Working Equitation Trail – The Bridge
One of the absolute basics in Working Equitation Trail is the so-called bridge. How to set it up and ride it and what to look out for in the tournament test with this obstacle is explained in the following blog post, divided into:
Construction
The bridge is usually a wooden structure with a length of at least 2 m, a width of at least 1.20 m and a maximum height of 50 cm. The obstacle must be built so sturdily that it can safely bear the weight of the horse and rider. In addition, the surface should be designed to be as non-slip as possible, for example with a structured surface or a non-slip, securely mounted rubber pad. Ropes or railings attached to the right and left limit the obstacle on the sides. These are not firmly attached to the bridge, so they could fall down if necessary.
Skilled craftsmen and do-it-yourselfers often convert pallets into bridges. However, the bridges made by special suppliers for working equitation are clearly recommended. These are designed in such a way that the risk of injury to horse and human is kept as low as possible.
Task
The task of the bridge is self-explanatory: it must be crossed. This is always done at a walk. The only exception is the speed trail. The horse should be able to cross the obstacle from both sides and, ideally, as calmly as possible. At least one hoof must touch the floor of the bridge. A bridge that is jumped over is not considered to have been passed correctly. In addition, the side barriers should not be knocked down or overturned. In the speed trail, this counts as a fault that results in penalty seconds.
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Tips & Tricks
Even though the bridge itself is a very simple obstacle and does not place particularly high demands on horse and rider, it can still contain some pitfalls. We would like to present you with possible problems and possible solutions below:
1. Bridge is not entered
There are horses that are so suspicious of the bridge that they don't even want to step on it. The noise from the different surface of the bridge can also scare sensitive horses away when they step on it.
Here's how it works: Get out of the saddle and calmly show the horse the obstacle from the ground. If a familiar person goes ahead, most horses can be persuaded to follow him or her. If that works well, you can get back on the horse and try again from the saddle. To prevent the horse from flinching because of the noise of footsteps, it helps to familiarize the horse with different surfaces (away from any obstacles). For example, if the horse can walk relaxed over a tarpaulin, the bridge should no longer be a problem.
2. Bridge is not crossed calmly
Some horses cross the bridge obediently, but are careful to get it over with as quickly as possible. A horse that runs or jumps over the bridge in a fearful or even panicked manner and therefore uncontrollably represents an increased risk of injury!
Here's how it works: The solutions mentioned for the first problem can also be helpful here. It is also advisable to stop on the obstacle. When the horse relaxes, ride again and finish crossing the bridge.
3. Not all bridges are the same
This is especially important for competition riders, because the training bridge at home will most likely not look exactly like the bridge at the competition. Particularly extravagant decoration has certainly made many a Working Equitation competition participant sweat, even in the difficult classes.
Here's how it works: Practice so that the bridge and its immediate surroundings do not always look the same. Decorate and decorate your bridge - there are no limits to your imagination. If you have familiarized your horse with as many different bridge designs as possible, the bridge at the tournament should not be a problem either.
The Bridge in the Tournament Test
according to WED eV tournament regulations as of 2023
As mentioned above, the bridge is always crossed at a walking pace, with the exception of the speed trail. The individual performance classes therefore only differ in how the rider approaches the bridge and how he or she continues riding afterwards.
- Performance class WE: Here the obstacle is approached at a trot and then halted to a walk. The rider then trots his horse again.
- Performance class WA: In this class, the rider approaches the bridge from a canter, and the transition to walking is done via a trot. The rider also rides away from a trot at a canter.
- Performance class WL and higher: From class WL onwards, the obstacle is also approached from a canter, but there is a direct transition to a walk. When riding away, the horse also canters directly from a walk.
Simple Bridge with Trickery
The bridge is basically an easy-to-ride obstacle from the Working Equitation Trail. It does not require particularly great training for the horse, nor does it require exceptional skill. However, depending on the horse's temperament and appearance, the bridge can be quite a challenge. Therefore, even this simple obstacle should be regularly incorporated into training.
Here I have put together a great selection of products with suitable equipment for Working Equitation: