How do you introduce a horse to the garrocha and what does the garrocha test in competition?

The garrocha is a long wooden pole — traditionally between three and four meters — used in Iberian working horse tradition to sort and manage cattle, to vault onto horseback, and as a tool in various ranch tasks. In working equitation competition, the garrocha obstacle tests the horse's acceptance of the pole and its movement, and the rider's ability to handle the pole while maintaining complete horse management. Introducing the horse to the garrocha begins on the ground. The pole is shown to the horse and allowed to be investigated, then moved near the horse progressively — first on the ground beside it, then elevated beside and above it, then touching the horse's body. A horse that has been thoroughly desensitized to ropes and flags will typically accept the garrocha with less resistance than an undesensitized horse, because the acceptance of unusual objects near and touching the body is an established behavior. From the saddle, the garrocha is introduced at the halt, with the rider holding the pole vertically while the horse stands. The horse that is calm at halt with the pole is then asked to walk with it, then trot, then canter — progressively confirming the horse's acceptance of the pole's movement and sound at each gait before the next is attempted. In competition, the garrocha obstacle typically requires the rider to pick up the pole from a holder or cone, ride a specified pattern — often including a canter circle — while carrying the pole in a specified position, and replace it in the holder. The horse must maintain its pace and balance despite the unusual object the rider is managing, and the rider must control the pole without allowing it to trail dangerously or affect the horse's movement. Advanced garrocha work includes spinning the pole — rotating it in a circle above the horse's head — which requires both horse acceptance of the moving object overhead and rider skill in pole manipulation while maintaining rein management.