On the Spirit of Working Equitation
Kimberlee Barker on Ouro and Heather Higgins on Minnie
The 2025 Region One Working Equitation Championships were four days full of riding, friendship, and moments worth remembering. It was a celebration of partnership, community, and the horses at its heart. For three days, I was ringside with my camera, photographing each horse and rider as they stepped into the arena with focus, trust, and heart, built on the partnership and hard work that brought them here.
What made me fall in love with Working Equitation in the first place was that very partnership. This sport blends precision with connection, and every ride tells a story of trust, agility, and communication between horse and rider. At Regionals, those stories played out again and again, each one different, each one deeply personal.
But it wasn’t only what happened in the arena. What struck me most was the community. Riders cheered each other on, offered help when it was needed, and celebrated every step it took to make it here. The effort behind each ride is immense, and it's the shared support that makes Working Equitation so special. It’s a sport built not just on skill, but on generosity of spirit.
The show ended in the best way I could imagine. I spent the last evening of the show in the last light of the day with Heather and Kimberlee and their Lusitanos, Minnie and Ouro. In the golden light, we laughed, got creative, and ended the show in a way that felt true to the whole weekend with connection, gratitude, and the kind of tired that only comes from spending days doing what you love.