Dressage phase is similar to competitive dressage but using the small arena of 20 x 40 meters throughout all the levels. The word ‘dressage’ means ‘to train’. The point of teaching working horses dressage is to develop skills that are needed for working in the field, i.e. navigating obstacles, moving cattle, etc. So each movement trained and each level of test is carefully created to help develop the horse and rider’s fitness, courage, agility and strength. Practicing these movements in a dressage court then applying them in the Ease of Handling Phase slowly and with many repetitions is important to do before adding speed and then the ultimate test of separating cattle! 

Ease of Handling (EOH) or Maneability trial Is a gymkhana type event in which horses must counter obstacles similar to those likely to appear in the field (e.g. crossing bridges, passing through doorways, etc). The manner in which the obstacle is transposed – depending on agility, submission, working attitude, and ease of movement and of handling – is scored by the Judge.

The Speed trial is just that – fast! This test is timed and the only penalties are time penalties. There is no ‘right or wrong’ way to navigate through the obstacles except direction! In other words, competitors are not judged subjectively by the officials, they must complete the course much like a show jumper, in the right order and without knocking down an obstacle. However, the fastest times are often not the quickest horses! The most careful and well planned/well strategized runs are often the fastest times. This is why practicing the EOH carefully is so important! 

The Cattle Trial is the final phase and is optional in most of the lower levels here in the USA. But this is the crescendo of Working Equitation! All the training that went into the Dressage phase in order to carefully and skillfully navigate the EOH phase so that speed could be added and the horse/rider team are as ONE moving quickly through and over obstacles….culminates in the handiness and team work of the two when asked to separate and move a cow out of a group and into a chute!