“As I taught a wide variety of horses and riders on the obstacles, I started to see patterns related to what was difficult for horses and riders to learn. It seemed like many of the horses and riders lacked the prerequisites to complete some of the most basic obstacles correctly, despite being accomplished in other disciplines.”
― Ali Kermeen; The Working Equitation Training Manual
A few years ago I was turned onto Working Equitation through a customer who asked me to build her a bridge and gate to specific standards. I’ve been interested in the sport since then but until recently I never did much about it. This year I began taking on obstacle course days at our farm and began to introduce Stanley to the obstacles he will see on course. (Winter Working (Equitation)). As a matter of fact the moment this article goes live I am scheduled to be riding in a local working equitation clinic.
It seems only fitting, then, that I add The Working Equitation Training Manual: 101 Exercises for Schooling and Competing written by Ali Kermeen to our Book Club.
You can get your copy directly here at Trafalgar Square books!
The Working Equitation Training Manual was first published in 2022 by Trafalgar Square Books. Ali grew up in eventing and competed through preliminary as a junior rider. An injury brought her to focusing on mainly dressage. Over the years she sought new ways to invigorate her training. She turned toward Cowboy Dressage and soon after learned about Working Equitation. She traveled far in order to learn about the sport and it was up to her to bring it into her own geographical area. She successfully brough recognized shows to her locality. In this book she hopes to shed more light onto the sport to help foster it’s growth throughout the country (and world).
Ali begins her book with some general information about Working Equitation and offers resources to the National Organizations for several countries. In the introduction we learn about the dressage trial, Ease of Handling Trial, the Speed Trial (level 2 and above), and the cattle trial (currently rarely offered in the United States).
In the proceeding pages, Ali begins to breakdown each exercise. The exercises are expertly presented in a way that is easy to grasp. First she lists any prerequisites…many of the movements are progressive in nature so you wouldn’t want to start on the more advanced movement until you nail the fundamentals. Second, if there are props used she tells you exactly how to set them up. Next she tells you step by step HOW to perform the movement. Next are tips and things to keep in mind in order to properly ride the exercise. The exercise might also have variations listed. For example do this exercise in reverse…or change the prescribed gaits, etc. Finally, Ali tells you how each exercise benefits you and the horse.
“Transitions ridden correctly can improve a horse’s engagement and lightness of the forehand. Ensuring straightness helps to correct bad habits of drifting one way that builds more even musculature.”
― Ali Kermeen; The Working Equitation Training Manual
What I found interesting in this book is HOW MUCH goes into the obstacles. In my obstacle course nights I simply set up an obstacle and we went through the motions. Stanley would perform them well (I’m specifically thinking of the rope gate) at first but after a few repetitions he’d get flustered. What I failed to do was approach the obstacle in the broken down steps so he could understand each movement within the obstacle. There’s A LOT of commands for this complex obstacle.
For example…when you get to the rope gate obstacle (Exercise 30) there are TWELVE prerequisites (Three listed but twelve as you dig back to the pre-prerequisites). To go through the swinging gate there are even more steps involved.
I definitely agree with how well these are broken down…I wish I had seen those steps before flustering Stanley but after this book I am well educated and prepared. This book will be ringside on our next obstacle fun day, that I can assure you.
One of my favorite parts of the book is how well Ali explains the movements while demonstrating her strength in the art of dressage. This discipline is dependent on the basic fundamentals of dressage and the obstacles flow better when you and your horse understand the movements. In essence the obstacles are another level of demonstrating your dressage training apart from the dressage test itself; if you don’t have the fundamentals, you won’t complete the obstacles as effectively and your marks will show it.
“When riding the haunches in along the rail, your horse should be looking in the direction he is traveling When riding haunches in, the rider’s outside leg should be back, whick brings the rider’s outside hip slightly back. The rider’s inside leg should be asking for the horse’s rib cage to yield and form the bend.”
― Ali Kermeen; The Working Equitation Training Manual
Final Word:
This is a very well written and carefully thought-out book for ANY person who wants to explore working equitation…. or simply explore obstacles and versatility. From the most basic steps to the more complicated maneuvers Ali covers the movements step by step to help make sure you learn and educate your horse with the right fundamentals. Adults or even some determined kids/teens can appreciate this book as it’s easy to understand and follow along.
Ali’s book is a guide to help you train and achieve success in the Ease of Handling and Speed phases of Working Equitation. She makes sure to reiterate the importance of reading the rulebook, as rules change over time and vary based on region. While the rulebook will tell you information about attire, tack, and other important need-to-know items, Ali works to teach you HOW.
“Take your time in Ease of Handling. It might feel like you are standing still for a long time on the obstacles that require immobility, but you want to give your horse a chance to be balanced in a complete halt before moving around on top of him.”
― Ali Kermeen; The Working Equitation Training Manual
I also want to add that I buy most of my horse books from Trafalgar Square Books. I’m excited to say that I am an affiliate with the publisher, and so proud to be. Trafalgar Square embodies the spirit of horse people…. they ARE horse people. The operation is based in an old barn in Vermont and run by only a few people…people you can talk to and meet in person at events. It’s not a big corporate conglomerate, and for that I am grateful. This happens to be one of such books. You can find your copy through my affiliate link here, it’ll let TSB know I sent you!
The Working Equitation Training Manual: 101 Exercises for Schooling and Competing by Ali Kermeen
Published by Trafalgar Square books, North Pomfret, VT
If you have any questions, comments, or would like further information, please contact:
contact@trafalgarbooks.com / (802) 356 6706
The Green Horseman 
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