What is Working Equitation?

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Working Equitation is fun, versatile, and growing sport in the United States! Originally developed in Southern Europe, Working Equitation is now a worldwide sport with four distinct phases.

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The Dressage trial is scored the same as traditional Dressage but with slightly different movements. Although each test feels much like a traditional dressage test, certain elements have been added to test the skills horses and riders must demonstrate in the following phase: Ease of Handling (EOH). In the EOH trial, horses and riders must navigate through obstacles using the fundamentals learned in the Dressage ring. Balanced transitions suppleness, correct bend, accurate geometry, square halts, and straightness are all necessary elements of in the EOH phase. This phase is judged the same as the Dressage trial with rider's earning a percentage at the end. The next phase is the speed round, which consists of the same obstacles as the EOH phase, but the rider is only timed and not judged on the ease of execution. The last phase is a cattle sorting phase, similar to team penning, where riders have three minutes to successfully pen their assigned cow.

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Similar to Dressage, there are different levels of competition: Introductory, Novice A, Novice B, Intermediate A, Intermediate B, Advanced, and Masters. At the Advanced and Masters levels, all phases must be ridden one-handed. Riders can compete in any style of tack as long as the style in consistent throughout the phases.

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Maddie and B-Squared are currently ranked #1 in the Nation at the Advanced Level. Maddie is one of only 16 riders currently competing at the Masters Level in the United States. Maddie is currently one of the approximately 25 riders being considered to represent the United States in the International Championship competition in 2026. 

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