As with many equestrian sports, working equation originated from the horse being utilised to assist humans as a working animal.
In Spanish, working equitation translates as “Doma Vaquera,” which loosely means “schooling of the stock horse.” It is comparable to the American western riding used in fieldwork and working cattle as well as connected to the art of bullfighting. Both disciplines require speed, agility and quickness from a horse with a high degree of collection. Dorma Vaquera horses perform dressage movements such as shoulder-in, pirouettes, leg yield, half pass and flying changes but with more speed and impulsion than the classical dressage horse.
The sport of working equitation began in the mid-1990s pioneered by Spain, Italy, Portugal and France. It showcases both the horsemanship and ranching skills required to work on farms. It developed to preserve and uphold the various riding traditions, costumes and saddlery of the participating countries along with promoting the breeds of horses typically used for ranch work in Europe.
European breeds of horses renowned for their ability to work cows include the Iberian horses of Spain and Portugal, the Camargue horse from southern France and the Murgese horse of Italy. Just like the American Quarter horse, these European breeds produce lightning-fast spins, turns and stops. As much of the cattle in southern Europe are aggressive and difficult to rope, riders often carry a long pole or lance to prod the beasts in case of a cattle charge.
Although you may not associate the Italians with being cowboys, it was Italy that came up with the competition format of working equitation in 1996 holding the first-ever European Championships. The first world championships took place in Beja, Portugal in 2002.
The World Association for Working Equitation (WAWE) was formed in 2004 as the governing body for the sport and soon attracted membership from other European countries including Great Britain, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Austria, Holland, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Luxembourg and Slovenia. It later spread to the South American countries of Brazil, Columbia and Mexico and introduced to the USA in 2008. The sport is also gaining popularity in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
The rules of the WAWE are for all international competitions, but each country has its own rules for domestic competitions.