WHAT IS EVENTING

Also known as "Horse Trials" , this demanding sport is comprised of 3 phases: dressage, cross country, and show jumping. The same rider and horse must compete in all 3 phases. Scores from the phases are combined so the winner is the rider with the best overall score.

Dressage: The first phase is always dressage, a series of suppling and strengthening exercises performed in a flat, enclosed arena. Dressage develops the horse’s submission and responsiveness to perform a pattern of intricate movements. This is the fundamental training of the sport upon which the two jumping phases are built.

Cross-Country: Cross-country is the cornerstone of Eventing, and tests the speed, endurance, boldness and jumping ability of the horse over varied terrain and solid obstacles. The jumps may be natural obstacles such as water, banks, ditches and drops. Cross-country is ridden at a gallop with speed requirements dependent upon the level of difficulty of the division.

Show Jumping: This phase tests the same horse and rider’s precision over a course of brightly painted fences with rails that can easily be knocked down. Show jumping tests the stamina, precision, and recovery of the horse.