Working Equitation

WORKING EQUITATION is coming to Woodhill Sands Equestrian Centre!

For the first time ever, we’re thrilled to bring you a Working Equitation Open Day at the beautiful Woodhill Sands Equestrian Centre on Saturday, 8th June. This is your chance to experience a sport that’s quickly growing in popularity in New Zealand and is all about harmony between horse and rider. Find out about the day here.

This day is designed to be informal and fun, making it the perfect opportunity for both beginners and seasoned riders to practice and improve their skills. You’ll get to work on obstacles in your own time and participate in individual rounds to receive valuable feedback from our judges. It’s not just about competition, it’s about learning and growing together! We welcome all riders, of all ages and stages, whether in English or Western tack, hacks or ponies, bitted or bitless.

Working Equitation is a sport that combines the poise of dressage with the thrill of speed and the precision of working cattle (n.b.in New Zealand we aren’t quite advanced enough to have the working cattle phase in our competitions just yet!). You can see some of the world’s best here and here. It’s a super-fun way to train your horse and to develop that feeling of partnership.

Don’t miss this chance to be a part of the first-ever Working Equitation Open Day at Woodhill Sands. It’s going to be a day filled with excitement, learning, and camaraderie.

• Talk from experienced Working Equitation Judges (Melanie Creed and David Jackson), who will do a course walk at 10am and will be on course for riders to answer all your questions and provide advice and support.

• Warm ups - opportunity to practice the obstacles. Work your way around each obstacle for as long as you want before the competition starts

• Training classes for horses and ponies - Ribbons and Chocolate Freddo for those who complete the course.

• Feedback will be given to riders - perfect to help introduce you to this new and rapidly growing discipline

• Training/Have a Go style day which is great for people new to working equitation, casual dress, no jackets or platting required.

 Entries will be via Evo Events . We now offer payment via Poli or Stripe (credit card) for on-line entries.  This is our preferred method of payment for your entries and will secure your spot at the time of entry.

To find out more about Working Equitation in New Zealand, check out the official site of the national organisation, Working Equitation New Zealand https://wenz.nz . You can also familiarize yourself with the current rules for competition, which explains how each obstacle is performed to ensure you’re ready for the event. Don’t worry if it’s a bit confusing, we will have lots of people on the ground to help you out if you would like.