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Working Equitation Trail – The Pen

The pen is basically a simple obstacle from the Working Equitation Trail. It is one of the tasks that are required at the tournament from the easiest class onwards. In this blog post, divided into:

  1. Construction
  2. Task
  3. Tips & Tricks
  4. The pen in the tournament test


Construction

The pen is a circular lane with an entrance/exit. In the middle there is a closed circle with a diameter of around 3 meters. At tournaments this area is usually lavishly decorated or animals are even fenced in. The track leading around it should be 1.20 meters wide and is also limited on the outside. The inner and outer boundaries are best recreated using cones. First set up the inner circle with the above diameter. Then set up the outer boundary at a distance of 1.20 meters from the inner circle of cones. Don't forget to keep a larger opening free as an entrance/exit.

If you cut the cones slightly at the top, a rope or a lunge line can be passed through this groove as a railing.


Task

The task with this obstacle is simply to ride in, around once and out again. At the tournament, the direction in which the pen should be ridden is specified. When practicing, it is always a good idea to tackle the obstacle on both hands. If you are venturing into the pen for the first time, it is best to do so at a walk. Make sure that the horse goes through the pen smoothly and with a slight bend and does not touch the inner or outer boundary. It should therefore stay in the middle of the lane at all times. If it works well at a walk on both hands, you can also try it at a trot and later at a gallop.



Tips & Tricks

At first glance, the pen seems to be an easy and self-explanatory obstacle. Nevertheless, we would like to prepare you for possible problems and provide suitable solutions:

1. Pen is not entered

Particularly sensitive and/or distrustful horses may consider the setup too dangerous, especially when confronted with this exercise for the first time, and may refuse to enter.

Here's how it works: As with the bridge, we recommend that horse and rider tackle the obstacle together from the ground. Many horses often have more confidence from the ground. Another approach would be to move the horse backwards from the saddle into the alley. Let the horse stand there until it has relaxed a little, and then try to ride forwards through the obstacle again.

2. New page, new luck?

Just because the obstacle worked well on one hand doesn't mean it will work just as well on the other hand.

Here's how it works: For the horse, the obstacle looks completely different from the other side and is therefore a new task. If you have successfully mastered the pen on one hand, approach the exercise on the other hand as if you were trying it for the first time. For tournament enthusiasts, it is recommended that you practice at home with different decorations.

3. Difficulty staying in lane

This will be quite easy at a walk - here you have enough time to see all sides and to make sure that your horse does not touch any of the boundaries. However, at the trot, there is not much time left to react appropriately.

Here's how it works: A consistent bend and control of the front and hindquarters are crucial for this task. If you have your horse "between you", i.e. it is responding well to the aids, you can avoid the shoulders or hindquarters breaking out. Also, only focus on one boundary of the pen, preferably the inner one. By constantly changing your gaze from the inside to the outside and back again, you will unnecessarily throw yourself and your horse off balance. If you can maintain the distance to the inner boundary here, you know that you still have enough room to maneuver on the outside.


The pen in the tournament test

according to WED eV tournament regulations as of 2023

At the tournament, the pen must be ridden at a certain gait depending on the horse's performance class. The chosen gait must be maintained throughout the entire obstacle. If the task is required on both hands, the change of hands also takes place differently depending on the horse's performance class. Anyone who knocks over or throws off the border in the speed trail receives a 5-second penalty. If all four of the horse's legs leave the pen, the rider is disqualified.

  • Performance classes WE & WA: The pen is ridden at walk or trot. The turn is done as a half volte in the chosen gait
  • Performance class WL: The task is ridden at a walk or a canter. The change of hand is completed with a half walk pirouette.
  • Performance classes WM & WS: Here too, the obstacle is ridden at a walk or a canter. The latter is given a higher rating. The turn is made as a half pirouette in the chosen gait.

Keep your eyes open in the roundabout

At a walk, the pen should be an easy obstacle to complete for most horses and riders from the Working Equitation Trail. However, if you increase the gait by one or two, this exercise requires a higher level of skill and, especially at a canter, a good willingness to collect from the horse. The pen therefore offers its own appeal and challenge for every level of training.


Here you will find a small selection of equipment that is very suitable for Working Equitation:

Leonie Bauer
Leonie Bauer

My name is Leonie Bauer, I was born in 1993 and come from the greater Munich area. I have been addicted to horses and equestrian sports for almost 20 years. From 2012 onwards I was lucky enough to be able to immerse myself more intensively in a real and horse-friendly riding lesson in a small but fine riding school. A year later I bought my then 5-year-old Lusitano stallion Desejo, whom I trained in many different ways with my trainer over the following years. Our focus is on dressage - but classical work in hand, lunging and small gymnastic jumps are also part of our training program. In 2018 we were able to get a taste of Working Equitation for the first time and were both immediately enthusiastic about this practical application of dressage. We are very happy that since 2020 we have had the opportunity to train more intensively in this area. Competitive sport has never appealed to me. For me, the ultimate goal is to promote and maintain healthy riding.

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