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| What is Eventing? Eventing is a three stage competition that consists of dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. Dressage Dressage (a French term meaning "training") is a form of competitive horse training, with competitions held at all levels from amateur to Olympic. Its fundamental purpose is to develop, through standardized progressive training methods, a horse's natural athletic ability and willingness to perform, thereby maximizing its potential as a riding horse. At the peak of a dressage horse's gymnastic development, it can smoothly respond to a skilled rider's minimal aids by performing the requested movement while remaining relaxed and effortless. For this reason, dressage is occasionally referred to as "Horse Ballet." Although the discipline has its roots in classical Greek horsemanship, dressage was first recognized as an important equestrian pursuit during the Renaissance in Western Europe. The great European riding masters of that period developed a sequential training system that has changed little since then and is still considered the basis of modern dressage. Early European aristocrats displayed their horses' training in equestrian pageants, but in modern dressage competition, successful training at the various levels is demonstrated through the performance of "tests," or prescribed series of movements within a standard arena. Judges evaluate each movement on the basis of an objective standard appropriate to the level of the test and assign each movement a score from zero to ten - zero being "not executed" and 10 being "excellent." A score of 9 (or "very good") is considered a particularly high mark. The dressage phase (held first) comprises an exact sequence of movements ridden in an enclosed arena (usually 20 x 40 meters). The test is judged by one or more judges who are looking for balance, rhythm and suppleness and most importantly, obedience of the horse and its harmony with the rider. The challenge is to demonstrate that a supremely fit horse, capable of completing the cross country phase on time, also has the training to perform in a relaxed and precise manner. At the highest level of competition, the dressage test may ask for half-pass, shoulder-in, haunches-in, collected, medium and extended gaits, flying changes, and counter-canter. The tests may not ask for Grand Prix movements such as piaffe or passage. Each movement in the test is scored on a scale from 0 to 10, with a score of "10" being the highest possible mark. Therefore, if one movement is executed terribly, it is still possible for a rider to get a good score if he reorganizes and does well in the following movements. The good marks are added together, minus any errors on course, and rounded to two decimal digits. The scores of all the judges (if more than one judge is present) are averaged to two decimal points. To convert this score to penalty points, the average is subtracted from 100 and the final figure is multiplied by 1.5. >> All four feet of the horse exit the arena during the test: Elimination >> The horse resists more than 20 seconds during the test: Elimination >> Errors on course: >> 1st Error = minus 2 marks >> 2nd Error = minus 4 marks >> 3rd Error = minus 6 marks >> 4th Error = Elimination Cross-Country The next phase, cross-country, requires both horse and rider to be in excellent shape and to be brave and trusting of each other. This phase consists of approximately 12-20 fences (lower levels), 30-40 at the higher levels, placed on a long outdoor circuit. These fences consist of very solidly built natural objects (telephone poles, stone walls, etc.) as well as various obstacles such as ponds and streams, ditches, drops and banks - based on objects that would commonly occur in the countryside. The course is usually several miles long. This phase is timed, with the rider required to cross the finish line within a certain time frame (optimum time). Crossing the finish line after the allowed time results in penalties for each second late. Penalties are also incurred if the horse refuses to jump a fence or if the rider falls off. The penalties for refusals or falls on cross-country are so severe that it is extremely difficult to finish in a top position if the rider suffers such fate. Fitness is required as the time allowed will require a strong canter at the lower levels, to a steady gallop at the higher events. Unlike 1-day events, 3-day events also include Phases A, B, and C along with Cross Country (Phase D). Phases A and C, Roads and Tracks, are several miles long and usually ridden at a trot to make the time. Phase B, Steeplechase, is a very fast gallop over several Steeplechase-like fences. All four phases together require an extremely fit horse at the top level of the sport. Before embarking on Phase D horses must be presented before a vet who checks that they are sound and their heart rate has recovered sufficiently whilst in the "ten-minute box". Scoring: >> Refusal, run-out, or circle at an obstacle: 20 penalties >> Second Refusal, run-out, circle at the same obstacle: 40 penalties >> Third Refusal, run-out, circle at the same obstacle: Elimination >> Fifth Refusal, run-out, circle on the entire Cross-Country course: Elimination >> First fall of rider: 65 penalties >> Second fall of rider: Elimination >> Fall of horse (shoulder or hip touches the ground): Mandatory Retirement >> Exceeding Optimum Time: 0.4 penalties per second >> Exceeding the Time Limit (twice the optimum time): Elimination Other Faults: >> Competing with improper saddlery: Elimination >> Jumping without without headgear or a properly fastened harness: Elimination >> Error of course not rectified: Elimination >> Omission of obstacle: Elimination >> Jumping an obstacle in the wrong order: Elimination >> Jumping an obstacle in the wrong direction: Elimination >> Retaking an obstacle already jumped: Elimination Veterinary Inspection Before the last phase, horses are inspected by a vet to ensure that they have not incurred any injuries as a result of their exertions on the previous day. It is usually a very formal affair, with the horses braided and well-groomed, and the riders dressing up. It is also a very nerve-racking time, as the "pass" or "fail" determines whether the horse may continue on to the final phase. Show Jumping The last phase, showjumping, tests the technical jumping skills of the horse and rider, including the suppleness, obedience, and jumping ability of the horse, as well as their fitness. In this phase, 12-20 fences are set up in a ring. These fences are brightly colored and consist of poles set in shallow cups. If the horse and rider are not in adequate shape or do not have the technical skill, then they will knock down the poles, incurring penalties. This phase is also timed, with penalties being given for every second over the required time. In addition to normal jumping skills, eventing showjumping tests the fitness of the horse and rider, generally being held after the cross country phase so the horse and rider will both be tired. Equitation courses are designed to test the skills of the rider. In an equitation class, the rider is judged on his own and his horse's performance over the course, including correct takeoff distance, accurate lines and turns, form and style, and maintenance of an even pace over the entire course. The rider must be both smooth and effective, with aids as subtle as possible. Equitation courses may be held over hunter or jumper style obstacles, including verticles and spreads of to 3'6", one or more combinations and at least two changes of direction. Course designers include tests of technical ability (related distances, bending lines, and combinations, precision (narrow fences), and control (ability to lengthen and shorten strides smoothly, to ride a specific line, and to turn accurately). The horse is expected to be on the correct lead in all turns, so ability to land in the correct lead and execute a smooth flying change is important. Scoring: >> Knocking down an obstacle: 4 penalties >> First Disobedience (refusal, run-out, circle): 4 penalties >> Second Disobedience in the whole test: 8 penalties >> Third Disobedience in the whole test: Elimination >> First Fall of rider: 8 penalties >> Second Fall of rider: Elimination >> First fall of horse: Mandatory Retirement >> Exceeding the time allowed: 1 penalty per second >> Jumping an obstacle in the wrong order: Elimination >> Error of course not rectified: Elimination The winner is the horse and rider with the fewest penalties. Ribbons and prizes are usually presented while mounted, before the placegetters take a lap of honour around the arena. |
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