Phases
Phase 1: Working Dressage
Riders showcase the partnership and their level of training in a working dressage test conducted on a 40 x 20 metre dressage arena.
Phase 2 & 3: Ease Of Handling (EOH)
Riders negotiate a course of obstacles which replicate what they would encounter doing farm or stock work, or out on a ride. Phase 2 features manoeuvrability while phase 3 is a showcase of speed.
Phase 4: Cattle Phase
Working Equitation features a unique cattle event which is something of a cross between cutting, drafting and team yarding. Riders work as a team of 4 to showcase the versatility of their working horse.
Grading For Competition SNAPSHOT
Training Level 1: Introductory - ANWEL Rule Book 10.1
Competitor Level 3: Preliminary - - ANWEL Rule Book 10.3
Training Level 1: Introductory - ANWEL Rule Book 10.1
- The purpose in all phases is to introduce new riders/combinations to working equitation competition in an inviting and educational atmosphere.
- Introductory Level is to be ridden with two hands on the reins apart from where obstacle instructions specify otherwise, and in walk and trot (sitting/rising or combination of both).
- Progressive transitions are encouraged (transitions into and out of the halt may be made through the walk).
- While the horse does not have to be on the bit or round in the top line, the horse should show acceptance of the connection from the leg to the elastic hand without undue resistance.
- The walk and trot should be energetic and ground covering but without losing balance.
- Any age rider may compete at this level.
- The horse must be 3 years of age or over.
- The Dressage test is walk and trot.
- Assisted riders – ANWEL encourages the development of beginner riders by allowing (at the discretion of the Event Organiser, and by prior approval) a support person in the arena to assist riders in Introductory Level. No assisted rider shall place above an unassisted rider.
- Ease of Handling (EOH) is trot with walk transitions. Any canter strides will be penalised, and more than 3 full canter strides will incur elimination.
- There is no Speed phase for this Level. Clubs may at their discretion run a second Ease of Handling (EOH) phase.
- There is no Cattle phase for this Level.
- Organisers may elect for Introductory Level Ease of Handling (EOH) phase to precede the Dressage phase in the draw.
Training Level 2: Preparatory - ANWEL Rule Book 10.2
Competitor Level 3: Preliminary - - ANWEL Rule Book 10.3
Training Level 1: Introductory - ANWEL Rule Book 10.1
- Purpose in all phases is to test the correct training of the Preparatory working equitation horse.
- This Level has been introduced for horses who are ready to execute some canter but are not ready to canter a full course.
- It is recommended that the Ease of Handling (EOH) phase course directives include some obstacles (or lines between) in canter and the remainder of the course in trot (refer Appendix II).
- To be ridden with two hands on the reins apart from where obstacle instructions specify otherwise and in sitting or rising trot (may be a combination of both).
- Transitions up and down MAY be progressive (canter-trot-walk) or canter-walk transitions.
- The horse should be in acceptance of the connection from the leg to an elastic hand showing a round outline.
- The walk, trot and canter should be energetic and ground covering but without losing balance.
- In the Speed phase any and all gaits, transitions or changes are acceptable.
- Horse must be 4 years of age or over.
- Dressage is walk, trot and canter.
- Ease of Handling (EOH) is trot but must have clear directives for canter or walk.
Competitor Level 3: Preliminary - - ANWEL Rule Book 10.3
Competitor Level 3: Preliminary - - ANWEL Rule Book 10.3
Competitor Level 3: Preliminary - - ANWEL Rule Book 10.3
- The purpose in all phases is to test the correct training of the Preliminary Level working equitation horse.
- To be ridden with two hands on the reins apart from where obstacle instructions specify otherwise and in sitting or rising trot.
- Transitions up and down MAY be progressive (through walk or trot) with the aim of the combination working towards walkcanter, canter-walk transitions in preparation for the next level, Debutante W.
- The horse should be in acceptance of the connection from the leg to an elastic hand showing a round outline.
- The walk, trot and canter should be energetic and ground covering but without losing balance.
- In the Speed phase any and all gaits, transitions or changes are acceptable.
- Horse must be 4 years of age or over.
- Dressage is walk, trot and canter.
- Ease of Handling (EOH) phase is canter, with progressive or walk changes and transitions.
Competitor Level 4: Debutante W - ANWEL Rule Book 10.4
Competitor Level 4: Debutante W - ANWEL Rule Book 10.4
Competitor Level 3: Preliminary - - ANWEL Rule Book 10.3
- The purpose in all phases is to test the correct progression of the horse's training at Debutant W Level and to introduce lateral work, walk through changes and counter canter.
- To be ridden with two hands on the reins apart from where obstacle instructions specify otherwise and in sitting or rising trot.
- The horse should now be reliably in acceptance of the aids, with more engagement and with a rounded and more uphill balance in the working gaits than at Preliminary level.
- In the Speed phase any and all gaits, transitions or changes are acceptable.
- Horses must be 4 years of age or older.
- Dressage is walk, trot (sitting unless stated otherwise) and canter.
- Ease of Handling (EOH) phase is canter with walk changes and transitions, any trot steps will be penalised.
Competitor Level 5: Debutante F - ANWEl Rule Book 10.5
Competitor Level 4: Debutante W - ANWEL Rule Book 10.4
Competitor Level 6: Consagrados 2 - ANWEl Rule Book 10.6
- The purpose in all phases is to test the correct progression of the training at Debutante F Level and to introduce flying changes.
- To be ridden with two hands on the reins apart from where obstacle instructions specify otherwise.
- The horse now accepts and responds readily to the aids of the rider.
- This level has greater levels of engagement and collection than at Debutante W Level.
- In the speed phase any and all gaits, transitions or changes are acceptable.
- Horses must be 5 years of age or older.
- Dressage is walk, sitting trot and canter.
- Ease of Handling (EOH) phase is canter with flying changes and walk transitions, any trot steps will be penalised.
Competitor Level 6: Consagrados 2 - ANWEl Rule Book 10.6
Competitor Level 4: Debutante W - ANWEL Rule Book 10.4
Competitor Level 6: Consagrados 2 - ANWEl Rule Book 10.6
- Purpose in all phases is to test the correct progression of training at Consagrados 2 Level.
- The horse now accepts and responds readily to the aids of the rider.
- To be ridden with two hands on the reins apart from where obstacle instructions specify otherwise.
- This level has greater degree of engagement and collection than at Debutant F.
- In the Speed phase any and all gaits, transitions or changes are acceptable.
- Horses must be 6 years of age and older.
- Dressage phase is walk, sitting trot and canter.
- Ease of Handling (EOH) is canter with flying changes and walk transitions, any trot steps will be penalised.
Competitor Level 7: Consagrados 1 - ANWEl Rule Book 10.7
Competitor Level 7: Consagrados 1 - ANWEl Rule Book 10.7
Competitor Level 7: Consagrados 1 - ANWEl Rule Book 10.7
- Purpose in all phases is to test the correct progression of training at Consagrados 1 Level and to test the consistency and balance of the Consagrados 1 Level horse.
- The horse now accepts and responds readily to the aids of the rider, is in a consistent balance and is ridden with one hand.
- In the speed phase any and all gaits, transitions or changes are acceptable.
- Horses must be 6 years of age and older.
- Dressage phase is walk, sitting trot and canter.
- Ease of Handling (EOH) phases is canter with flying changes and walk transitions, any trot steps will be penalised.
- The reins will be held in one hand for the duration of the test, however momentary adjustment of the reins is permitted. Momentary adjustment may be made with the free hand behind the rein hand only.
- Using two hands on the reins (apart from a momentary adjustment) will incur elimination.
- The whip, if carried is NOT allowed to be used, and MUST be carried in an upright position. In the warmup arena the whip may be carried and used normally.
Competitor Level 8: Masters - ANWEl Rule Book 10.8
Competitor Level 7: Consagrados 1 - ANWEl Rule Book 10.7
Competitor Level 7: Consagrados 1 - ANWEl Rule Book 10.7
- The purpose in all phases is to test the correct training of the Masters Level horse, resulting in physical and mental soundness.
- The horse is now at the highest level and is showing the result of correct and progressive training and quality riding.
- The horse is on the aids and is in a consistent balance, showing softness and roundness.to be ridden with one hand.
- In the Speed phase any and all gaits, transitions or changes are acceptable.
- Horses must be 6 years of age or older.
- Dressage phase is walk, sitting trot and canter.
- Ease of Handling (EOH) phase is canter with flying changes and walk transitions, any trot steps will be penalised.
- The reins will be held in one hand for the duration of the test, however momentary adjustment of the reins is permitted. Momentary adjustment can be made with the free hand behind the rein hand only.
- Using two hands on the reins (apart from a momentary adjustment) will incur elimination.
- The whip, if carried is NOT allowed to be used, and MUST be carried in an upright position.