Eventing Explained

(also referred to as Combined Training, CT, or Horse Trial, HT)

Originally a military test, combined training (commonly called eventing) has become an extremely challenging civilian sport, a sort of equestrian triathalon. Over three days, horses are tested in three separate disciplines: dressage, cross-country, and stadium jumping. Success depends upon the horses’ obedience and agility, speed and endurance, and, perhaps most importantly, their courage and willingness. Each horse and rider team must complete all three tests to remain in competition. The dressage penalty score serves as the base, to which any jumping faults or time penalties accrued in the last two phases are added.

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In the dressage test, the horse and rider perform a prescribed series of thirteen to twenty movements. In scoring the test, judges mark the horse for accuracy, balance, fluidity, and obedience. The apparent effortlessness displayed by top riders as they move gracefully through the test is actually the result of countless hours of practice and a carefully developed subtlety of communication with the horse. The lessons and training of dressage become essential building blocks in the event horse’s development, enabling him to use his body effectively and safely in the more physically demanding tests that follow.

The second test is cross-country, a 1500 to 4000 meter gallop through woods and fields with 12 to 40 fixed jumping efforts along the way. Though riders are allowed to walk the course beforehand, horses encounter the daunting obstacles for the first time in competition. As a result, cross country tests not just the horse’s strength and endurance, but also his trust in his rider. Here, a good horse-and-rider relationship and their ability to work as a team are absolutely necessary. While cross-country in many respects poses the greatest challenge, it also offers the greatest sense of exhilaration and achievement. For many, this is what eventing is all about.

Stadium jumping tests whether — after yesterday’s strenuous workout — the horse is still fit and sharp enough to once again display the precision, strength, agility and trust necessary for a clean round. Competitors are faced with a tight course of 8 to 15 jumps whose rails are easily dropped with the nick of a hoof. As event scores are based on penalty points, it is not possible to improve one’s score, only to keep it from getting worse. In the stadium ring, there is no room for careless error: a dropped rail here or a refusal there can send a leader down the ladder, moving other competitors closer to the top. The final standing is not certain until the last horse and rider team has jumped.

The skill and fitness of both horse and rider are essential in this challenging sport, but they alone are no guarantee. Thousands of hours of training are required to develop the talents of horse and rider, and to foster understanding and communication between the two. Ultimately, success depends upon the rider’s dedication to his sport and the horse’s ability and heart.