by OutFoxed » Mon Sep 26, 2022 2:03 pm
FALCON RIDGE EVENTING
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Understanding the Phases and Levels of Eventing
Eventing is the combination of three disciplines: Dressage, Cross Country and Show Jumping.
A rider and horse pair must tackle all three phases together in the order of the competition. A rider may have multiple horses entered in the competition, but horses may not have more than one rider at the competition. If either the horse or rider is unable to complete the competition, the remaining partner forfeits the competition.
Often called a Horse Trial or Three Day Eventing - this sport challenges horse and rider to be the best 'jack of all trades' type, able to conquer three styles of riding. It is often called the Triathlon of Horse Sports.
Eventing was first developed in the military to showcase the abilities of the cavalry.
For Three Day Events, Dressage is held the first day, Cross Country run the second, and Show Jumping rounds out the third day. Before competition starts, horses are jogged in front of the judges to assess for lameness and ability to compete. Only horses who are fully sound and well conditioned are allowed to attempt the competition as safety is a priority. After the cross country course and before show jumping, another jog is held to make sure the horse maintains its soundness and shows its ability to successfully compete in the stadium jump. Some large competitions will have two days of dressage tests because only one horse is presented in front of the judge (or panel of judges) at a time and each test takes time to complete.
For lower level Eventing or Horse Trials - Dressage is held first, typically Show Jumping next, and then on to Cross Country, all on the same day or held on two days. Cross country is often held last - if a horse and rider pair are eliminated in either Dressage or Show Jumping, they are not allowed to ride Cross Country. Some events will allow for a schooling ride after the event.
Eventing challenges the horse and rider in three different and unique phases:
Dressage - requires horse and rider to execute precise movements while showcasing an obedient and effortless partnership. The horse should present with supple movements, connection with the rider, and balanced coordination. The rider should present an understanding of the test and maneuvers required, timing and rhythm, and efficient and effective use of the aids.
Cross Country - requires horse and rider to be in top performance as they gallop long stretches of track over natural terrain (grass, gravel, sand, water, dirt, hills, etc.) and the courage to tackle fixed natural type obstacles (logs, ditches, water, banks, drops, etc.). The rider should understand the course and how best to set their horse up for successful attempts at the obstacle questions as well as the horse's individual handling of the route. The horse needs to be confident across the terrain and when attempting obstacle questions. Horse and rider need to be in fit condition to complete the length and amount of jump efforts required and be able to easily recover from the strenuous activity in a safe manner. A vet check
Show Jumping - requires horse and rider to have enough stamina and agility left over from cross country to take on the colorful but flimsy poles as they race the clock to have no faults and the fastest time. It requires near perfection from rider and horse to knock off time without knocking any of the jumps.
Eventing Penalties & Rules
The winner of the Event is determined by a combination of their Dressage, Cross Country, and Show Jumping scores. The goal is to have the least amount of penalties accrued over the three phases.
In Dressage, each movement is given a score out of ten, with the final score showing all the penalties gained - this means the lowest score is the best starting score (this is different from strictly Dressage competitions where the highest score is the best score).
Cross Country penalties are added to the Dressage score which is then added to the Show Jumping penalties - a good goal to have is to be double clear on both the Cross Country phase and Show Jumping phase to finish on your Dressage Score.
Cross Country penalties include: refusals, run-outs, or time faults (coming in under or over the optimum time). Any falls on the course is an immediate elimination. Three Refusals and/or Run-outs causes Elimination from the competition.
Show Jumping penalties include: Knocking rails, Refusing at a jump, or Running out at a jump, as well as time penalties for any time over the set time.
Double Clear means that the horse and rider had no refusals, run-outs, or rails down (first clear) and they had no time penalties (second clear). In tough competitions - sometimes it is a one second time penalty that divides the first and second place pairs.
Multiple horse and rider pairs may be on the Cross Country course at once with time between each. Fence judges are stationed around the course to officiate any refusals, falls, or penalties occurred on course; they state if the entry successfully completed the obstacle; as well as on course in case of an emergency were to happen - they have radio communication to request backup, medical, or other help and have communication if a team needs to wait on course while a hold is called.
If a hold occurs, the teams behind the hold must wait on course without moving forward. They may dismount without penalty or walk/trot on their section of course (without approaching or jumping the obstacles). Holds may be called for medical purposes - if a horse or rider needs evacuation from the course, or while a fence is being repaired due to damage. Holds on course due to severe weather are rare; typically start times will be held before the weather turns too severe until clearer weather and those on course are allowed to finish and should arrive before the weather turns severe. Show Management, Judges, and Technical Delegates determine when and if Holds occur.
The Levels of Eventing
National Levels - USEA
- Beginner Novice/BN: Introduction to Eventing (combining all three phases). USDF Training Level equivalent test (walk, trot, canter, halt, and 20 meter circles). | XC - The maximum obstacle height is 2'7" (.79m), brush fence height 3' (.91m). 14 to 18 obstacles. Length is .8-1.2 miles (1400-2000 meters). Speed is 300-350 mpm (11.2-13 mph) with optimum time being within 4:00-6:40 minutes| SJ - 9 to 11 fences with max height 2'7" (.79m)
- Novice/N: Step up for Green Horse/Riders. USDF Training Level equivalent test (slightly more complicated than BN). | XC - The maximum obstacle height is 2'11" (.90m), brush fence height 3'7" (.1.10m). 16 to 20 obstacles. Length - 1 to 1.4 miles (1600-2200 meters). Speed is 350-400 mpm (13-15 mph) with optimum time being within 4:00-6:17 minutes | SJ 9 to 11 fences with max height 2'11" (.90m)
- Training/T: Starting to test the Pairs eventing skills. USDF First Level Equivalent (movements include lengthening trot and canter, 10 meter trot circle and 15 meter canter circles. The Cross country course incorporates jumps within the water obstacle. The Show Jumping course includes either two double combinations or a triple combination, and may also include a liverpool jump. | XC - The maximum obstacle height is 3'3" (1.00m), brush fence height 3'11 (1.20m). 20 to 24 obstacles. Length - 1.2-1.6 miles (2000-2600 meters). Speed is 420-470 mpm (15.7-17.5 mph) with optimum time being within 4:15-6:11 minutes | SJ 10 to 12 fences with max height 3'3" (1.00m)
- Modified/M: For those transitioning from Training to Preliminary or FEI 1*. USDF First Level components movements (asking for medium trot and canter, leg yielding, and simple lead transitions). The Cross Country course starts incorporating technical questions of the rider and horse. The Show Jumping course includes two double combinations or a double and triple combination as well as riding a more technical route than previous levels. | XC - The maximum obstacle height is 3'5" (1.05m), brush fence height 4'1 (1.25m). 22 to 28 obstacles. Length - 1.4-1.9 miles (2000-2600 meters). Speed is 490 mpm (18.3 mph) with optimum time being within 4:29-6:07 minutes | SJ 10 to 13 fences with max height 3'5" (1.05m)
- Preliminary/Prelim/P: First Upper Level class and path to 2** events. USDF First Level equivalent with second level movements (similar to Modified with the addition of shoulder-in and rein-back). | XC - The maximum obstacle height is 3'7" (1.10m), brush fence height 4'3 (1.30m). 22 to 30 obstacles. Length - 1.4-1.9 miles (2200-3120 meters). Speed is 520 mpm (19.4 mph) with optimum time being within 4:14-6:00 minutes | SJ 11 to 13 fences with max height 3'7" (1.10m)
- Intermediate/I: Difficult course design and set up for 3*** competitions. USDF Second Level equivalent (technical movements such as canter to halt and walk to canter transitions, counter canter, turn on the haunches, and half pass.) | XC - The maximum obstacle height is 3'9" (1.15m), brush fence height 4'5 (1.35m). 26 to 34 obstacles. Length - 1.6-2.2 miles (2600-3575 meters). Speed is 550mpm (20.5 mph) with optimum time being within 4:44-6:29 minutes | SJ 12 to 14 fences with max height 3'11" (1.20m)
- Advanced/A: Most challenging National level for prepared and dedicated horse and rider teams; competitive for 4**** and 5***** international events. USDF Third Level Equivalent (Extension through gaits, half pass at trot and canter, flying lead change.) Cross Country obstacles are expansive and have very technical approaches, some designs to test the horse and rider partnership. | XC - The maximum obstacle height is 3'11" (1.20m), brush fence height 4'7 (1.40m). 32 to 40 obstacles. Length - 2-2.5 miles (3200-3990 meters). Speed is 570 mpm (21.3 mph) with optimum time being within 5:37-7:00 minutes | SJ 13 to 15 fences with max height 3'11" (1.20m)
International Levels
FEI - CCI-L/CCI/Concours Complet International - Follows the Long Format standards at an international level of competition
- CCI-S/CIC/Concours International Combiné - Follows the Horse Trial - Short Format standards at an international level of competition
- One-Star/1* - Intro - Introduction to International Levels | Similar to the Modified Level | USDF First Level components movements. | XC - The maximum obstacle height is 3'5" (1.05m), brush fence height 4'1 (1.25m). 20 to 25 obstacles. Length - 1.2-1.9 miles (2000-3000 meters) at 500 meters per minute with optimum time being between 4:00 to 6:00 minutes.| SJ 10 to 12 fences with max height 3'7" (1.10m).
- Two-Star/2*-S Step up from Prelim level | USDF First Level equivalent with second level movements | XC - The maximum obstacle height is 3'7" (1.10m), brush fence height 4'3 (1.30m). 25 to 30 obstacles. Length - 1.6-1.9 miles (2600-3120 meters). Speed is 520 mpm (19.4 mph) with optimum time being within 5:00-6:00 minutes | SJ 10 to 13 fences with max height 3'9" (1.15m)
- Three-Star/3*-S USDF Second Level equivalent | XC - The maximum obstacle height is 3'9" (1.15m), brush fence height 4'5 (1.35m). 27 to 32 obstacles. Length - 1.9-2.2 miles (3025-3575 meters). Speed is 550mpm (20.5 mph) with optimum time being within 5:30-6:30 minutes | SJ 10 to 14 fences with max height 3'11" (1.20m)
- Four-Star/4*-S USDF Third Level Equivalent | XC - The maximum obstacle height is 3'11" (1.20m), brush fence height 4'7 (1.40m). 30 to 35 obstacles. Length - 2.1-2.5 miles (3420-3990 meters). Speed is 550 mpm (20.5 mph) with optimum time being within 6:00-7:00 minutes | SJ 11 to 15 fences with max height 4'1" (1.25m)
- Two-Star/2*-L USDF First Level equivalent with second level movements | XC - The maximum obstacle height is 3'7" (1.10m), brush fence height 4'3 (1.30m). 25 to 30 obstacles. Length - 2.3-2.9 miles (3640-4680 meters). Speed is 520 mpm (19.4 mph) with optimum time being within 7:00-9:00 minutes | SJ 10 to 13 fences with max height 3'9" (1.15m)
- Three-Star/3*-L USDF Second Level equivalent | XC - The maximum obstacle height is 3'9" (1.15m), brush fence height 4'5 (1.35m). 30 to 35 obstacles. Length - 2.7-3.4 miles (4400-5500 meters). Speed is 550mpm (20.5 mph) with optimum time being within 8:00-10:00 minutes | SJ 10 to 14 fences with max height 3'11" (1.20m)
- Four-Star/4*-L USDF Third Level Equivalent | XC - The maximum obstacle height is 3'11" (1.20m), brush fence height 4'7 (1.40m). 35 to 40 obstacles. Length - 3.5-3.9 miles (5700-6270 meters). Speed is 570 mpm (21.3 mph) with optimum time being within 10:00-12:00 minutes | SJ 11 to 15 fences with max height 4'1" (1.25m)
- Five-Star/5*-L - Riders at least 18 years old | Horses at least 8 years old | Run as a Long Format | USDF Third Level Equivalent | XC - The maximum obstacle height is 3'11" (1.20m), brush fence height 4'9 (1.45m). 40 to 45 obstacles. Length - 3.9-4.3 miles (6270-6840 meters). Speed is 570 mpm (21.3 mph) with optimum time being within 11:00-12:00 minutes | SJ 11 to 16 fences with max height 4'3" (1.3m)
CCI5*-L Recognized Events - FEI World Equestrian Games
- Australian International Three Day Event (Australia)
- Badminton Horse Trials (Britain)
- Burghley Horse Trials (Britain)
- Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA)
- Luhmühlen Horse Trials (Germany)
- Maryland Five Star at Fair Hill (USA)
- Stars of Pau (France)
Classic & Long Format Explained
Before Eventing's Cross Country phase became all about the legendary jumps, it was known as the Endurance Day where horse and rider were tested on their stamina and fitness as they rode several miles before seeing jumps. The older or Classical style can still be found at some events, and contain:
Day 1: Dressage Test
Day 2: Cross Country Test
- Phase A - Roads and Tracks
- Phase B - Steeplechase
- Phase C - Roads and Tracks
- Phase D - Cross Country Obstacles
Day 3: Show Jumping Test
Notable Classifications and Sports - USEA - United States Eventing Association (Eventing Governing body for the United States)
- USEF - United States Equestrian Federation (Governing body for all Sanctioned Equestrian Sports for the United States)
- FEI - Fédération Équestre Internationale (Governing body for all Sanctioned Equestrian Sports for International Competition)
- Junior Rider/JR/J - Under the age of 18. May not compete in classes above Preliminary or Two Star events. To compete in Prelim or 2 Star events, the Junior Rider must be at least 14.
- Young Rider/YR/Y - Between 16 and 21 years of age competing in Prelim and/or Intermediate and up to 3 Star events.
- Young Event Horse/YH/YEH - Novice (4 or 5 years old); Training (4 or 5 years old); Modified (5 or 6 years old); Preliminary (5 or 6 years old); Intermediate (6 or 7 years old); Advanced (6 or 7 years old)
- Future Event Horse/FEH - In hand class for 1-3 year olds | 3 year olds free jump | 4 year olds shown under saddle & free jump at championships. Horses are presented to Judge(s) to check for conformation, then walked on a 15 meter triangle, then trotted on a 30 meter triangle, then presented to the Judge(s).
- Pony/P - Equines under 14.2 HH who are older than 6 years old may compete in Pony Division Classes. Ponies are set in three sections by height. Jump heights and widths are set to pony height divisions.
- U25 - Designated for riders under 25
- Senior/S - Riders above the age of 18; for those who do not categorize in the YR or JR divisions
- Open - not restricted to age or division of horse and/or rider. Anyone may enter
- Arena Eventing - a class seen at non-eventing specific shows that showcase the trials of the cross country phase using natural type obstacles in an arena
- Team Chasing - Teams of Two to Four horse and rider pairs follow in a line around the cross country or show jumping course. All horse and rider pairs of the team must complete each obstacle in any order with time starting when the first rider crosses the starting line and the last rider crosses the finish line. Faults are accrued as a team.
- Point-To-Point/Steeplechase - a multi-horse race across natural terrain tackling mostly hedge or other natural obstacles. Typically about three miles long. The first horse to cross the finish line wins.
- Hunter Pace - Horse and Rider race along a marked trail with optional natural cross country obstacles with the goal to come in at the optimum time. The optimum time is preset and unknown to the competitors until after the competition is finished. The pace should be set to mimic a foxhunt. Horse and riders may complete the course with other horse and rider pairs while competing individually.
- Foxhunting - a traditional sport involving hounds tracking game or drag through the countryside. Rich in history and tradition, requires obedient and brave horses and riders as they ride alongside working hounds and staff over tough and challenging terrain.
Last edited by
OutFoxed on Mon Sep 26, 2022 5:23 pm, edited 2 times in total.
