An Event Horse What makes a horse,

The enigma of an eventer. Ah. While you can quickly make a stereotype of a dressage horse, a show jumper, a racehorse, a polo pony, the same is not true of an event horse.

Many may have found their forte in the horse trials field with a switch from another discipline.

Some are born, some are made, but from physicality and athleticism, the common thread is that of temperament, trust and tenacity for what sets event horses apart, is their heart.

WHAT IS REQUIRED OF AN EVENT HORSE?

A one-day-event consists of three phases something like a triathlon for humans. With the sport having its origins in military training the horse must have an aptitude and willingness for three phases;

The first phase is the dressage test where a horse demonstrates its obedience and suppleness – that it can perform the moves accurately around the dressage arena with a relaxed mind and body – the judge awarding good marks but these are then translated into penalties – eg if the judge gives 7/10 for every move, averaging 70%, the partnership then carries forward 30penalties.

The second phase is the show jumping test where the horse demonstrates its carefulness to jump – penalties are incurred for knock downs or refusals.

The third phase is the cross-country test where the horse and rider travel at speeds of up to 40mph over solid obstacles requiring accuracy, power, speed and bravery. Ditches, water, steps up and down, narrow fences, owl holes and large brush fences that the horse jumps through rather than over are all part of this test. The challenge then, is a horse that’s brave and tough for the cross-country, is still careful enough for the show jumping and calm and relaxed for the dressage. There’s training required to achieve prowess in each phase, but to pull off three good performances in each phase on the same day is an extra challenge.

Some horses bred for dressage have been found to love jumping and cross-country and made the switch to eventing; some horses bred for show jumping are found to not have quite enough scope and power for the highest level but become great event horses, some horses bred for racing have such a good brain and athleticism that they can use their ability to learn dressage, show jumping and crosscountry. Even former polo ponies to native breeds to cobs have found their way to eventing!

Temperament

To adapt to the three phases; the discipline of dressage, the precision of show jumping and the flair of cross-country takes an adaptable brain as well as an adaptable body. Trainability is key – many a talented horse has failed to reach it’s potential because without trainability, event horses are facing a battle.

It takes the talent and patience of the rider to utilise the horse’s conscience for a clear show jumping round, but then for that same combination to still be willing to leap off huge drops, over fences into space, into dark woods, water or gallop through a tunnel of spectators.

This takes a partnership and essentially, trust. It is the partnership built step-bystep that tends to take horses to the pinnacle of the sport. And as evidence of this, few horses switch riders successfully at top level – even a horse with an unblemished record can take time to trust their new rider and make errors which means they lose confidence.

That said, many a professional will say they’ve sold the easiest and best horses on – because they are saleable. While developing, these horses tend to adapt steadily to their new riders or, if they’ve been sold as a schoolmaster, they’ll be competing at a lower level, which they can do with confidence. These remarkable horses teach developing riders and provide them with the experience and confidence they can then imbue into their younger horses, and so they have immense value for riders, and for the sport.

Tenacity

To dig deep, a generous mind, to try, to save, to fight. The tenacity of a successful event horse knows no bounds. The challenge of the traditional long-format three-day-event included an endurance test so arduous that horses would compete in just one such competition every six months.

The ‘long-format’ was tough on the horses, but it’s format of dressage then the speed and endurance test and then the show jumping meant horses had to show they could adapt from a long, galloping, free frame to a collected, careful, power jumping, even when they were stiff and tired from the rigours of the previous day. That order is still used at elite levels, but without a warm up ‘roads and tracks’ or steeplechase section, the ‘short-format’ is akin to taking the ‘long-format’ – from an ultra-marathon to a Tough Mudder event. Still challenging, still intense, the horse now has regular competitions at this level – roughly every six weeks as opposed to every six months and so tenacity still plays a part, to compete, have a few days off, then quickly come back up to peak suppleness, attentiveness and fitness ready for the next test. And at amateur level, the horse will still have to be tough, competing perhaps every week or so throughout the season from March to October!

Physicality

Undoubtedly the two biggest factors in a horse’s career are that of temperament and physicality. To maintain a sound mind is one thing, to maintain a sound body, quite another. The two do go hand in hand – a tense mind leads to a tense body and a tense body, leads to a tense mind. Equally, tension increases the risk of injury, and so the fitness of a horse (and rider), to compete in eventing must not be underestimated. Some horses, typically thoroughbreds, are naturally fit, naturally athletic, but might struggle to be powerful and strong. Others, typically warmbloods, are naturally strong staying calm, mentally.

Fitness

Along with skills training, a large proportion of the event horse’s life is aimed at enhancing their fitness – fitness to perform AND fitness to prevent injury.

The base of fitness work is to ‘harden’ the bones and tendons. Typically this involves walking on hard surfaces (road work), as a young horse aged 4-5yrs and for a period of weeks after any rest period.

From this base, muscle strength is built from working on soft surfaces – whether arena sand or riding on a beach and cardiovascular fitness from hill work to gallop work, giving rise to a complete athlete with the structural, aerobic, cardiovascular, and muscular fitness required.

Work that builds strength without the weight of the rider; long-reining, lungeing, to using a horse-walker or water treadmill are of huge benefit.

But a good rider, who utilises their skill to give a horse the right kind of training, at the right time from their feel in the saddle is invaluable. Considering themselves the horse’s personal trainer they’ll employ dressage exercises to develop relaxation and strength, gridwork for balance, scope, confidence and footwork and fast work to get those airways and blood vessels open. Being an event horse is like joining a health club where the gym, pool, hydrotherapy, yoga, pilates and nutritional support are all on hand! It means even horses are rarely bored as they have a varied diary with daily work, rest and play!

and powerful but need training to be more athletic and supple.

Yet to be a successful event horse they must be like a boxer, powerful yet light and quick on their feet, able to react, physically, while