featured
Working Horse Central (WHC) is designed to promote the technique and skill of working horses. WHC is focused on the preservation of the working horse in a modern mechanical era while enabling both professionals and the average horse owner to compete in a commonsense discipline highlighting functional biomechanics coupled with mental and physical soundness. Working Horse Central strives to create educational opportunities for all levels of horse and riders.
The mission of Working Horse Central is to highlight the working horse while promoting long term mental and physical soundness.
The competitions will focus on building horses through levels in a way to promote functional biomechanics, healthy posture, self-carriage, adjustability, relaxation, fitness, and a solid partnership between horse and rider. The goal of Working Horse Central is to highlight the versatility of the horse while advancing the partnership of the horse and rider through levels designed to build skills required in the working horse.
the phases
There are four phases that make up a Working Horse Central. The trails may be held at stand-alone shows, held virtually, or piggy backed onto existing competitions for other disciplines.
Working Horse Cattle
This phase highlights the ability of a working horse and rider to work with cattle. There are two options for this phase. In the event a competition offers both options the scores will be averaged for year end awards points.
Option A – Individual – A cow must be cut from a herd of at least four cows. The rider must remove the cow from the herd zone, make a figure 8 around two barrels and return the cow to the herd. The rider has 5 minutes to perform this task. The cow will be assigned to the rider prior to entering the herd zone. Rider will be awarded a time score plus bonuses/penalties, a horsemanship score, and a herdsmanship score. The horse will be awarded scores on adjustability and submission.
Option A – Individual – A cow must be cut from a herd of at least four cows. The rider must remove the cow from the herd zone, make a figure 8 around two barrels and return the cow to the herd. The rider has 5 minutes to perform this task. The cow will be assigned to the rider prior to entering the herd zone. Rider will be awarded a time score plus bonuses/penalties, a horsemanship score, and a herdsmanship score. The horse will be awarded scores on adjustability and submission.
Working Horse Cattle
This phase highlights the ability of a working horse and rider to work with cattle. There are two options for this phase. In the event a competition offers both options the scores will be averaged for year end awards points.
Option B – Team – A team of three riders must sort 6 cows in numerical order and move them to a pen on the opposite end of the competition arena. There can only be two cows in the working zone at a time. The riders have ten minutes to perform this task. The team will be awarded a time score plus bonuses/penalties. Each rider will be awarded a time score plus bonuses/penalties, a horsemanship score, and a herdsmanship score. Each horse will be awarded scores on adjustability and submission.
Option B – Team – A team of three riders must sort 6 cows in numerical order and move them to a pen on the opposite end of the competition arena. There can only be two cows in the working zone at a time. The riders have ten minutes to perform this task. The team will be awarded a time score plus bonuses/penalties. Each rider will be awarded a time score plus bonuses/penalties, a horsemanship score, and a herdsmanship score. Each horse will be awarded scores on adjustability and submission.
Working Horse Functionality
Prescribed patterns are ridden at each level. The judge will choose the pattern and it will be published in the prizelist.
Each level will have a maximum of three patterns for the judge to choose from.
Each movement within the pattern is given a numerical score.
Collective marks are given for posture, gaits, impulsion, suppleness, submission, as well as rider’s/handler’s position, effectiveness of the aids, and overall presentation.
Each level will have a maximum of three patterns for the judge to choose from.
Each movement within the pattern is given a numerical score.
Collective marks are given for posture, gaits, impulsion, suppleness, submission, as well as rider’s/handler’s position, effectiveness of the aids, and overall presentation.
Working Horse Trail
Obstacles designed to simulate challenges encountered by the working horse. Obstacles will be given individual numerical scores.
A coefficient mark of 1 will be given to obstacle that are walked. A coefficient of 2 will be given to obstacles performed in trot. A coefficient of 3 will be given to obstacles performed in canter. Collective marks are given for transitions, course navigation, posture, gaits, impulsion, suppleness, submission, as well as rider’s/handler’s position, effectiveness of the aids, and overall presentation.
The goal of this phase is to negotiate the obstacles with accuracy, ease, engagement, thoroughness and relaxation.
A coefficient mark of 1 will be given to obstacle that are walked. A coefficient of 2 will be given to obstacles performed in trot. A coefficient of 3 will be given to obstacles performed in canter. Collective marks are given for transitions, course navigation, posture, gaits, impulsion, suppleness, submission, as well as rider’s/handler’s position, effectiveness of the aids, and overall presentation.
The goal of this phase is to negotiate the obstacles with accuracy, ease, engagement, thoroughness and relaxation.
Working Horse Agility
Obstacles are ridden at speed. The objective is to negotiate the course with no errors, in the correct order, as quickly and efficiently as possible. Beginner Horsemen are restricted to walk and trot. Each break of gait to canter will result in a 10 point/second penalty for the first three occurrences.
Individual scores are based on elapsed time through the obstacles plus time penalties and minus time bonuses. A Horsemanship score will be given for each competitor. A Horse submission/adjustability score will be given to each horse.
Individual scores are based on elapsed time through the obstacles plus time penalties and minus time bonuses. A Horsemanship score will be given for each competitor. A Horse submission/adjustability score will be given to each horse.
Working Horse Cattle
This phase highlights the ability of a working horse and rider to work with cattle. There are two options for this phase. In the event a competition offers both options the scores will be averaged for year end awards points.
Option A – Individual – A cow must be cut from a herd of at least four cows. The rider must remove the cow from the herd zone, make a figure 8 around two barrels and return the cow to the herd. The rider has 5 minutes to perform this task. The cow will be assigned to the rider prior to entering the herd zone. Rider will be awarded a time score plus bonuses/penalties, a horsemanship score, and a herdsmanship score. The horse will be awarded scores on adjustability and submission.
Option A – Individual – A cow must be cut from a herd of at least four cows. The rider must remove the cow from the herd zone, make a figure 8 around two barrels and return the cow to the herd. The rider has 5 minutes to perform this task. The cow will be assigned to the rider prior to entering the herd zone. Rider will be awarded a time score plus bonuses/penalties, a horsemanship score, and a herdsmanship score. The horse will be awarded scores on adjustability and submission.
Working Horse Cattle
This phase highlights the ability of a working horse and rider to work with cattle. There are two options for this phase. In the event a competition offers both options the scores will be averaged for year end awards points.
Option B – Team – A team of three riders must sort 6 cows in numerical order and move them to a pen on the opposite end of the competition arena. There can only be two cows in the working zone at a time. The riders have ten minutes to perform this task. The team will be awarded a time score plus bonuses/penalties. Each rider will be awarded a time score plus bonuses/penalties, a horsemanship score, and a herdsmanship score. Each horse will be awarded scores on adjustability and submission.
Option B – Team – A team of three riders must sort 6 cows in numerical order and move them to a pen on the opposite end of the competition arena. There can only be two cows in the working zone at a time. The riders have ten minutes to perform this task. The team will be awarded a time score plus bonuses/penalties. Each rider will be awarded a time score plus bonuses/penalties, a horsemanship score, and a herdsmanship score. Each horse will be awarded scores on adjustability and submission.
Working Horse Functionality
Prescribed patterns are ridden at each level. The judge will choose the pattern and it will be published in the prizelist.
Each level will have a maximum of three patterns for the judge to choose from.
Each movement within the pattern is given a numerical score.
Collective marks are given for posture, gaits, impulsion, suppleness, submission, as well as rider’s/handler’s position, effectiveness of the aids, and overall presentation.
Each level will have a maximum of three patterns for the judge to choose from.
Each movement within the pattern is given a numerical score.
Collective marks are given for posture, gaits, impulsion, suppleness, submission, as well as rider’s/handler’s position, effectiveness of the aids, and overall presentation.
Working Horse Trail
Obstacles designed to simulate challenges encountered by the working horse. Obstacles will be given individual numerical scores.
A coefficient mark of 1 will be given to obstacle that are walked. A coefficient of 2 will be given to obstacles performed in trot. A coefficient of 3 will be given to obstacles performed in canter. Collective marks are given for transitions, course navigation, posture, gaits, impulsion, suppleness, submission, as well as rider’s/handler’s position, effectiveness of the aids, and overall presentation.
The goal of this phase is to negotiate the obstacles with accuracy, ease, engagement, thoroughness and relaxation.
A coefficient mark of 1 will be given to obstacle that are walked. A coefficient of 2 will be given to obstacles performed in trot. A coefficient of 3 will be given to obstacles performed in canter. Collective marks are given for transitions, course navigation, posture, gaits, impulsion, suppleness, submission, as well as rider’s/handler’s position, effectiveness of the aids, and overall presentation.
The goal of this phase is to negotiate the obstacles with accuracy, ease, engagement, thoroughness and relaxation.