Horse equitation workshop a success for local club
The relationship between a horse and a rider is one built on trust, body language, and training. A newer style of exercise, called working equitation, was offered in Meadow Lake this past weekend and several members of the Prairie n’ Forest (PnF) Equestrian Club took part.
The three-day session started Friday, July 6 at the legacy arena at the Meadow Lake stampede grounds, and wrapped up Sunday afternoon. Working equitation was originally created in Portugal, Spain and Germany, and was based on the traditional values of working in the field and handling cattle. This the second time the event was held in Meadow Lake.
The sport includes four components. The first is classical dressage – working the horse through movements like trots and turns and jumps. Then there is ease of handling, with obstacles typically found in the field such as gates, bridges, or branches. The third is working these exercises in a timed round, which tests the rider’s capabilities to maintain composure with the horse. The fourth element, which is less common in North America, involves sorting cattle in a team.
Interest in the sport is fast-growing in Canada, according to clinician and horse trainer Kim Jungman who facilitated this weekend’s class. She said working equation is a good test to see where strengths and weaknesses are in the relationship between horse and human.