important to learn the steps, and start exposing the horse early. In my opinion it is an obstacle that requires a lot of training and finesse, however, it teaches vital skills that are often ignored. Turns on the forehand, and haunches, reversing in small measured steps help develop lightness of aids, suppleness and control. Rider and horse must be very connected within the language of the aids in order to open and close the gate correctly.

I will go through some of the judging criteria for the gate obstacle in Working Equitation and make connections to the significance associated with working the pen on an Iberian ranch.

Some of the criteria:

1) Approach the gate perpendicular.

2) Transition to walk approximately one horse length from gate.

From trot (L1) or canter (L2+) a transition to walk is required approximately one stride away from the gate. The least amount of intermediate steps is desired. This shows balance and obedience.

3) Turn on the forehand when arrived at the gate

The horse is required to do a turn on the forehand at the gate and halt in position for three seconds before touching the latch.

4) Halt - parallel with the gate in good position to latch. Wait 3 seconds before touching the gate

5) Moving through the gate

There are actually four ways to move through the gate. We can pull or push the gate. We can travel forwards or backwards through the gate. It's very important to know a forward and a backward execution because depending where the latch is, you may be required to travel forward or reverse. Moving through the gate the rider should demonstrate the horse's responsiveness to all the aids; forward backward, turning the haunches and shoulder, and lateral steps. The horse should remain calm, yet obedient. The gate should open only enough so that the horse can go through easily, and not too wide or out of control. Moving through the gate should not require excessive steps nor excessive time.The horse should not interfere with the gate. Attention and flexion of the horse should be toward the gate.

In the field working cattle there are many gates. Some gates are used to access grazing pastures while other gates are used inside the pens which hold the livestock. The smaller gates might be opened and closed by one garrochista. The bigger gates, like this one inside the pen enclosure, might take two garrochistas; one will hold the cattle back, the other will execute the gate.

The gate obstacle in the sport of Working Equitation as in the field, is a test of lightness off the aids, obedience and rider effectiveness. There is simply no way I would have been able to close this heavy gate if Framboisa was not obedient to all her aids; forward, reverse, lateral, calm and willing.

Framboisa closes the gate after the herd has been sorted. A second garrochista keeps the herd secure while Framboisa and I work to close the gait.

Let me know in the comments if you found this article useful.

Reach out if you would like help teaching your horse to do the Gate obstacle!