Source:  News Release

International Judging Clinic for Working Equitation at
Haras Dos Cavaleiros’ Texas Facility in March

Haras Dos Cavaleiros, the Texas Lusitano breeder coming to prominence in the horse world by promoting the sport of Working Equitation in the United States, will host a weeklong clinic at their facility just north of Houston on March 13 – 17 to train and certify the next generation of international Working Equitation judges.  Organizers expect participants from as far away as Europe, but emphasize the need to involve U. S. enthusiasts to build infrastructure for the sport here.

The clinic will be taught by Claudia Elsner Matos of Portugal, a renowned horsewoman with a decades-long résumé judging international Dressage and Working Equitation.  Since 2010, Matos has been tapped by the World Association of Working Equitation (WAWE) to train its international-level judges. The clinic will be part of a week-long program of Portuguese horses, wine, cuisine and culture on parade at the equestrian center known as Haras Dos Cavaleiros, (Home of the Riders) which with its boutique hotel on-property and event-planning flair is becoming a top global destination for fans of the Lusitano horse and Working Equitation. 

Haras Dos Cavaleiros’ owners Carmina Zamorano and Rafael Chavez Monzon are working tirelessly toward qualifying the United States as the next member of WAWE, eligible to compete in Normandy, France in 2014 for the World Championships.

“This opportunity to learn from the world’s top authority in Working Equitation is beyond price for anyone who wants to jump-start their expertise in this sport,” says Carmina Zamorano.  “Current USEF judges from other equine disciplines can become certified to judge Working Equitation both in the United States, and in other WAWE countries. And if you are riding and competing, understanding exactly how the sport is judged can help you earn a winning score.” 

Portuguese authority Jorge de Sousa, the first World Champion of Working Equitation and trainer of many National Champion horse/rider pairs in Portugal, will conduct a rider’s clinic during Portuguese Week to teach the finer points of navigating the obstacles involved.  Matos’s students will judge de Sousa’s riders in a mini-competition as part of their final exam.  Haras Dos Cavaleiros is home base for several current IALHA National Champion Working Equitation trainers and horses, so there should be a very high level of horsemanship to observe.

So exactly what is this new equestrian pursuit that is inspiring all this effort? Depending on whom you ask, you may learn that Working Equitation is the newest global craze in equestrian sports, the equine sport most likely to become the next FEI Olympic equine discipline, or in the United States, the most fun you can have competing with your horse while learning skills that you can use every day.

Working Equitation is 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.  WAWE is the world governing body that organizes international competitions, and member countries currently include Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. Hopefully, the United States will join them in the near future.

Working Equitation consists of three phases, Dressage, Ease of Handling, a gymkhana type event in which horses must overcome 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 held only in Team competitions, mainly in Europe. Working Equitation is scored by a judge, and the outcome is determined by totaling the scores from each phase.

Since the upper levels must be ridden with one hand only on the reins, Western riders do have a bit of an advantage. Tack and Attire for Working Equitation is intended to showcase for the equestrian traditions of the country in which it is held, or the country of origin for horses and riders. For riders of Lusitano or Andalusian horses, Portuguese or Spanish tack is appropriate.  Or for those just getting started, a polo shirt, breeches and boots are currently acceptable at the lower levels. 

American rules for all of the above are in the process of being codified to comply with WAWE standards.  Here too, Haras Dos Cavaleiros owner Carmina Zamorano is involved in the process, coordinating with several grassroots organizations in various parts of the United States. 

Haras Dos Cavaleiros has also helped propel the sport forward by sponsoring major competitions in the United States since moving their 100 or so Lusitano horses from Mexico in 2009. They underwrote Working Equitation at the International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association (IALHA) National shows in Fort Worth in 2011 and 2012.  And 2013 is the second year that they have sponsored Working Equitation Championships at Houston’s legendary Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, with three levels of competition and $6,000 in prize money, plus ribbons and trophies.

The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show is one of the oldest and most prestigious Open horse shows in the United States, with classes for American Saddlebreds, Andalusians and Lusitanos, Hunters, Jumpers and Welsh Ponies.  With the addition of Working Equitation, decades of elite horse show tradition collide with what is most cutting-edge in equine sport.  The show has raised over $5.5 million for children’s charities since its inception in 1945.  As International Hospitality Sponsors at the Presenting level, Zamorano and Chavez have been involved with the show since 2011. The 2013 Haras Dos Cavaleiros Working Equitation Championships at Pin Oak on March 21 – 22 at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX will be the first internationally recognized competition held in the U. S., and will be the initial qualifier for the team selected to represent the United States at the World Championships of Working Equitation in Normandy in 2014. 

Horsemen and women of all disciplines who are interested in judging or competing in this fast-growing new sport or who want to get serious about going after some of that prize money at The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show are invited to attend the judge’s clinic with Claudia Matos March 13 – 17 or the riding clinic with Jorge de Sousa March 15 - 17. 

The comprehensive and detailed agenda for the judge’s clinic covers everything from the history and goals of the sport to specific judging issues in each of the four phases of competition, with both video and live examples.  The course is recognized by WAWE and has curricular value in the overall certification process for WAWE judges.

Cost for the judge’s clinic is $575 for the five-day judging program. Cost for the three-day training clinic is $450 per rider, and for those without a suitable horse, Haras Dos Cavaleiros can provide a limited number of mounts at additional cost. Both programs include lunch every day. Complete information on the program for Portuguese Week at Haras Dos Cavaleiros just prior to the competition at Pin Oak is available on the website at www.harasdc.us.  For more information, call 281-259-4861 or email gaby@harasdc.us.

Barnmice News story brought to you by Omega Alpha

Omega Alpha has you covered for all your equine natural supplements -
plus human and pet needs too!