Featured Article (February 2009)

Working Equitation Clinic in Virginia!at Capriole Farm in Catlett, VA
By Sarah Vogeley

Attention fellow horse people: Looking for something new, exciting, and challenging for you and your horse?   Well, mark your calendars for April 4 & 5, 2009  the upcoming clinic at Capriole Farm in Catlett, Virginia, presented by Kimberly Garvis, on the sport of Working Equitation, which is presently making its way to the United States and Canada!

         Currently a little-known discipline in North America, Working Equitation competition is divided into three phases which are designed to test through a range of activities. It combines flatwork movements and obstacle tests, inviting horse and rider to negotiate a number of obstacles similar to those encountered when riding and working in the fields. At the international level, a fourth phase is included in the competition which comprises a team cattle penning trial. Overall, the competition aims to promote good horsemanship, and a level of submission and control of the horse in a variety of situations one might encounter.

         Working Equitation began as a competition in Italy in 1995, and the first European Championships with three participating nations was held just one year later. It is now a recognized discipline in France, England, Germany, Sweden, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Mexico, and Brazil, and has become quite popular, drawing the attention of both accomplished horse persons, and enthusiastic spectators alike. Competition is open to all breeds and wide range of riding skill.

         To see an example of Working Equitation in action, visit the U-Tube link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZAYPy_CQkQ) of Kimberly Garvis while competing in Brazil!  Kimberly has recently returned to Virginia from a 7 year stay in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where she worked as an Elementary Education Teacher. During her stay, Kimberly became involved in the sport of Working Equitation and competed and trained with world level dressage and working equitation riders. She has returned to the United States with a strong working knowledge of the sport, as well as a dedicated passion to develop the sport here in North America. The USEF already has preliminary rules and regulations in place, which will be finalized within the next year.  Classes have already been held at the Eastern Region Andalusian Horse Club show at the Virginia Horse Center over the past two years.

Join us in welcoming this fantastic discipline to the United States and Canada!   Feel free to contact me with questions regarding the clinic, and all information will be posted on my website under “Working Equitation”, as it becomes available. Hope to see you at Capriole Farms in Catlett, VA www.capriolefarms.com