Origins of Working Equitation and Classical Dressage

In 1996, the first competition that gave birth to the Working Equitation format took place near Lisbon Portugal. This video shows the training clinic as well as the competition itself. This is the horse sport of the future and a way to do classical dressage with horses others than big moving warmbloods. The choice of dress and equipment is free and you can learn about dressage without having to give up your western saddle, your Stetson or your Quarter , Morgan, Arabian, Haflinger or any other breed that takes your fancy. This very first Trofeo Mundi Competition (the original name of the competition that gave birth to Working Equitation) was sponsored by the Secretary of Agriculture of Portugal, as well as by the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art, which sent 3 riders.