Working Equitation Triples Prize Money at
2014 Pin Oak Charity Horse Show
The Haras Dos Cavaleiros Working Equitation Championships offer $15,000 in cash prizes at
the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, in two days of competition March 20 and 21.
Working Equitation, the newest international craze in equine sports, is coming into its own this spring at the Pin Oak
Charity Horse Show. Event sponsors Carmina Zamorano and Rafael Chavez of the Lusitano breeding farm Haras Dos Cavaleiros
in Magnolia, Texas have more than tripled the prize money awarded in 2013, part of their expanded commitment as title sponsors
for Week One of the Pin Oak show. This year, each level offered will divide $5,000 among the top five finishers, including a
$500 bonus prize to the top-scoring amateur rider in the Novice, Intermediate and Advanced levels. First place in each level takes
home $2,500, second place $1,000, third $500, fourth $300 and fifth $200. The amateur bonus is paid in addition to these
amounts. The show is also offering a 13-and-Under competition with non-cash prizes.
So why the big jump in prize money? According to Carmina Zamorano, it is to attract high-level competitors from all
breeds and disciplines to this fast-growing sport, which many say is the most likely to become the next FEI Olympic equine
discipline. Along with the umbrella organization Working Equitation International Association of the USA (WEIAUSA) which
provides the rules for major United States competitions closely aligned with those used at the World Association of Working
Equitation (WAWE), Zamorano and Chavez are also sponsoring The Haras Cup, the second major Working Equitation
competition held in Texas in 2014. The Haras Cup will be held at Haras Dos Cavaleiros’ Magnolia TX facility in late October
with major corporate backing.
So exactly what is this new sport that is creating all the buzz?
Working Equitation is a discipline based upon the tradition of fieldwork on ranches, highlighting the clear partnership
between horse and rider, with an emphasis on athleticism, collection and versatility. It has existed as a competitive sport in
Europe since the early 1990’s. Members of WAWE, the world governing body that organizes international competitions,
currently include Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Spain
and Sweden. The United States is on a short list for membership in the near future. In addition to their breeding and training
facility in Magnolia, TX, Pin Oak’s Title and International Hospitality Sponsor Haras Dos Cavaleiros operates a boutique hotel
on premises for international visitors interested in learning this new sport. They will also be sponsoring playdays at their facility
in February and March to help exhibitors train for the Pin Oak competition, with details available on Haras Dos Cavaleiros
Facebook page.
Working Equitation consists of three phases, Dressage, Ease of Handling, an event in which horses must calmly
navigate obstacles similar to those likely to appear in the field, such as bridges and gates, and Speed, where similar obstacles
must be overcome working against the clock. A fourth phase featuring cattle is normally held only in Team competitions, mainly
in Europe. A judge scores Working Equitation, and the outcome is determined by totaling the scores from each phase.
“Working Equitation is the most fun you can have competing with your horse while learning skills that you can use
every day,” says Carmina Zamorano. “We especially like to see the rivalry between the English riders and the Western riders,
who both excel in this sport. Each rider has a cheering section, which makes competition a lot of fun for spectators as well.”
Tack and Attire for Working Equitation is intended to showcase for the equestrian traditions of the country in which it
is held, or can reflect the country of origin for horses and riders. Each international team has its own attire. In the United States,
which is not yet a member of WAWE, any type of tack and attire is acceptable, as long as it is consistent throughout. This can
range from Western tack and attire, to Hunt Seat attire from foxhunting traditions, or Dressage attire. For riders of Lusitano or
Andalusian horses, Portuguese or Spanish tack is often seen. At last year’s Pin Oak competition, a pair of Australian stock horses
competed in Aussie saddles and tack. For those new to the sport, a polo shirt, breeches and boots are acceptable.
“Working Equitation is a discipline that appeals to riders of all levels and cultures,” says Linda Graham, chairperson
for Working Equitation at Pin Oak. “Here in the United States where Working Equitation is just getting started, riders whose
passion is Dressage, Reining, Pleasure classes, Western Dressage or hunter/jumper events can bring the horse and the tack that
they already have, and add a second layer of capability to compete in Working Equitation. This is a discipline that shines a bright
light on quality training as well as quality horses of all breeds. Perennial World Champions from Portugal Pedro Torres and his
Lusitano Oxidado are probably the best-known example. Search for them on YouTube and you’ll see what Working Equitation
is all about!”
Haras Dos Cavaleiros is sponsoring All-Breed Working Equitation at Pin Oak with three levels of competition:
Novice, Intermediate and Advanced. A 13 and Under division without cash prizes is run at the Introductory level with no speed
test. The Working Equitation International Association of the United States of America (WEIAUSA) rules for the competition
are posted on the Pin Oak website under Exhibitor Information > Working Equitation at www.pinoak.org. In addition to $5,000
in prize money at each level, there will be ribbons for each phase, and trophies. The show expects entries from many of the
breeds exhibiting at Pin Oak during Week One, including American Saddlebreds, Andalusians, Lusitanos, Welsh Ponies, hunters,
and jumpers. In 2012, the Novice level Champion was the talented Hudson Bay ridden by Susan Pelletier, who went on to
capture honors in Pin Oak’s International Hunter Derby the next day.
The Dressage phase will be held on Thursday, March 20, and the Ease of Handling (obstacles for precision) and Speed
(obstacles for speed) phases on Friday, March 21 in the outdoor Haras Dos Cavaleiros ring just outside the main arena. Competitors
can enter any or all of the three phases, but in order to compete for Championship prizes must complete and be scored in all three.
The Speed phase is a real crowd-pleaser with music and a party atmosphere.
The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show in its 69th year is a fitting venue for this growing sport, combining decades of horse
show tradition with what is cutting-edge in equine competition. The show has raised over $5.5 million for charity since its inception
in 1945, donating $200,000 in 2013 to Texas Children’s Hospital, The Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, and Candlelighters
Childhood Cancer Family Alliance.
Pin Oak Charity Horse Show’s dates for 2012 are March 19 – 23 and March 25 – 30. For additional information, call
713-621-6290 or visit the website at www.pinoak.org.