What Is Eventing? Eventing is best described as an equestrian triathlon. The sport originated as a cavalry test and is comprised of three phases: dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. Eventing tests horse and rider pairs more completely than any other. The first phase - dressage - shows the graceful partnership of horse and rider through a sequence of movements on the flat. The next phase - cross-country – challenges the pair’s bravery, fitness, and determination as combinations navigate a series of solid obstacles and varied terrain. In the final phase - show jumping - pairs must again prove their precision as they clear a course of delicate fences. Competitors accumulate penalty points in each phase, and at the end of the event, the pair with the lowest score takes home top honors. Held over one, two, or three days, eventing is one of the few Olympic sports where men and women compete alongside one another as equals.
The First Phase
Dressage is the first of three phases in eventing competition. From the French word meaning "training," dressage was originally created to show the horse's submission and ability to perform intricate movements required for cavalry exercises. Today's dressage still consists of an exact sequence of movements, but now they are ridden in an enclosed arena and scored by a judge or judges. The goal remains very similar, that horse should demonstrate balance, rhythm, suppleness, and most importantly obedience based on the riders cues or "aids." Dressage is the fundamental training of the sport on which the other two phases are built as it develops the strength and balance for the rigors of cross-country and the preciseness of show jumping. Dressage showcases the ultimate partnership as the rider uses his or her seat, legs, and hands, which are known as the "aids" to communicate silently, making the test look like a seamless performance.
The Second phase
The cross-country phase typically takes place on the second day of competition, but always after the dressage phase. Cross-country is the cornerstone of eventing and proves the speed, endurance, and jumping ability of the horse over varied terrain and solid obstacles. Carrying forward their penalty points from the dressage phase as their score, riders want to finish with the fewest penalties possible by jumping every fence on the first effort and finishing the course within the prescribed time limit, which is known as optimum time. Cross-country features solid fences (15-25 for lower levels and 30-40 for upper levels) as well as natural obstacles such as water, ditches, drops, and banks. The phase is ridden at a gallop with exact speed requirements varied depending on the level of competition.
The Third Phase
The third phase, show jumping, tests horses and riders precision over a series of colorful fences made of lightweight rails which are easily knocked down. This final phase tests the stamina and recovery of the horse after the very tiring cross-country phase. Consisting of 12 to 15 jumps in an enclosed arena, show jumping requires exact riding as the slightest bump could cause a rail to fall, resulting in four penalty points. Like the cross-country phase, scoring is objectively based on a horse's ability to clear each fence on course, though unlike cross-country, the lightweight show jumps fall easily. Knocking a rail or having a refusal or a run-out results in four penalty points. The show jumping round also has a time limit, and every second above that time accumulates more points. The horse and rider combination with the lowest score at the end of the competition will take home the blue ribbon.
GDCTA is an Affiliate of the United States Eventing Association (USEA). 25
