Working Equitation Championships, Hartpury
Wow. What an amazing weekend we’ve had. The long drive down from Scotland to Gloucestershire was well worth it!
Despite the difficulties planning a cattle working test around a foot and mouth outbreak, a lovely afternoon was had at a farm in Buckinghamshire. I had to stand on the car in order to take pictures and I dont do heights very well! Still, it was OK as long as I didnt look down or move too quickly 
The Spanish camp-not a regular sight in Buckinghamshire!
Four teams took part in the cattle test; Portugal, Great Britain, Spain and Italy. Each team fields four riders, each rider having to cut a ‘named’ cow from the herd in each round which is timed, with a maximum limit of three minutes. The British all-female team did very well particularly as they have much less experience with cattle work than their European counterparts. They also had the youngest horse in competition, the six year old lusitano mare Uxaria. They managed to get three of the four cattle, no mean feat!
The British all female team!!!!!!!
The Spanish team were extremely slick at the cattle work. One round in particular was so fast that I hardly had time to take a picture. When done so well, it’s very calm and quiet-I’m not sure the cattle even noticed! At the end of the day, Spain were leading with the fast and furious Italians second with Portugal third. The British and Portuguese team members all ride Lusitanos. The Spanish rode purebred Lusitanos and cruzados, which are Lusitano crossbreds. The Italian team had one lusitano mare.
One of slick Spanish team in action
Saturday morning saw the Equitation test. More competitors joined the competition at this point, with all the aforementioned teams having an extra rider representing their countries as individuals and Sweden also putting forward an individual riding an 18 year old warmblood. Team Belgium also joined in the competition-their first.
The divine Otario of the Portuguese team-rider is World Champion. For some reason I have alot of photos of this horse!
It should probably be pointed out that the equitation test (and later the obstacle course) is based on movements the horse may be called upon when working cattle and at this level is ridden one handed (left) entirely off the curb. The test is ridden entirely in walk and canter and movements include half pass, pirouettes, rein back, a four loop serpentine with flying changes and canter 10m circles. The horses are not neck reined.
The Italian team had the most comfy looking saddles. They also had one of my favourite horses of the competition (apart from Otario and the cremello stallion Ole). The grey Lusitano mare had the sweetest expression whatever she was doing.
The obstacle course is in two parts, the first is not against the clock -although there is a time limit. The second is against the clock with time penalties for any knocked over poles etc and elimination if the rider takes the wrong course. Obstacles include single and double slalom (flying changes), canter voltes around barrels-again with flying changes, a small jump, flase ground, rein back, side step along raised poles placed in a ‘L’ shape, livestock pen among others! Horses are judged on boldness, willingness, fluency etc.
The speed course took place the next day with a pared down course that still demanded discipline, concentration and speed! All teams rode well the first day with the Portuguese showing great skill, the Italians a promise of the speed yet to come and the British riding well. The Swedish and Belgian competitors showed how game they are and did a great job. Videos of two of the Portuguese speed rounds can be found on the main site, there are also enough photos to show all of the obstacles!
The Portuguese stallion Ole. Maybe not to everyone’s taste but this horse has such presence, I have pictures of him from Golega as well.
The speed round was great to watch, with the crowd cheering on each team and the Italian supporters being particularly supportive! I dont blame them either, their team were blisteringly fast and their individual rider (just 18 years old) won the speed section. A fair few competitors were eliminated for taking the wrong course including an Italian and Portuguese competitor. It was a great event and a great spectator sport.
The Portuguese won both the Individual and Team European Championship with the Spanish team second and the Italians’ third. The prize giving was a fairly riotous affair ending up with all teams galloping around the arena and lots of hat throwing! The foreign teams are great horsemen and great showmen.
The British team in action
