It is a sport called Working Equitation. It is freaking AWESOME! It's like a dressage-based eventing type of sport. It stems from the training given to Spanish war horses. The first test is a regular dressage test; the second phase is called Ease of Handling, where the horse has to go through an obstacle course similar to something out of a Western trail class, with poles, jumps, figure 8s around barrels, handling a lance (cooooool!), opening and closing a gate, going over a bridge, a reinback obstacle, etc. The horse is evaluated on the same points as in a dressage test: Rhythm, Relaxation, Regularity; Obedience and Confidence; Acceptance of and Response to the Aids; Suppleness of the Bend and Elasticity of the Roundness; Impulsion; Straightness; Correction and Balance. And then there is the Speed phase, where the obstacle course is repeated (except for the obstacles that require stopping, like the gate and the jug), but as fast as possible within the required gait (trot for lower levels, canter for the more advanced levels). The video above is of the speed phase.
This video has examples of the Ease of Handling phase:
I had heard of these events sometime in the past, but thought it was something exclusive to Spain and Portugal, and thought it was more along the lines of exhibit rather than an entire sport! I had no idea we have it in the US, nor that all breeds are welcome to participate. Not only that, we have Working Equitation competitions here in FL, in Dade City!
This is the official website for the sport: http://www.workingequitationusa.com/weusa_home
This would be soooo cool to try out!
