Let's Talk Obstacles: Episode 3

Hello Everyone,

I apologize for the delay between posts. My work team (and me too) has been dealing with a Covid outbreak. I won't get into that as this is NOT a place for that discussion, but suffice it to say, on top of the holiday season's normal scheduling challenges it has been a heck of  a week. The good news is that everyone will be fine, just caused a rather major disruption..to say the least.  I think it's time to get on with W.E., and speaking of W.E.......

I've attended a couple of committee meetings this week regarding zone championships. I have to say I am super impressed with the committees and the people involved with them. It's a big time and logistical commitment and the people doing it are just flat impressive and should probably run the world, but since they're not I am SUPER glad that they are running W.E.!

Now then, let's get back to obstacles and discuss the next one on the list:

 The Double Slalom:

From the Rule Book:

Double Slalom  

a.  Description.  This  obstacle  consists  of  an  odd  number  of  upright  posts: minimum  of  five; seven  recommended; minimum  of seven  for  Advanced  and  Masters  levels.  Each  post  is approximately  2  m  (6.5  ft)  in  height,  with  a  base  not  secured  to  the  ground. The  posts  are arranged  in  two  staggered parallel  lines, with  a  distance  of     6  m  (20  ft) between  the  parallel lines  and  between  each  post on the  line. The  posts  are  staggered such  that  the  midpoint  between the  first two  posts  of the  first line is  directly  opposite  the  first post of  the  second  line.   B-12 Revision  5, 1  December  2021   United  States  Rules  for  Working  Equitation 

b.  Execution.   The  obstacle  is  entered  at the  prescribed  gait.  The  horse  will  perform  half loops  or  turns  of  consistent  size  around  the  posts  in  the  direction  indicated  by  the  flags.   Changes  of  lead/bend  are  performed  halfway  between  the  posts  and  on  the  line  between the  successive  posts.  The  horse’s  lead  and  bend  should  conform  to  the  direction  of  the turn.  If there are no  exit  markers,  the  obstacle  is  complete  when  the  horse  has  crossed  the line  between  the  final  two  posts.

c.  Assessment Criteria  (EOH).   The  Judge  will  evaluate  the  horse’s  calm,  precise  action; quality  of  gait;  fluid  and  continuous  movement;  overall  manner in  performing  this obstacle;  and  the  quality  of the  lead  changes  or  changes  of  bend.  The  Judge  should consider  correctness  and  attitude  during  the  change  of lead  and/or changes  of  bend through  the  horse’s  body, and  the  horse’s bend  around  the  posts.  Late  or  delayed  lead changes  or  changes  of  bend  will  result  in  a  lower  score.  Failure  to  perform  lead  changes and/or  changes  of  bend  will  result  in  a  negative  mark.  The  shape,  symmetry, and precision  of  the  turns  for  this  obstacle, and  the  horse’s  response  to  the  rider’s  aids  will be considered. A  negative  score  will  be  given  for  knocking  down  any  of the  posts. 

This obstacle gets harder as one moves up the levels. In intro (L1), one performs this obstacle in TROT, at Novice Level (L2,L3): TROT, and Int. A (L4)the gait changes to canter with a change of lead through WALK. Every level above that requires canter with flying change; something I aspire to..someday!

Now, if you're as visual as I am, the words on the page don't translate clearly into what this obstacle looks like in reality. From above, it looks like this:

This particular one is an image I found on-line and is meant to show where the flying changes (or change of bend, or change through walk) should occur. You'll also notice that the shape here is very symmetrical but is 'ice cream cone' shaped around the poles. One can also find the double slalom illustrated like this:

I have been instructed by different judges at different times as to which is the preferred shape, however when reading the assessment criteria, this is what I see: The  shape,  symmetry, and precision  of  the  turns  for  this  obstacle, and  the  horse’s  response  to  the  rider’s  aids  will be considered. It might be a good idea to ask the judge what the preference is when you do your walk through. In my experience I find this easier to ride in straight lines in the trot, rather than in the canter, which tend get more 'loopy' with each new change of lead. In addition there are often entrance and exit markers leading into and coming out of this obstacle (remember: red on the right!) if you miss those,then a DQ is coming your direction!

No one sent me pictures of their horse doing this obstacle, however in looking for images I found some resources you might want to check out! Here is a website for a trainer named Dee Janelle out of Florida. You can click on her video diagrams of W.E. Obstacles

https://www.simpleequineteaching.com/working-equitaton-training

I also found a book on Amazon about W.E. obstacles you can purchase:

https://www.amazon.com/Working-Equitation-Obstacles-Dressage-Riders-ebook/dp/B088239ZYB

To see this obstacle ridden at a couple of levels, here are some YouTube links: 

The amazing Jill Barron at L6

https://youtu.be/4SdGt8f2wJ4

And the fabulous Kimberly Barker at L2

https://youtu.be/boyWX-yXa_s

I'd love a discussion around the 'right' way to do this obstacle. Have at it!

Happy Riding!!!