Working Equitation

A new equestrian sport coming to South Africa.

- Marike Kotzé

Working equitation, better known by its Spanish name Doma Vaquera, can literally be translated into ‘schooling of the stock horse’. This fast-growing international equestrian sport is also representative of one of the oldest riding disciplines in the world. Its origins lie in the need for European cowboys to practise the skills of their horses to enable them to work with the fighting bulls found in Spain, Portugal and the south of France.

Who can participate?

Although traditionally Lusitanos and Andalusians were the chosen horses for this sport, any rider, with any type of horse, at any level of riding can compete in working equitation. This makes it a sport that is very accessible to riders of varying backgrounds. Working equitation offers something for riders of every discipline. For dressage it adds obstacles into the mix, while for those who jump, do traditional equitation or Prix Caprilli, it requires perhaps a little more time spent on improving the suppleness and obedience of the horse.

How is it structured?