USA Working Equitation

the national organization for Working equitation in the USA

Fostering a Supportive Community of Riders and Building a Strong Future for the Sport
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Rules & Dressage Tests

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About the Sport

Dressage Trial

The first of the Working Equitation trials is the Dressage trial. During this trial, the horse and rider ride a pattern of movements prescribed by the official test for their level. WE dressage tests are performed in a 20 x 40 meter “short court”. The judge scores each movement on a scale of 0-10, and provides Collective Marks at the conclusion of the test for gaits, impulsion, submission, rider and presentation.

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Ease of Handling

Ease of Handling (EOH) is the second trial comprising a Working Equitation competition. The EOH trial is required at all performance levels–Introductory, Novice A/B, Intermediate A/B, Advanced, and Masters.

As with the Dressage trial, the judge scores each obstacle on a scale of 0-10 and also provides Collective Marks for transitions/navigation, gaits, impulsion, submission, and rider.

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Speed Trial

The third trial in a  Working Equitation competition is the Speed trial. This is a test of a horse and rider’s ability to navigate obstacles with accuracy as quickly as possible. It is thrilling to watch!

The Speed trial is first encountered by horse/rider pairs competing at the Novice A level. Riders soon learn that precision in the obstacles, coupled with strategic course lines, translate to winning speed rounds.  

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Cattle Trial

During the Cattle trial, a team of three or four riders work together as each rider separates a designated cow from the herd and moves it across the enclosure to a holding pen.

The Cattle trial is not always offered at WE competitions, but it is a crowd and competitor favorite when it is available. Riders use the same tack/attire for this trial as they did for Dressage, EOH, and Speed.

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About the Organization

USAWE is a non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Colorado and  federally recognized in October 2021 as a 501(c)(3) organization (see IRS approval letter here).

USAWE was formed in 2020, when WE United and the Confederation for Working Equitation consolidated into a single national organization. The decision to merge into USAWE was unanimously supported by the Boards of both prior WE organizations.

The merger is the culmination of many months of work, and we are excited about the future!

Membership Regions

USAWE is structured into distinct geographical Regions. The purpose of Regions is to provide geographically-based representation in the governance of the organization as well as for awards. The Regions are:

  • Region 1:  Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana.
  • Region 2:  California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Hawaii, and U.S. territories in the Pacific.
  • Region 3:  Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado.
  • Region 4:  New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
  • Region 5:  Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky.
  • Region 6:  New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
  • Region 7:  Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and US territories in the Atlantic.
  • International: All locations outside the United States of America.
Corporate Records
Bylaws
Meeting Minutes
Policies & Procedures Manual
Codes of Conduct & Ethics
Awards Programs
National & Regional Leaderboards
National Breed Performance Awards
National High Point Junior
Lifetime Rider Medals
Committees

Contact Information
Lists of Committee
Members & Chairs

Why We Love Working Equitation

I LOVE that all breeds can be competitive. That teaching the obstacles gives Dressage exercises “purpose” to the horse and “meaning” to the riders. They get instant feedback if their training is on the right track because you either make it around an obstacle with symmetry and balance…or you don’t. And we get to work cattle!!!!!
Nicole Chastain Price

California

Personally, I love the diversity of the training for the various trials. It challenges me to think, plan, and develop quieter, clearer aids for my horse. I LOVE the fact that WE brings together many like minded riders who are accepting of a wide range of riding styles whose main goal is to have harmony with the horse and to have fun with our horses!
Biddie Lowry

Virginia

The different layers of training involved, attract me. I like the dressage work, have competed in obstacle challenges, now I can combine the two. I also like the diversity of people, horses and discipline. The absolute best part is the supportive community. It’s such fun to be involved in a sport where people cheer each other on and console each other when a ride doesn’t go as planned.
Jan Harris

Montana

I love how the horses participate and feel proud when they are confident with their job at the obstacles. I enjoy the partnership formed from training and participation in WE.
Cari Schwartz

Oregon

I am a professional dressage rider, and WE is highly complimentary to dressage. I use it to work on flying changes and collection. It’s fun for the horses, and it gives riders a purpose.
Emilie Laval

Canada

Thank you to the WE Organization and the all the people involved. Friendships have developed this year that I am truly grateful for, and could have never imagined happening. I’ve never been involved in a showing environment where my cheeks hurt from laughing so hard, my brain hurts from all the memorization, everyone is so supportive for each other, and horsemanship is truly tested.
Michelle Lackey

Ohio

Gaited horses can compete with non- gaited horses. Fun to train for and love the challenges!
Gayl Raye

South Carolina

I love, love, love the people – seriously, it is the best and most supportive community! I also feel like it is an inclusive discipline. You can be successful and have fun even without the most expensive horse or a particular breed or without being in the best physical shape yourself. There is so much variety that there is always something to learn and no horse or person is going to be naturally great with all of it.
Sara Barnwell

Michigan

The people that this sport attracts seem to put the horse first. There are no gimmicks, only desire to improve horsemanship and communication with the horse. All horse types and riding disciplines are included. No matter your choice, there is something to be learned by observation and appreciation of the others. There will always be a challenge to improve at every outing, and as one progresses through the levels. The correlation of the phases gives purpose to the skills we strive for. Our judges are so knowledgeable, fair, and encouraging to each exhibitor. They also spend their time offering many learning opportunities to those interested in the sport.
Elena Juarez

California

Get In Touch

USA Working Equitation
5006 Forsythe Place
Boulder, CO, 80303

The USAWE logo was designed by Alexandra Crippen of Crippen Designs, in Creswell, Oregon.

The logo represents the four trials of Working Equitation and highlights the diversity for which the sport is known in the United States.

 

  • The first image depicts a mule, being ridden in western tack and attire in the Dressage trial.
  • The second image showcases an Iberian horse in traditional Iberian tack and attire performing in the EOH trial.
  • The third image shows a horse of indeterminate breeding and a rider in English tack and attire, competing in the Speed trial.
  • Together, all three riders represent a team competing together in the Cattle trial. Although the cow is not shown directly, the three teammates are working in concert. The image is intended to elicit the feeling of excitement and movement as the team moves their designated cow toward the holding pen to the far right, off the page. (Think of it as a “silent cow”, much as the letter “e” at the end of a word is often referred to as “the silent ‘e'” in recognition of its existence without being read aloud).
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