Eventing
A Guide to the Three-Day Eventing Elements of Dressage Cross-Country
and Show Jumping
sh
ar
a r
ut
be
rg
Tips on choosing the perfect pair based on comfort
safety and style
Visit MyHorseDailycom Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
A Note From The Editor
Here at MyHorse Daily we are committed to bringing you the latest information designed to keep you and your horse healthy happy and productive
Enjoy the read
Amy Herdy Managing Editor MyHorse Daily
Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
3
a true ldquoequestrian triathlonrdquo three-day eventing (or simply ldquoeventingrdquo) was de-veloped from the test of the ideal military or cavalry mount Over the last century it has evolved into an exciting sport attract-ing all levels of enthusiasts from weekend
hobby riders to professional international stars It is the ultimate challenge to prepare a horse for
this rigorous test Unlike other sports where only the human will and body are pitted against the clock in eventing two minds and bodies work as one As an additional attraction eventing is the only high-risk Olympic sport where men and women compete as equals with no separate divisions Some of the top riders in the world today are women from all over the globe
The sport itself involves working with a horse both on the flat and over fences in three distinct phases of competition These phases are dressage cross-countryendurance and show jumping
Day One DressageThe dressage phase begins every eventing competition In French dressage means ldquotrainingrdquo Originally de-signed to show the horsersquos ability to perform intricate movements on the parade involved with reviewing troops today the dressage test comprises a set series of movements performed in an enclosed arena Precision smoothness suppleness and complete obedience show off the horsersquos obedience Ideally the horse appears to perform the testrsquos movements of its own accord working in harmony with its rider The test is scored on each movement rather like the scoring of the com-pulsories in figure skating with the overall harmony
Adapted from articles on wwwdiscovereventingcom with permission of the United States Eventing Association
Want to learn more about eventing
Herersquos a primer on this challenging equestrian sport with expert tips about choosing your first mount
Co
ur
te
sy
us
ea
Dressage is judged on a horsersquos performance of a set series of movements
Visit MyHorseDailycom Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
44
and precision of the test taken into consideration
Dressage is also very important to the three-day event horse because it helps develop the muscular strength and sup-pleness needed for the other two phases of competition cross-countryendurance and show jumping where the horse must be very fit and strong and able to lengthen and shorten stride at a gallop
The purpose of the dressage test is to demonstrate the level of communication between the horse and rider and display the power and grace required to perform each movement with balance rhythm and suppleness Due to the demands of the sport the three-day event horse is extremely fit and only well-schooled rid-ers possess the skills and strength needed to harness and direct that energy into a polished and powerful performance
Day Two Cross-CountryEnduranceThe cross-country test takes place on the second day of competi-tion The object of this test is to prove the speed endurance and jumping ability of the horse over varied terrain and obstacles In order to accomplish this task the horse and rider must be at peak condition The horse must be brave and obedient and the rider must use knowledge of pace in order to expend only as much of the horsersquos energy as necessary if they are to finish well
The cross-country course covers approximately 275 to 4 miles along which sit 20-40 fixed and solid obstacles This phase is ridden at a gallop with exact speed requirements depending upon the level of competition Cross-country courses require horses and riders to be bold and smart while testing their physical stamina The aim of each horse-
and-rider combination must be to com-plete the course on time and with as few penalties as possible Penalties can be accrued through jumping errors (such as when the horse refuses or runs out at an obstacle the rider falls off on course etc) or by exceeding the optimum time allowed
Whereas cross-country is the focus on the second day of the so-called ldquoshort-formatrdquo (or ldquomodified-formatrdquo) event which is the most typical type of event-ing competition itrsquos only one part of the second phase in the older more tradi-tional ldquolong-formatrdquo (or ldquoclassic formatrdquo) event
In a long-format event this leg of the competition is called ldquoendurance dayrdquo and consists of the following four sub-phasesbull Phase A Roads and Tracks This is
Three-Day Event
vs Horse Trials
According to the USEA horse trials are competitions run over one two or three days under the rules of a countryrsquos national federation (in America that means the United States Equestrian Federation)
Three-day events are com-petitions run under Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) rules and denoted by an asterisk (as in CCI-CCI) Today the CIC (Concours International Combineacute) level is shorter in length and slower in speed and is used primarily to qualify for the CCI (Concours Complet International) level
A CCI must run one phase on each day and in the proper order whereas a CIC can run multiple phases in one day In horse trials there is no rule about the order in which the phases are run as long as dres-sage comes first
At unrecognized events or horse trials the phases can fall in any order that suits the management the competitors and their schedules
A dressage test such as those seen at Rolex Kentucky should demonstrate power and grace
sh
ar
a r
ut
be
rg
Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
55
considered a ldquowarm-uprdquo phase It is a mix of trotcanter and is 220mpm over about 3000 meters (depending on the level)
bull Phase B Steeplechasebull Phase C Roads and Tracks again
This one is longer closer to 5000 meters but is done at the same pace at Phase A
bull Phase D Cross-country This is the same as in a short-format event
bull There is a 10-minute vet check between C amp D Interestingly the long-format event
still exists only in America and is no longer recognized by equestrian sportrsquos international governing body the Federation Equestre Internationale which technically makes it a ldquohorse trialsrdquo (see sidebar)
Like most cross-country obstacles this fence at the Rocky Mountain Horse Trials presents different challenges than a show-ring jump
sh
ar
a r
ut
be
rg
How Good Riders Get GoodDenny Emerson
What do excellent riders possess that most do not This is a question that many ask but few have explored the sport of riding horses for an answer Denny Emerson an internationally known rider and one of the The Chronicle of the Horsersquos ldquo50 most influential horsemen of the Twentieth
Centuryrdquo has devoted years to thinking about this He has drawn the conclusion that there are seven factors that relate to becoming a world-class rider personal drive life circumstances support network knowledge physical skill character traits and the horse Hardcover 252 pages with 60 photos $2995 ZF690
Horse ProfilingThe Secret to Motivating Equine Athlete
While following wild horse herds in Wyoming and Montana independent researcher Kerry Thomas realized that it is inside the horse and not what is outside that governs herd dynamics He determined that this was the basis for everything horsemdashwhatever role a horse plays in a human environment whatever his breed sport or ldquojobrdquo his emotional conformation dictates in large part his success or failure
Thomas identified a system of emotional profiling that enables him to determine a horsersquos performance tendencies and then began to develop ways in which horses can be mentally conditioned toward a given goal
Hardcover 184 pages $2995 ZF755
The Eighty-Dollar Champion November 1958 the National Horse Show at
Madison Square Garden in New York City Into the rarefied atmosphere of wealth and tradition come the most unlikely of horsesmdasha drab white former plow horse named Snowmanmdashand his rider Harry de Leyer They were the longest of all longshotsmdashand their win was the stuff of legend
ZF740 $2600
1-800-952-5813 (shipping + tax addtrsquol)
Shop Now
Visit MyHorseDailycom Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
6
Eventing starts with choosing the right horse to partner you in entry-level competition
Your first event horse doesnrsquot need an extended trot that will score a 10 in dressage he doesnrsquot need to be able to gallop forever He needs to be fun to ride and fun to be around able to carry you safely and com-fortably around your first few entry-level events both in and (especially) out of the ring Donrsquot worry about your competitive results at this stage because your goal is to learn the sport
Your first event horse crossties stands politely for the vet and farrier loads easily and tacks up without problems Any horse that is unpredictable to work around in his stall or that kicks or rears is totally unacceptable
Under saddle your horse needs to have reasonable aptitude for the three different sports that make eventing such a unique challenge
Dressage starts with three good gaits I want to see a smooth free swinging walk I donrsquot want to see a choppy stride or a ten-dency for the horse to stub his toe or look ungenerous I want him to track upmdashthat is his hind foot should step ahead of the foot-print of the forefoot on the same sidemdashand I want to hear a steady rhythmic 1-2-3-4 with no obvious irregularities
The trot needs to be a cadenced 1-2 1-2 that covers the ground comfortably and attractively When you watch the horse being ridden his knee action shouldnrsquot bring a sewing machine to mind When you ride him he should be willing to maintain the trot in response to a mini-mal amount of pressure from your lower leg and heel
Yoursquore also looking for a horse with a regular clock-like three-beat canter For your level of eventing look for a horse who will hold himself in that canter You should not need a
death grip on the reins to prevent his speeding up and you should not need stick and spurs just to keep him cantering (again a little lower leg is OK)
In addition to three good gaits if your horse takes both leads steers well (turning easily in both directions) accepts the bit well and maintains a consistent head and neck position with the front of his face just ahead of the vertical he has the basic ingredients you need for the entry-level dres-sage tests
The cross-country phase is something new for the many riders whorsquove never ridden outside a ring before so itrsquos important to begin with a horse thatrsquos safe and sensible in the open If yoursquore trying out an event prospect for purchase be sure to arrange to take him out for a trot and canter along trails through the woods around open fields across rolling terrain and (if possible) through shallow water He needs to accept these situations as a matter of course
As an athlete the horse doesnrsquot need to be able to achieve racehorse fitness he does need to be able (with proper conditioning) to slow-canter twice the distance hersquoll cover cross-country with a short rest in the middle
In entry-level show jumping yoursquore more interested in riding a safe jumper than a clean jumper so the elements yoursquoll look for in jumping form are the things that most affect safety over fences When you watch him being ridden notice whether he invariably lifts his knees when he jumps A horse that jumps
with his knees lower than his elbows is not a good prospect because this form is unsafe Another grave fault If he jumps with one leg up and one hanging itrsquos a sign that he loses his balance off the ground making him unsafe for anyone to ride over fences
When you ride him over jumps you are looking once
Your First Event Horse
Go with a horse thatrsquos safe and sensible out-side of the ring or arena
Good gaits are a must especially in dressage
Co
ur
te
sy
of
us
ea
Co
ur
te
sy
of
us
ea
Adapted from the book ldquoCross Country with Jim Woffordrdquo by Jim Wofford (a compilation of Woffordrsquos articles from Practical Horseman magazine available at wwwhorsebooksetccom)
Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
7
Day Three Show JumpingThe third and final test at a three-day event takes place in the show-jumping arena A show-jumping course consists of a series of colored fences usually made up of lightweight rails that are easily knocked down The test takes place in an enclosed ring and the course must be ne-gotiated in order for the horse and rider to successfully complete the event This final phase tests the stamina and recov-ery of the horse after the cross-countryendurance phase and shows that it is fit enough to continue work
According to the FEI rule book ldquoThe test on the third day is not an ordinary show jumping competition hellip its sole object is to demonstrate that on the day after a severe test of endurance the horses have retained the suppleness energy and obedi-ence necessary for them to con-tinue in servicerdquo
The show jumping course requires very exact riding it consists of between 12 and 15
show jumping obstacles which normally include at least one combination two spread fences and in some cases a ditch
The courses are designed to test the horsersquos and riderrsquos ability to negotiate a variety of fences of differing heights widths and technicality This requires the horse to be balanced and supple for tight turns and short distances between fences He must be able to lengthen or shorten his stride in an instant Therefore the rider must know exactly where he is on the approach to a fence with an obedi-ent horse that will respond to his com-mands For the spectator this sport is both exciting and breathtaking to watch
more for regularity of pace You want to be able to canter up to a small fence jump it and then canter away at the same speed
If you already have a horse with which yoursquod like to try eventing and if he has comfortable gaits and is a safe jumper yoursquoll probably be able to get started in the sport with him (His dressage may be a work in progress for a while but as it improves yoursquoll also experience a payback in the other phases)
If yoursquore shopping for your first event horse where should you look A young racetrack reject is not a suitable candidate if yoursquore just learning the sport donrsquot take on a green horse as a project A better prospect is the experienced older eventing horse that is out of a job because his rider has gone off to college Hersquos likely to be offered at a reasonable price because hersquos no longer young His vet bills may be higher but he has a lot to teach you
I like Quarter Horses for entry-level eventing and I like older warmbloods whorsquove been around the block Of course anyone who knows me knows my personal fond-ness for Thoroughbreds I donrsquot steer entry-level riders away from this wonderful breed but I do sug-gest you look for a Thoroughbred who no longer wants to be first out of the starting gate
Jim Wofford has represented the US in eventing at three Olympics and two World Championships he has won the US National Championship five times on five different horses As a coach he has had at least one student on every US Olympic World Championship and Pan American team since 1978 He is a regular col-umnist for Practical Horseman maga-zine and the author of four books
Precision is key in show jumping as one rail down can make a difference in the final standings
C
ou
rt
es
y o
f u
se
aC
ou
rt
es
ty
of
us
ea
Visit MyHorseDailycom8
Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
8
CreditsEventing A Guide to the Three-Day Eventing Elements of Dressage Cross-Country and Show Jumping
This report is brought to you with the permission of the United States Eventing Association and by the editors of Practical Horseman magazine
as just one single rail knocked down can change the final standings dramatically
At the end of the competition scores for all the competitors are totaled Each test is scored individually and the penal-ties accrued are added together for the final results The lowest score is the win-ning score In the case of a team competi-tion the individual scores of each of the team members are added together If all team members have completed the com-petition the best three scores count and the team with the lowest team total is pronounced the winner
The Levels of EventingWith its variation in levels and difficulty and wide range of competitions available
all across the country eventing is a sport that provides competitive and recreation-al opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds as well as horses of all levels of training
Even if you have been competing in other equestrian sports for a long time it is still a good idea to start at the Beginner Novice Level Going to your first event is stressful enough so by having the jumps low and dressage tests relatively straight-forward you will be able to get your bear-ings in a less intense environment
Generally speaking there are six levels of eventing competition in the United States with international events having levels designated by the star system For more information visit useventingcom
bull VisitMyHorseDailycomfordailyarticlesonallthingshorses
bull SubscribetoMyHorse Dailyandweeklye-newslettersfreehow-tovideostipsandmuchmore
bull PerusehundredsofhorsebooksandDVDsatourstoreHorseBooksEtccom
PR
AC
TICA
L HO
RS
EMA
N
Spe
cial Eve
nting Issue
MAY
2012
Clark Montgomery and Universe
79 Cool Fashions and Hot Products for Every Budget
Expert how-to for English riders
May 2012
Build a Foundation for
Horse-Sale Commission Questions Answered
IN PERSPECTIVE
Clark Montgomery GOALS
EHV-1 Is Your Horse at RISK
WOFFORDrsquoS TAKE ON CURRENT TRENDS
SHARPEN STADIUM Katie Monahan Prudent
with
SKILLS
PERFORMANCE
SPECIALEVENTING
ISSUE
HIGHER DRESSAGEamp X-C
KEEPING OLYMPIC
Explanation of levels
Level Dressage Cross-Country Show Jumping
Beginner Beginner Novice A Distance ndash 1400-2000m Speed ndash 300mpm Novice Beginner Novice B Speed ndash 300-350 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash14-18 Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo (3rsquo Brush)
Novice Novice A Distance ndash 1600-2200m Speed ndash 320mpm Novice B Speed ndash 350-400 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash16-20 Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo (3rsquo7rdquo Brush)
Training Training A Distance ndash 2000-2600m Speed ndash 325mpm Training B Speed ndash 420-470 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash10-12 Number of Obstaclesndash20-24 Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo (3rsquo11rdquo Brush)
Preliminary Preliminary A Distance ndash 2200-3300m Speed ndash 350mpm Preliminary B Speed ndash 520 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash11-13 Preliminary C Number of Obstaclesndash22-30 Height ndash 3rsquo7rdquo
Intermediate Intermediate A Distance ndash 2600-3800m Speed ndash 350mpm Intermediate B Speed ndash 550 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash12-14 Number of Obstaclesndash26-34 Height ndash 3rsquo11
Advanced Advanced A Distance ndash 3200-4400m Speed ndash 375 mpm Advanced B Speed ndash 570 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash13-15 Height ndash 3rsquo11 (4rsquo7rdquo Brush) Height ndash 4rsquo1rdquo
Visit MyHorseDailycom Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
A Note From The Editor
Here at MyHorse Daily we are committed to bringing you the latest information designed to keep you and your horse healthy happy and productive
Enjoy the read
Amy Herdy Managing Editor MyHorse Daily
Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
3
a true ldquoequestrian triathlonrdquo three-day eventing (or simply ldquoeventingrdquo) was de-veloped from the test of the ideal military or cavalry mount Over the last century it has evolved into an exciting sport attract-ing all levels of enthusiasts from weekend
hobby riders to professional international stars It is the ultimate challenge to prepare a horse for
this rigorous test Unlike other sports where only the human will and body are pitted against the clock in eventing two minds and bodies work as one As an additional attraction eventing is the only high-risk Olympic sport where men and women compete as equals with no separate divisions Some of the top riders in the world today are women from all over the globe
The sport itself involves working with a horse both on the flat and over fences in three distinct phases of competition These phases are dressage cross-countryendurance and show jumping
Day One DressageThe dressage phase begins every eventing competition In French dressage means ldquotrainingrdquo Originally de-signed to show the horsersquos ability to perform intricate movements on the parade involved with reviewing troops today the dressage test comprises a set series of movements performed in an enclosed arena Precision smoothness suppleness and complete obedience show off the horsersquos obedience Ideally the horse appears to perform the testrsquos movements of its own accord working in harmony with its rider The test is scored on each movement rather like the scoring of the com-pulsories in figure skating with the overall harmony
Adapted from articles on wwwdiscovereventingcom with permission of the United States Eventing Association
Want to learn more about eventing
Herersquos a primer on this challenging equestrian sport with expert tips about choosing your first mount
Co
ur
te
sy
us
ea
Dressage is judged on a horsersquos performance of a set series of movements
Visit MyHorseDailycom Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
44
and precision of the test taken into consideration
Dressage is also very important to the three-day event horse because it helps develop the muscular strength and sup-pleness needed for the other two phases of competition cross-countryendurance and show jumping where the horse must be very fit and strong and able to lengthen and shorten stride at a gallop
The purpose of the dressage test is to demonstrate the level of communication between the horse and rider and display the power and grace required to perform each movement with balance rhythm and suppleness Due to the demands of the sport the three-day event horse is extremely fit and only well-schooled rid-ers possess the skills and strength needed to harness and direct that energy into a polished and powerful performance
Day Two Cross-CountryEnduranceThe cross-country test takes place on the second day of competi-tion The object of this test is to prove the speed endurance and jumping ability of the horse over varied terrain and obstacles In order to accomplish this task the horse and rider must be at peak condition The horse must be brave and obedient and the rider must use knowledge of pace in order to expend only as much of the horsersquos energy as necessary if they are to finish well
The cross-country course covers approximately 275 to 4 miles along which sit 20-40 fixed and solid obstacles This phase is ridden at a gallop with exact speed requirements depending upon the level of competition Cross-country courses require horses and riders to be bold and smart while testing their physical stamina The aim of each horse-
and-rider combination must be to com-plete the course on time and with as few penalties as possible Penalties can be accrued through jumping errors (such as when the horse refuses or runs out at an obstacle the rider falls off on course etc) or by exceeding the optimum time allowed
Whereas cross-country is the focus on the second day of the so-called ldquoshort-formatrdquo (or ldquomodified-formatrdquo) event which is the most typical type of event-ing competition itrsquos only one part of the second phase in the older more tradi-tional ldquolong-formatrdquo (or ldquoclassic formatrdquo) event
In a long-format event this leg of the competition is called ldquoendurance dayrdquo and consists of the following four sub-phasesbull Phase A Roads and Tracks This is
Three-Day Event
vs Horse Trials
According to the USEA horse trials are competitions run over one two or three days under the rules of a countryrsquos national federation (in America that means the United States Equestrian Federation)
Three-day events are com-petitions run under Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) rules and denoted by an asterisk (as in CCI-CCI) Today the CIC (Concours International Combineacute) level is shorter in length and slower in speed and is used primarily to qualify for the CCI (Concours Complet International) level
A CCI must run one phase on each day and in the proper order whereas a CIC can run multiple phases in one day In horse trials there is no rule about the order in which the phases are run as long as dres-sage comes first
At unrecognized events or horse trials the phases can fall in any order that suits the management the competitors and their schedules
A dressage test such as those seen at Rolex Kentucky should demonstrate power and grace
sh
ar
a r
ut
be
rg
Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
55
considered a ldquowarm-uprdquo phase It is a mix of trotcanter and is 220mpm over about 3000 meters (depending on the level)
bull Phase B Steeplechasebull Phase C Roads and Tracks again
This one is longer closer to 5000 meters but is done at the same pace at Phase A
bull Phase D Cross-country This is the same as in a short-format event
bull There is a 10-minute vet check between C amp D Interestingly the long-format event
still exists only in America and is no longer recognized by equestrian sportrsquos international governing body the Federation Equestre Internationale which technically makes it a ldquohorse trialsrdquo (see sidebar)
Like most cross-country obstacles this fence at the Rocky Mountain Horse Trials presents different challenges than a show-ring jump
sh
ar
a r
ut
be
rg
How Good Riders Get GoodDenny Emerson
What do excellent riders possess that most do not This is a question that many ask but few have explored the sport of riding horses for an answer Denny Emerson an internationally known rider and one of the The Chronicle of the Horsersquos ldquo50 most influential horsemen of the Twentieth
Centuryrdquo has devoted years to thinking about this He has drawn the conclusion that there are seven factors that relate to becoming a world-class rider personal drive life circumstances support network knowledge physical skill character traits and the horse Hardcover 252 pages with 60 photos $2995 ZF690
Horse ProfilingThe Secret to Motivating Equine Athlete
While following wild horse herds in Wyoming and Montana independent researcher Kerry Thomas realized that it is inside the horse and not what is outside that governs herd dynamics He determined that this was the basis for everything horsemdashwhatever role a horse plays in a human environment whatever his breed sport or ldquojobrdquo his emotional conformation dictates in large part his success or failure
Thomas identified a system of emotional profiling that enables him to determine a horsersquos performance tendencies and then began to develop ways in which horses can be mentally conditioned toward a given goal
Hardcover 184 pages $2995 ZF755
The Eighty-Dollar Champion November 1958 the National Horse Show at
Madison Square Garden in New York City Into the rarefied atmosphere of wealth and tradition come the most unlikely of horsesmdasha drab white former plow horse named Snowmanmdashand his rider Harry de Leyer They were the longest of all longshotsmdashand their win was the stuff of legend
ZF740 $2600
1-800-952-5813 (shipping + tax addtrsquol)
Shop Now
Visit MyHorseDailycom Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
6
Eventing starts with choosing the right horse to partner you in entry-level competition
Your first event horse doesnrsquot need an extended trot that will score a 10 in dressage he doesnrsquot need to be able to gallop forever He needs to be fun to ride and fun to be around able to carry you safely and com-fortably around your first few entry-level events both in and (especially) out of the ring Donrsquot worry about your competitive results at this stage because your goal is to learn the sport
Your first event horse crossties stands politely for the vet and farrier loads easily and tacks up without problems Any horse that is unpredictable to work around in his stall or that kicks or rears is totally unacceptable
Under saddle your horse needs to have reasonable aptitude for the three different sports that make eventing such a unique challenge
Dressage starts with three good gaits I want to see a smooth free swinging walk I donrsquot want to see a choppy stride or a ten-dency for the horse to stub his toe or look ungenerous I want him to track upmdashthat is his hind foot should step ahead of the foot-print of the forefoot on the same sidemdashand I want to hear a steady rhythmic 1-2-3-4 with no obvious irregularities
The trot needs to be a cadenced 1-2 1-2 that covers the ground comfortably and attractively When you watch the horse being ridden his knee action shouldnrsquot bring a sewing machine to mind When you ride him he should be willing to maintain the trot in response to a mini-mal amount of pressure from your lower leg and heel
Yoursquore also looking for a horse with a regular clock-like three-beat canter For your level of eventing look for a horse who will hold himself in that canter You should not need a
death grip on the reins to prevent his speeding up and you should not need stick and spurs just to keep him cantering (again a little lower leg is OK)
In addition to three good gaits if your horse takes both leads steers well (turning easily in both directions) accepts the bit well and maintains a consistent head and neck position with the front of his face just ahead of the vertical he has the basic ingredients you need for the entry-level dres-sage tests
The cross-country phase is something new for the many riders whorsquove never ridden outside a ring before so itrsquos important to begin with a horse thatrsquos safe and sensible in the open If yoursquore trying out an event prospect for purchase be sure to arrange to take him out for a trot and canter along trails through the woods around open fields across rolling terrain and (if possible) through shallow water He needs to accept these situations as a matter of course
As an athlete the horse doesnrsquot need to be able to achieve racehorse fitness he does need to be able (with proper conditioning) to slow-canter twice the distance hersquoll cover cross-country with a short rest in the middle
In entry-level show jumping yoursquore more interested in riding a safe jumper than a clean jumper so the elements yoursquoll look for in jumping form are the things that most affect safety over fences When you watch him being ridden notice whether he invariably lifts his knees when he jumps A horse that jumps
with his knees lower than his elbows is not a good prospect because this form is unsafe Another grave fault If he jumps with one leg up and one hanging itrsquos a sign that he loses his balance off the ground making him unsafe for anyone to ride over fences
When you ride him over jumps you are looking once
Your First Event Horse
Go with a horse thatrsquos safe and sensible out-side of the ring or arena
Good gaits are a must especially in dressage
Co
ur
te
sy
of
us
ea
Co
ur
te
sy
of
us
ea
Adapted from the book ldquoCross Country with Jim Woffordrdquo by Jim Wofford (a compilation of Woffordrsquos articles from Practical Horseman magazine available at wwwhorsebooksetccom)
Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
7
Day Three Show JumpingThe third and final test at a three-day event takes place in the show-jumping arena A show-jumping course consists of a series of colored fences usually made up of lightweight rails that are easily knocked down The test takes place in an enclosed ring and the course must be ne-gotiated in order for the horse and rider to successfully complete the event This final phase tests the stamina and recov-ery of the horse after the cross-countryendurance phase and shows that it is fit enough to continue work
According to the FEI rule book ldquoThe test on the third day is not an ordinary show jumping competition hellip its sole object is to demonstrate that on the day after a severe test of endurance the horses have retained the suppleness energy and obedi-ence necessary for them to con-tinue in servicerdquo
The show jumping course requires very exact riding it consists of between 12 and 15
show jumping obstacles which normally include at least one combination two spread fences and in some cases a ditch
The courses are designed to test the horsersquos and riderrsquos ability to negotiate a variety of fences of differing heights widths and technicality This requires the horse to be balanced and supple for tight turns and short distances between fences He must be able to lengthen or shorten his stride in an instant Therefore the rider must know exactly where he is on the approach to a fence with an obedi-ent horse that will respond to his com-mands For the spectator this sport is both exciting and breathtaking to watch
more for regularity of pace You want to be able to canter up to a small fence jump it and then canter away at the same speed
If you already have a horse with which yoursquod like to try eventing and if he has comfortable gaits and is a safe jumper yoursquoll probably be able to get started in the sport with him (His dressage may be a work in progress for a while but as it improves yoursquoll also experience a payback in the other phases)
If yoursquore shopping for your first event horse where should you look A young racetrack reject is not a suitable candidate if yoursquore just learning the sport donrsquot take on a green horse as a project A better prospect is the experienced older eventing horse that is out of a job because his rider has gone off to college Hersquos likely to be offered at a reasonable price because hersquos no longer young His vet bills may be higher but he has a lot to teach you
I like Quarter Horses for entry-level eventing and I like older warmbloods whorsquove been around the block Of course anyone who knows me knows my personal fond-ness for Thoroughbreds I donrsquot steer entry-level riders away from this wonderful breed but I do sug-gest you look for a Thoroughbred who no longer wants to be first out of the starting gate
Jim Wofford has represented the US in eventing at three Olympics and two World Championships he has won the US National Championship five times on five different horses As a coach he has had at least one student on every US Olympic World Championship and Pan American team since 1978 He is a regular col-umnist for Practical Horseman maga-zine and the author of four books
Precision is key in show jumping as one rail down can make a difference in the final standings
C
ou
rt
es
y o
f u
se
aC
ou
rt
es
ty
of
us
ea
Visit MyHorseDailycom8
Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
8
CreditsEventing A Guide to the Three-Day Eventing Elements of Dressage Cross-Country and Show Jumping
This report is brought to you with the permission of the United States Eventing Association and by the editors of Practical Horseman magazine
as just one single rail knocked down can change the final standings dramatically
At the end of the competition scores for all the competitors are totaled Each test is scored individually and the penal-ties accrued are added together for the final results The lowest score is the win-ning score In the case of a team competi-tion the individual scores of each of the team members are added together If all team members have completed the com-petition the best three scores count and the team with the lowest team total is pronounced the winner
The Levels of EventingWith its variation in levels and difficulty and wide range of competitions available
all across the country eventing is a sport that provides competitive and recreation-al opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds as well as horses of all levels of training
Even if you have been competing in other equestrian sports for a long time it is still a good idea to start at the Beginner Novice Level Going to your first event is stressful enough so by having the jumps low and dressage tests relatively straight-forward you will be able to get your bear-ings in a less intense environment
Generally speaking there are six levels of eventing competition in the United States with international events having levels designated by the star system For more information visit useventingcom
bull VisitMyHorseDailycomfordailyarticlesonallthingshorses
bull SubscribetoMyHorse Dailyandweeklye-newslettersfreehow-tovideostipsandmuchmore
bull PerusehundredsofhorsebooksandDVDsatourstoreHorseBooksEtccom
PR
AC
TICA
L HO
RS
EMA
N
Spe
cial Eve
nting Issue
MAY
2012
Clark Montgomery and Universe
79 Cool Fashions and Hot Products for Every Budget
Expert how-to for English riders
May 2012
Build a Foundation for
Horse-Sale Commission Questions Answered
IN PERSPECTIVE
Clark Montgomery GOALS
EHV-1 Is Your Horse at RISK
WOFFORDrsquoS TAKE ON CURRENT TRENDS
SHARPEN STADIUM Katie Monahan Prudent
with
SKILLS
PERFORMANCE
SPECIALEVENTING
ISSUE
HIGHER DRESSAGEamp X-C
KEEPING OLYMPIC
Explanation of levels
Level Dressage Cross-Country Show Jumping
Beginner Beginner Novice A Distance ndash 1400-2000m Speed ndash 300mpm Novice Beginner Novice B Speed ndash 300-350 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash14-18 Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo (3rsquo Brush)
Novice Novice A Distance ndash 1600-2200m Speed ndash 320mpm Novice B Speed ndash 350-400 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash16-20 Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo (3rsquo7rdquo Brush)
Training Training A Distance ndash 2000-2600m Speed ndash 325mpm Training B Speed ndash 420-470 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash10-12 Number of Obstaclesndash20-24 Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo (3rsquo11rdquo Brush)
Preliminary Preliminary A Distance ndash 2200-3300m Speed ndash 350mpm Preliminary B Speed ndash 520 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash11-13 Preliminary C Number of Obstaclesndash22-30 Height ndash 3rsquo7rdquo
Intermediate Intermediate A Distance ndash 2600-3800m Speed ndash 350mpm Intermediate B Speed ndash 550 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash12-14 Number of Obstaclesndash26-34 Height ndash 3rsquo11
Advanced Advanced A Distance ndash 3200-4400m Speed ndash 375 mpm Advanced B Speed ndash 570 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash13-15 Height ndash 3rsquo11 (4rsquo7rdquo Brush) Height ndash 4rsquo1rdquo
Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
3
a true ldquoequestrian triathlonrdquo three-day eventing (or simply ldquoeventingrdquo) was de-veloped from the test of the ideal military or cavalry mount Over the last century it has evolved into an exciting sport attract-ing all levels of enthusiasts from weekend
hobby riders to professional international stars It is the ultimate challenge to prepare a horse for
this rigorous test Unlike other sports where only the human will and body are pitted against the clock in eventing two minds and bodies work as one As an additional attraction eventing is the only high-risk Olympic sport where men and women compete as equals with no separate divisions Some of the top riders in the world today are women from all over the globe
The sport itself involves working with a horse both on the flat and over fences in three distinct phases of competition These phases are dressage cross-countryendurance and show jumping
Day One DressageThe dressage phase begins every eventing competition In French dressage means ldquotrainingrdquo Originally de-signed to show the horsersquos ability to perform intricate movements on the parade involved with reviewing troops today the dressage test comprises a set series of movements performed in an enclosed arena Precision smoothness suppleness and complete obedience show off the horsersquos obedience Ideally the horse appears to perform the testrsquos movements of its own accord working in harmony with its rider The test is scored on each movement rather like the scoring of the com-pulsories in figure skating with the overall harmony
Adapted from articles on wwwdiscovereventingcom with permission of the United States Eventing Association
Want to learn more about eventing
Herersquos a primer on this challenging equestrian sport with expert tips about choosing your first mount
Co
ur
te
sy
us
ea
Dressage is judged on a horsersquos performance of a set series of movements
Visit MyHorseDailycom Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
44
and precision of the test taken into consideration
Dressage is also very important to the three-day event horse because it helps develop the muscular strength and sup-pleness needed for the other two phases of competition cross-countryendurance and show jumping where the horse must be very fit and strong and able to lengthen and shorten stride at a gallop
The purpose of the dressage test is to demonstrate the level of communication between the horse and rider and display the power and grace required to perform each movement with balance rhythm and suppleness Due to the demands of the sport the three-day event horse is extremely fit and only well-schooled rid-ers possess the skills and strength needed to harness and direct that energy into a polished and powerful performance
Day Two Cross-CountryEnduranceThe cross-country test takes place on the second day of competi-tion The object of this test is to prove the speed endurance and jumping ability of the horse over varied terrain and obstacles In order to accomplish this task the horse and rider must be at peak condition The horse must be brave and obedient and the rider must use knowledge of pace in order to expend only as much of the horsersquos energy as necessary if they are to finish well
The cross-country course covers approximately 275 to 4 miles along which sit 20-40 fixed and solid obstacles This phase is ridden at a gallop with exact speed requirements depending upon the level of competition Cross-country courses require horses and riders to be bold and smart while testing their physical stamina The aim of each horse-
and-rider combination must be to com-plete the course on time and with as few penalties as possible Penalties can be accrued through jumping errors (such as when the horse refuses or runs out at an obstacle the rider falls off on course etc) or by exceeding the optimum time allowed
Whereas cross-country is the focus on the second day of the so-called ldquoshort-formatrdquo (or ldquomodified-formatrdquo) event which is the most typical type of event-ing competition itrsquos only one part of the second phase in the older more tradi-tional ldquolong-formatrdquo (or ldquoclassic formatrdquo) event
In a long-format event this leg of the competition is called ldquoendurance dayrdquo and consists of the following four sub-phasesbull Phase A Roads and Tracks This is
Three-Day Event
vs Horse Trials
According to the USEA horse trials are competitions run over one two or three days under the rules of a countryrsquos national federation (in America that means the United States Equestrian Federation)
Three-day events are com-petitions run under Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) rules and denoted by an asterisk (as in CCI-CCI) Today the CIC (Concours International Combineacute) level is shorter in length and slower in speed and is used primarily to qualify for the CCI (Concours Complet International) level
A CCI must run one phase on each day and in the proper order whereas a CIC can run multiple phases in one day In horse trials there is no rule about the order in which the phases are run as long as dres-sage comes first
At unrecognized events or horse trials the phases can fall in any order that suits the management the competitors and their schedules
A dressage test such as those seen at Rolex Kentucky should demonstrate power and grace
sh
ar
a r
ut
be
rg
Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
55
considered a ldquowarm-uprdquo phase It is a mix of trotcanter and is 220mpm over about 3000 meters (depending on the level)
bull Phase B Steeplechasebull Phase C Roads and Tracks again
This one is longer closer to 5000 meters but is done at the same pace at Phase A
bull Phase D Cross-country This is the same as in a short-format event
bull There is a 10-minute vet check between C amp D Interestingly the long-format event
still exists only in America and is no longer recognized by equestrian sportrsquos international governing body the Federation Equestre Internationale which technically makes it a ldquohorse trialsrdquo (see sidebar)
Like most cross-country obstacles this fence at the Rocky Mountain Horse Trials presents different challenges than a show-ring jump
sh
ar
a r
ut
be
rg
How Good Riders Get GoodDenny Emerson
What do excellent riders possess that most do not This is a question that many ask but few have explored the sport of riding horses for an answer Denny Emerson an internationally known rider and one of the The Chronicle of the Horsersquos ldquo50 most influential horsemen of the Twentieth
Centuryrdquo has devoted years to thinking about this He has drawn the conclusion that there are seven factors that relate to becoming a world-class rider personal drive life circumstances support network knowledge physical skill character traits and the horse Hardcover 252 pages with 60 photos $2995 ZF690
Horse ProfilingThe Secret to Motivating Equine Athlete
While following wild horse herds in Wyoming and Montana independent researcher Kerry Thomas realized that it is inside the horse and not what is outside that governs herd dynamics He determined that this was the basis for everything horsemdashwhatever role a horse plays in a human environment whatever his breed sport or ldquojobrdquo his emotional conformation dictates in large part his success or failure
Thomas identified a system of emotional profiling that enables him to determine a horsersquos performance tendencies and then began to develop ways in which horses can be mentally conditioned toward a given goal
Hardcover 184 pages $2995 ZF755
The Eighty-Dollar Champion November 1958 the National Horse Show at
Madison Square Garden in New York City Into the rarefied atmosphere of wealth and tradition come the most unlikely of horsesmdasha drab white former plow horse named Snowmanmdashand his rider Harry de Leyer They were the longest of all longshotsmdashand their win was the stuff of legend
ZF740 $2600
1-800-952-5813 (shipping + tax addtrsquol)
Shop Now
Visit MyHorseDailycom Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
6
Eventing starts with choosing the right horse to partner you in entry-level competition
Your first event horse doesnrsquot need an extended trot that will score a 10 in dressage he doesnrsquot need to be able to gallop forever He needs to be fun to ride and fun to be around able to carry you safely and com-fortably around your first few entry-level events both in and (especially) out of the ring Donrsquot worry about your competitive results at this stage because your goal is to learn the sport
Your first event horse crossties stands politely for the vet and farrier loads easily and tacks up without problems Any horse that is unpredictable to work around in his stall or that kicks or rears is totally unacceptable
Under saddle your horse needs to have reasonable aptitude for the three different sports that make eventing such a unique challenge
Dressage starts with three good gaits I want to see a smooth free swinging walk I donrsquot want to see a choppy stride or a ten-dency for the horse to stub his toe or look ungenerous I want him to track upmdashthat is his hind foot should step ahead of the foot-print of the forefoot on the same sidemdashand I want to hear a steady rhythmic 1-2-3-4 with no obvious irregularities
The trot needs to be a cadenced 1-2 1-2 that covers the ground comfortably and attractively When you watch the horse being ridden his knee action shouldnrsquot bring a sewing machine to mind When you ride him he should be willing to maintain the trot in response to a mini-mal amount of pressure from your lower leg and heel
Yoursquore also looking for a horse with a regular clock-like three-beat canter For your level of eventing look for a horse who will hold himself in that canter You should not need a
death grip on the reins to prevent his speeding up and you should not need stick and spurs just to keep him cantering (again a little lower leg is OK)
In addition to three good gaits if your horse takes both leads steers well (turning easily in both directions) accepts the bit well and maintains a consistent head and neck position with the front of his face just ahead of the vertical he has the basic ingredients you need for the entry-level dres-sage tests
The cross-country phase is something new for the many riders whorsquove never ridden outside a ring before so itrsquos important to begin with a horse thatrsquos safe and sensible in the open If yoursquore trying out an event prospect for purchase be sure to arrange to take him out for a trot and canter along trails through the woods around open fields across rolling terrain and (if possible) through shallow water He needs to accept these situations as a matter of course
As an athlete the horse doesnrsquot need to be able to achieve racehorse fitness he does need to be able (with proper conditioning) to slow-canter twice the distance hersquoll cover cross-country with a short rest in the middle
In entry-level show jumping yoursquore more interested in riding a safe jumper than a clean jumper so the elements yoursquoll look for in jumping form are the things that most affect safety over fences When you watch him being ridden notice whether he invariably lifts his knees when he jumps A horse that jumps
with his knees lower than his elbows is not a good prospect because this form is unsafe Another grave fault If he jumps with one leg up and one hanging itrsquos a sign that he loses his balance off the ground making him unsafe for anyone to ride over fences
When you ride him over jumps you are looking once
Your First Event Horse
Go with a horse thatrsquos safe and sensible out-side of the ring or arena
Good gaits are a must especially in dressage
Co
ur
te
sy
of
us
ea
Co
ur
te
sy
of
us
ea
Adapted from the book ldquoCross Country with Jim Woffordrdquo by Jim Wofford (a compilation of Woffordrsquos articles from Practical Horseman magazine available at wwwhorsebooksetccom)
Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
7
Day Three Show JumpingThe third and final test at a three-day event takes place in the show-jumping arena A show-jumping course consists of a series of colored fences usually made up of lightweight rails that are easily knocked down The test takes place in an enclosed ring and the course must be ne-gotiated in order for the horse and rider to successfully complete the event This final phase tests the stamina and recov-ery of the horse after the cross-countryendurance phase and shows that it is fit enough to continue work
According to the FEI rule book ldquoThe test on the third day is not an ordinary show jumping competition hellip its sole object is to demonstrate that on the day after a severe test of endurance the horses have retained the suppleness energy and obedi-ence necessary for them to con-tinue in servicerdquo
The show jumping course requires very exact riding it consists of between 12 and 15
show jumping obstacles which normally include at least one combination two spread fences and in some cases a ditch
The courses are designed to test the horsersquos and riderrsquos ability to negotiate a variety of fences of differing heights widths and technicality This requires the horse to be balanced and supple for tight turns and short distances between fences He must be able to lengthen or shorten his stride in an instant Therefore the rider must know exactly where he is on the approach to a fence with an obedi-ent horse that will respond to his com-mands For the spectator this sport is both exciting and breathtaking to watch
more for regularity of pace You want to be able to canter up to a small fence jump it and then canter away at the same speed
If you already have a horse with which yoursquod like to try eventing and if he has comfortable gaits and is a safe jumper yoursquoll probably be able to get started in the sport with him (His dressage may be a work in progress for a while but as it improves yoursquoll also experience a payback in the other phases)
If yoursquore shopping for your first event horse where should you look A young racetrack reject is not a suitable candidate if yoursquore just learning the sport donrsquot take on a green horse as a project A better prospect is the experienced older eventing horse that is out of a job because his rider has gone off to college Hersquos likely to be offered at a reasonable price because hersquos no longer young His vet bills may be higher but he has a lot to teach you
I like Quarter Horses for entry-level eventing and I like older warmbloods whorsquove been around the block Of course anyone who knows me knows my personal fond-ness for Thoroughbreds I donrsquot steer entry-level riders away from this wonderful breed but I do sug-gest you look for a Thoroughbred who no longer wants to be first out of the starting gate
Jim Wofford has represented the US in eventing at three Olympics and two World Championships he has won the US National Championship five times on five different horses As a coach he has had at least one student on every US Olympic World Championship and Pan American team since 1978 He is a regular col-umnist for Practical Horseman maga-zine and the author of four books
Precision is key in show jumping as one rail down can make a difference in the final standings
C
ou
rt
es
y o
f u
se
aC
ou
rt
es
ty
of
us
ea
Visit MyHorseDailycom8
Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
8
CreditsEventing A Guide to the Three-Day Eventing Elements of Dressage Cross-Country and Show Jumping
This report is brought to you with the permission of the United States Eventing Association and by the editors of Practical Horseman magazine
as just one single rail knocked down can change the final standings dramatically
At the end of the competition scores for all the competitors are totaled Each test is scored individually and the penal-ties accrued are added together for the final results The lowest score is the win-ning score In the case of a team competi-tion the individual scores of each of the team members are added together If all team members have completed the com-petition the best three scores count and the team with the lowest team total is pronounced the winner
The Levels of EventingWith its variation in levels and difficulty and wide range of competitions available
all across the country eventing is a sport that provides competitive and recreation-al opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds as well as horses of all levels of training
Even if you have been competing in other equestrian sports for a long time it is still a good idea to start at the Beginner Novice Level Going to your first event is stressful enough so by having the jumps low and dressage tests relatively straight-forward you will be able to get your bear-ings in a less intense environment
Generally speaking there are six levels of eventing competition in the United States with international events having levels designated by the star system For more information visit useventingcom
bull VisitMyHorseDailycomfordailyarticlesonallthingshorses
bull SubscribetoMyHorse Dailyandweeklye-newslettersfreehow-tovideostipsandmuchmore
bull PerusehundredsofhorsebooksandDVDsatourstoreHorseBooksEtccom
PR
AC
TICA
L HO
RS
EMA
N
Spe
cial Eve
nting Issue
MAY
2012
Clark Montgomery and Universe
79 Cool Fashions and Hot Products for Every Budget
Expert how-to for English riders
May 2012
Build a Foundation for
Horse-Sale Commission Questions Answered
IN PERSPECTIVE
Clark Montgomery GOALS
EHV-1 Is Your Horse at RISK
WOFFORDrsquoS TAKE ON CURRENT TRENDS
SHARPEN STADIUM Katie Monahan Prudent
with
SKILLS
PERFORMANCE
SPECIALEVENTING
ISSUE
HIGHER DRESSAGEamp X-C
KEEPING OLYMPIC
Explanation of levels
Level Dressage Cross-Country Show Jumping
Beginner Beginner Novice A Distance ndash 1400-2000m Speed ndash 300mpm Novice Beginner Novice B Speed ndash 300-350 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash14-18 Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo (3rsquo Brush)
Novice Novice A Distance ndash 1600-2200m Speed ndash 320mpm Novice B Speed ndash 350-400 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash16-20 Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo (3rsquo7rdquo Brush)
Training Training A Distance ndash 2000-2600m Speed ndash 325mpm Training B Speed ndash 420-470 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash10-12 Number of Obstaclesndash20-24 Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo (3rsquo11rdquo Brush)
Preliminary Preliminary A Distance ndash 2200-3300m Speed ndash 350mpm Preliminary B Speed ndash 520 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash11-13 Preliminary C Number of Obstaclesndash22-30 Height ndash 3rsquo7rdquo
Intermediate Intermediate A Distance ndash 2600-3800m Speed ndash 350mpm Intermediate B Speed ndash 550 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash12-14 Number of Obstaclesndash26-34 Height ndash 3rsquo11
Advanced Advanced A Distance ndash 3200-4400m Speed ndash 375 mpm Advanced B Speed ndash 570 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash13-15 Height ndash 3rsquo11 (4rsquo7rdquo Brush) Height ndash 4rsquo1rdquo
Visit MyHorseDailycom Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
44
and precision of the test taken into consideration
Dressage is also very important to the three-day event horse because it helps develop the muscular strength and sup-pleness needed for the other two phases of competition cross-countryendurance and show jumping where the horse must be very fit and strong and able to lengthen and shorten stride at a gallop
The purpose of the dressage test is to demonstrate the level of communication between the horse and rider and display the power and grace required to perform each movement with balance rhythm and suppleness Due to the demands of the sport the three-day event horse is extremely fit and only well-schooled rid-ers possess the skills and strength needed to harness and direct that energy into a polished and powerful performance
Day Two Cross-CountryEnduranceThe cross-country test takes place on the second day of competi-tion The object of this test is to prove the speed endurance and jumping ability of the horse over varied terrain and obstacles In order to accomplish this task the horse and rider must be at peak condition The horse must be brave and obedient and the rider must use knowledge of pace in order to expend only as much of the horsersquos energy as necessary if they are to finish well
The cross-country course covers approximately 275 to 4 miles along which sit 20-40 fixed and solid obstacles This phase is ridden at a gallop with exact speed requirements depending upon the level of competition Cross-country courses require horses and riders to be bold and smart while testing their physical stamina The aim of each horse-
and-rider combination must be to com-plete the course on time and with as few penalties as possible Penalties can be accrued through jumping errors (such as when the horse refuses or runs out at an obstacle the rider falls off on course etc) or by exceeding the optimum time allowed
Whereas cross-country is the focus on the second day of the so-called ldquoshort-formatrdquo (or ldquomodified-formatrdquo) event which is the most typical type of event-ing competition itrsquos only one part of the second phase in the older more tradi-tional ldquolong-formatrdquo (or ldquoclassic formatrdquo) event
In a long-format event this leg of the competition is called ldquoendurance dayrdquo and consists of the following four sub-phasesbull Phase A Roads and Tracks This is
Three-Day Event
vs Horse Trials
According to the USEA horse trials are competitions run over one two or three days under the rules of a countryrsquos national federation (in America that means the United States Equestrian Federation)
Three-day events are com-petitions run under Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) rules and denoted by an asterisk (as in CCI-CCI) Today the CIC (Concours International Combineacute) level is shorter in length and slower in speed and is used primarily to qualify for the CCI (Concours Complet International) level
A CCI must run one phase on each day and in the proper order whereas a CIC can run multiple phases in one day In horse trials there is no rule about the order in which the phases are run as long as dres-sage comes first
At unrecognized events or horse trials the phases can fall in any order that suits the management the competitors and their schedules
A dressage test such as those seen at Rolex Kentucky should demonstrate power and grace
sh
ar
a r
ut
be
rg
Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
55
considered a ldquowarm-uprdquo phase It is a mix of trotcanter and is 220mpm over about 3000 meters (depending on the level)
bull Phase B Steeplechasebull Phase C Roads and Tracks again
This one is longer closer to 5000 meters but is done at the same pace at Phase A
bull Phase D Cross-country This is the same as in a short-format event
bull There is a 10-minute vet check between C amp D Interestingly the long-format event
still exists only in America and is no longer recognized by equestrian sportrsquos international governing body the Federation Equestre Internationale which technically makes it a ldquohorse trialsrdquo (see sidebar)
Like most cross-country obstacles this fence at the Rocky Mountain Horse Trials presents different challenges than a show-ring jump
sh
ar
a r
ut
be
rg
How Good Riders Get GoodDenny Emerson
What do excellent riders possess that most do not This is a question that many ask but few have explored the sport of riding horses for an answer Denny Emerson an internationally known rider and one of the The Chronicle of the Horsersquos ldquo50 most influential horsemen of the Twentieth
Centuryrdquo has devoted years to thinking about this He has drawn the conclusion that there are seven factors that relate to becoming a world-class rider personal drive life circumstances support network knowledge physical skill character traits and the horse Hardcover 252 pages with 60 photos $2995 ZF690
Horse ProfilingThe Secret to Motivating Equine Athlete
While following wild horse herds in Wyoming and Montana independent researcher Kerry Thomas realized that it is inside the horse and not what is outside that governs herd dynamics He determined that this was the basis for everything horsemdashwhatever role a horse plays in a human environment whatever his breed sport or ldquojobrdquo his emotional conformation dictates in large part his success or failure
Thomas identified a system of emotional profiling that enables him to determine a horsersquos performance tendencies and then began to develop ways in which horses can be mentally conditioned toward a given goal
Hardcover 184 pages $2995 ZF755
The Eighty-Dollar Champion November 1958 the National Horse Show at
Madison Square Garden in New York City Into the rarefied atmosphere of wealth and tradition come the most unlikely of horsesmdasha drab white former plow horse named Snowmanmdashand his rider Harry de Leyer They were the longest of all longshotsmdashand their win was the stuff of legend
ZF740 $2600
1-800-952-5813 (shipping + tax addtrsquol)
Shop Now
Visit MyHorseDailycom Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
6
Eventing starts with choosing the right horse to partner you in entry-level competition
Your first event horse doesnrsquot need an extended trot that will score a 10 in dressage he doesnrsquot need to be able to gallop forever He needs to be fun to ride and fun to be around able to carry you safely and com-fortably around your first few entry-level events both in and (especially) out of the ring Donrsquot worry about your competitive results at this stage because your goal is to learn the sport
Your first event horse crossties stands politely for the vet and farrier loads easily and tacks up without problems Any horse that is unpredictable to work around in his stall or that kicks or rears is totally unacceptable
Under saddle your horse needs to have reasonable aptitude for the three different sports that make eventing such a unique challenge
Dressage starts with three good gaits I want to see a smooth free swinging walk I donrsquot want to see a choppy stride or a ten-dency for the horse to stub his toe or look ungenerous I want him to track upmdashthat is his hind foot should step ahead of the foot-print of the forefoot on the same sidemdashand I want to hear a steady rhythmic 1-2-3-4 with no obvious irregularities
The trot needs to be a cadenced 1-2 1-2 that covers the ground comfortably and attractively When you watch the horse being ridden his knee action shouldnrsquot bring a sewing machine to mind When you ride him he should be willing to maintain the trot in response to a mini-mal amount of pressure from your lower leg and heel
Yoursquore also looking for a horse with a regular clock-like three-beat canter For your level of eventing look for a horse who will hold himself in that canter You should not need a
death grip on the reins to prevent his speeding up and you should not need stick and spurs just to keep him cantering (again a little lower leg is OK)
In addition to three good gaits if your horse takes both leads steers well (turning easily in both directions) accepts the bit well and maintains a consistent head and neck position with the front of his face just ahead of the vertical he has the basic ingredients you need for the entry-level dres-sage tests
The cross-country phase is something new for the many riders whorsquove never ridden outside a ring before so itrsquos important to begin with a horse thatrsquos safe and sensible in the open If yoursquore trying out an event prospect for purchase be sure to arrange to take him out for a trot and canter along trails through the woods around open fields across rolling terrain and (if possible) through shallow water He needs to accept these situations as a matter of course
As an athlete the horse doesnrsquot need to be able to achieve racehorse fitness he does need to be able (with proper conditioning) to slow-canter twice the distance hersquoll cover cross-country with a short rest in the middle
In entry-level show jumping yoursquore more interested in riding a safe jumper than a clean jumper so the elements yoursquoll look for in jumping form are the things that most affect safety over fences When you watch him being ridden notice whether he invariably lifts his knees when he jumps A horse that jumps
with his knees lower than his elbows is not a good prospect because this form is unsafe Another grave fault If he jumps with one leg up and one hanging itrsquos a sign that he loses his balance off the ground making him unsafe for anyone to ride over fences
When you ride him over jumps you are looking once
Your First Event Horse
Go with a horse thatrsquos safe and sensible out-side of the ring or arena
Good gaits are a must especially in dressage
Co
ur
te
sy
of
us
ea
Co
ur
te
sy
of
us
ea
Adapted from the book ldquoCross Country with Jim Woffordrdquo by Jim Wofford (a compilation of Woffordrsquos articles from Practical Horseman magazine available at wwwhorsebooksetccom)
Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
7
Day Three Show JumpingThe third and final test at a three-day event takes place in the show-jumping arena A show-jumping course consists of a series of colored fences usually made up of lightweight rails that are easily knocked down The test takes place in an enclosed ring and the course must be ne-gotiated in order for the horse and rider to successfully complete the event This final phase tests the stamina and recov-ery of the horse after the cross-countryendurance phase and shows that it is fit enough to continue work
According to the FEI rule book ldquoThe test on the third day is not an ordinary show jumping competition hellip its sole object is to demonstrate that on the day after a severe test of endurance the horses have retained the suppleness energy and obedi-ence necessary for them to con-tinue in servicerdquo
The show jumping course requires very exact riding it consists of between 12 and 15
show jumping obstacles which normally include at least one combination two spread fences and in some cases a ditch
The courses are designed to test the horsersquos and riderrsquos ability to negotiate a variety of fences of differing heights widths and technicality This requires the horse to be balanced and supple for tight turns and short distances between fences He must be able to lengthen or shorten his stride in an instant Therefore the rider must know exactly where he is on the approach to a fence with an obedi-ent horse that will respond to his com-mands For the spectator this sport is both exciting and breathtaking to watch
more for regularity of pace You want to be able to canter up to a small fence jump it and then canter away at the same speed
If you already have a horse with which yoursquod like to try eventing and if he has comfortable gaits and is a safe jumper yoursquoll probably be able to get started in the sport with him (His dressage may be a work in progress for a while but as it improves yoursquoll also experience a payback in the other phases)
If yoursquore shopping for your first event horse where should you look A young racetrack reject is not a suitable candidate if yoursquore just learning the sport donrsquot take on a green horse as a project A better prospect is the experienced older eventing horse that is out of a job because his rider has gone off to college Hersquos likely to be offered at a reasonable price because hersquos no longer young His vet bills may be higher but he has a lot to teach you
I like Quarter Horses for entry-level eventing and I like older warmbloods whorsquove been around the block Of course anyone who knows me knows my personal fond-ness for Thoroughbreds I donrsquot steer entry-level riders away from this wonderful breed but I do sug-gest you look for a Thoroughbred who no longer wants to be first out of the starting gate
Jim Wofford has represented the US in eventing at three Olympics and two World Championships he has won the US National Championship five times on five different horses As a coach he has had at least one student on every US Olympic World Championship and Pan American team since 1978 He is a regular col-umnist for Practical Horseman maga-zine and the author of four books
Precision is key in show jumping as one rail down can make a difference in the final standings
C
ou
rt
es
y o
f u
se
aC
ou
rt
es
ty
of
us
ea
Visit MyHorseDailycom8
Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
8
CreditsEventing A Guide to the Three-Day Eventing Elements of Dressage Cross-Country and Show Jumping
This report is brought to you with the permission of the United States Eventing Association and by the editors of Practical Horseman magazine
as just one single rail knocked down can change the final standings dramatically
At the end of the competition scores for all the competitors are totaled Each test is scored individually and the penal-ties accrued are added together for the final results The lowest score is the win-ning score In the case of a team competi-tion the individual scores of each of the team members are added together If all team members have completed the com-petition the best three scores count and the team with the lowest team total is pronounced the winner
The Levels of EventingWith its variation in levels and difficulty and wide range of competitions available
all across the country eventing is a sport that provides competitive and recreation-al opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds as well as horses of all levels of training
Even if you have been competing in other equestrian sports for a long time it is still a good idea to start at the Beginner Novice Level Going to your first event is stressful enough so by having the jumps low and dressage tests relatively straight-forward you will be able to get your bear-ings in a less intense environment
Generally speaking there are six levels of eventing competition in the United States with international events having levels designated by the star system For more information visit useventingcom
bull VisitMyHorseDailycomfordailyarticlesonallthingshorses
bull SubscribetoMyHorse Dailyandweeklye-newslettersfreehow-tovideostipsandmuchmore
bull PerusehundredsofhorsebooksandDVDsatourstoreHorseBooksEtccom
PR
AC
TICA
L HO
RS
EMA
N
Spe
cial Eve
nting Issue
MAY
2012
Clark Montgomery and Universe
79 Cool Fashions and Hot Products for Every Budget
Expert how-to for English riders
May 2012
Build a Foundation for
Horse-Sale Commission Questions Answered
IN PERSPECTIVE
Clark Montgomery GOALS
EHV-1 Is Your Horse at RISK
WOFFORDrsquoS TAKE ON CURRENT TRENDS
SHARPEN STADIUM Katie Monahan Prudent
with
SKILLS
PERFORMANCE
SPECIALEVENTING
ISSUE
HIGHER DRESSAGEamp X-C
KEEPING OLYMPIC
Explanation of levels
Level Dressage Cross-Country Show Jumping
Beginner Beginner Novice A Distance ndash 1400-2000m Speed ndash 300mpm Novice Beginner Novice B Speed ndash 300-350 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash14-18 Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo (3rsquo Brush)
Novice Novice A Distance ndash 1600-2200m Speed ndash 320mpm Novice B Speed ndash 350-400 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash16-20 Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo (3rsquo7rdquo Brush)
Training Training A Distance ndash 2000-2600m Speed ndash 325mpm Training B Speed ndash 420-470 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash10-12 Number of Obstaclesndash20-24 Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo (3rsquo11rdquo Brush)
Preliminary Preliminary A Distance ndash 2200-3300m Speed ndash 350mpm Preliminary B Speed ndash 520 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash11-13 Preliminary C Number of Obstaclesndash22-30 Height ndash 3rsquo7rdquo
Intermediate Intermediate A Distance ndash 2600-3800m Speed ndash 350mpm Intermediate B Speed ndash 550 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash12-14 Number of Obstaclesndash26-34 Height ndash 3rsquo11
Advanced Advanced A Distance ndash 3200-4400m Speed ndash 375 mpm Advanced B Speed ndash 570 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash13-15 Height ndash 3rsquo11 (4rsquo7rdquo Brush) Height ndash 4rsquo1rdquo
Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
55
considered a ldquowarm-uprdquo phase It is a mix of trotcanter and is 220mpm over about 3000 meters (depending on the level)
bull Phase B Steeplechasebull Phase C Roads and Tracks again
This one is longer closer to 5000 meters but is done at the same pace at Phase A
bull Phase D Cross-country This is the same as in a short-format event
bull There is a 10-minute vet check between C amp D Interestingly the long-format event
still exists only in America and is no longer recognized by equestrian sportrsquos international governing body the Federation Equestre Internationale which technically makes it a ldquohorse trialsrdquo (see sidebar)
Like most cross-country obstacles this fence at the Rocky Mountain Horse Trials presents different challenges than a show-ring jump
sh
ar
a r
ut
be
rg
How Good Riders Get GoodDenny Emerson
What do excellent riders possess that most do not This is a question that many ask but few have explored the sport of riding horses for an answer Denny Emerson an internationally known rider and one of the The Chronicle of the Horsersquos ldquo50 most influential horsemen of the Twentieth
Centuryrdquo has devoted years to thinking about this He has drawn the conclusion that there are seven factors that relate to becoming a world-class rider personal drive life circumstances support network knowledge physical skill character traits and the horse Hardcover 252 pages with 60 photos $2995 ZF690
Horse ProfilingThe Secret to Motivating Equine Athlete
While following wild horse herds in Wyoming and Montana independent researcher Kerry Thomas realized that it is inside the horse and not what is outside that governs herd dynamics He determined that this was the basis for everything horsemdashwhatever role a horse plays in a human environment whatever his breed sport or ldquojobrdquo his emotional conformation dictates in large part his success or failure
Thomas identified a system of emotional profiling that enables him to determine a horsersquos performance tendencies and then began to develop ways in which horses can be mentally conditioned toward a given goal
Hardcover 184 pages $2995 ZF755
The Eighty-Dollar Champion November 1958 the National Horse Show at
Madison Square Garden in New York City Into the rarefied atmosphere of wealth and tradition come the most unlikely of horsesmdasha drab white former plow horse named Snowmanmdashand his rider Harry de Leyer They were the longest of all longshotsmdashand their win was the stuff of legend
ZF740 $2600
1-800-952-5813 (shipping + tax addtrsquol)
Shop Now
Visit MyHorseDailycom Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
6
Eventing starts with choosing the right horse to partner you in entry-level competition
Your first event horse doesnrsquot need an extended trot that will score a 10 in dressage he doesnrsquot need to be able to gallop forever He needs to be fun to ride and fun to be around able to carry you safely and com-fortably around your first few entry-level events both in and (especially) out of the ring Donrsquot worry about your competitive results at this stage because your goal is to learn the sport
Your first event horse crossties stands politely for the vet and farrier loads easily and tacks up without problems Any horse that is unpredictable to work around in his stall or that kicks or rears is totally unacceptable
Under saddle your horse needs to have reasonable aptitude for the three different sports that make eventing such a unique challenge
Dressage starts with three good gaits I want to see a smooth free swinging walk I donrsquot want to see a choppy stride or a ten-dency for the horse to stub his toe or look ungenerous I want him to track upmdashthat is his hind foot should step ahead of the foot-print of the forefoot on the same sidemdashand I want to hear a steady rhythmic 1-2-3-4 with no obvious irregularities
The trot needs to be a cadenced 1-2 1-2 that covers the ground comfortably and attractively When you watch the horse being ridden his knee action shouldnrsquot bring a sewing machine to mind When you ride him he should be willing to maintain the trot in response to a mini-mal amount of pressure from your lower leg and heel
Yoursquore also looking for a horse with a regular clock-like three-beat canter For your level of eventing look for a horse who will hold himself in that canter You should not need a
death grip on the reins to prevent his speeding up and you should not need stick and spurs just to keep him cantering (again a little lower leg is OK)
In addition to three good gaits if your horse takes both leads steers well (turning easily in both directions) accepts the bit well and maintains a consistent head and neck position with the front of his face just ahead of the vertical he has the basic ingredients you need for the entry-level dres-sage tests
The cross-country phase is something new for the many riders whorsquove never ridden outside a ring before so itrsquos important to begin with a horse thatrsquos safe and sensible in the open If yoursquore trying out an event prospect for purchase be sure to arrange to take him out for a trot and canter along trails through the woods around open fields across rolling terrain and (if possible) through shallow water He needs to accept these situations as a matter of course
As an athlete the horse doesnrsquot need to be able to achieve racehorse fitness he does need to be able (with proper conditioning) to slow-canter twice the distance hersquoll cover cross-country with a short rest in the middle
In entry-level show jumping yoursquore more interested in riding a safe jumper than a clean jumper so the elements yoursquoll look for in jumping form are the things that most affect safety over fences When you watch him being ridden notice whether he invariably lifts his knees when he jumps A horse that jumps
with his knees lower than his elbows is not a good prospect because this form is unsafe Another grave fault If he jumps with one leg up and one hanging itrsquos a sign that he loses his balance off the ground making him unsafe for anyone to ride over fences
When you ride him over jumps you are looking once
Your First Event Horse
Go with a horse thatrsquos safe and sensible out-side of the ring or arena
Good gaits are a must especially in dressage
Co
ur
te
sy
of
us
ea
Co
ur
te
sy
of
us
ea
Adapted from the book ldquoCross Country with Jim Woffordrdquo by Jim Wofford (a compilation of Woffordrsquos articles from Practical Horseman magazine available at wwwhorsebooksetccom)
Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
7
Day Three Show JumpingThe third and final test at a three-day event takes place in the show-jumping arena A show-jumping course consists of a series of colored fences usually made up of lightweight rails that are easily knocked down The test takes place in an enclosed ring and the course must be ne-gotiated in order for the horse and rider to successfully complete the event This final phase tests the stamina and recov-ery of the horse after the cross-countryendurance phase and shows that it is fit enough to continue work
According to the FEI rule book ldquoThe test on the third day is not an ordinary show jumping competition hellip its sole object is to demonstrate that on the day after a severe test of endurance the horses have retained the suppleness energy and obedi-ence necessary for them to con-tinue in servicerdquo
The show jumping course requires very exact riding it consists of between 12 and 15
show jumping obstacles which normally include at least one combination two spread fences and in some cases a ditch
The courses are designed to test the horsersquos and riderrsquos ability to negotiate a variety of fences of differing heights widths and technicality This requires the horse to be balanced and supple for tight turns and short distances between fences He must be able to lengthen or shorten his stride in an instant Therefore the rider must know exactly where he is on the approach to a fence with an obedi-ent horse that will respond to his com-mands For the spectator this sport is both exciting and breathtaking to watch
more for regularity of pace You want to be able to canter up to a small fence jump it and then canter away at the same speed
If you already have a horse with which yoursquod like to try eventing and if he has comfortable gaits and is a safe jumper yoursquoll probably be able to get started in the sport with him (His dressage may be a work in progress for a while but as it improves yoursquoll also experience a payback in the other phases)
If yoursquore shopping for your first event horse where should you look A young racetrack reject is not a suitable candidate if yoursquore just learning the sport donrsquot take on a green horse as a project A better prospect is the experienced older eventing horse that is out of a job because his rider has gone off to college Hersquos likely to be offered at a reasonable price because hersquos no longer young His vet bills may be higher but he has a lot to teach you
I like Quarter Horses for entry-level eventing and I like older warmbloods whorsquove been around the block Of course anyone who knows me knows my personal fond-ness for Thoroughbreds I donrsquot steer entry-level riders away from this wonderful breed but I do sug-gest you look for a Thoroughbred who no longer wants to be first out of the starting gate
Jim Wofford has represented the US in eventing at three Olympics and two World Championships he has won the US National Championship five times on five different horses As a coach he has had at least one student on every US Olympic World Championship and Pan American team since 1978 He is a regular col-umnist for Practical Horseman maga-zine and the author of four books
Precision is key in show jumping as one rail down can make a difference in the final standings
C
ou
rt
es
y o
f u
se
aC
ou
rt
es
ty
of
us
ea
Visit MyHorseDailycom8
Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
8
CreditsEventing A Guide to the Three-Day Eventing Elements of Dressage Cross-Country and Show Jumping
This report is brought to you with the permission of the United States Eventing Association and by the editors of Practical Horseman magazine
as just one single rail knocked down can change the final standings dramatically
At the end of the competition scores for all the competitors are totaled Each test is scored individually and the penal-ties accrued are added together for the final results The lowest score is the win-ning score In the case of a team competi-tion the individual scores of each of the team members are added together If all team members have completed the com-petition the best three scores count and the team with the lowest team total is pronounced the winner
The Levels of EventingWith its variation in levels and difficulty and wide range of competitions available
all across the country eventing is a sport that provides competitive and recreation-al opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds as well as horses of all levels of training
Even if you have been competing in other equestrian sports for a long time it is still a good idea to start at the Beginner Novice Level Going to your first event is stressful enough so by having the jumps low and dressage tests relatively straight-forward you will be able to get your bear-ings in a less intense environment
Generally speaking there are six levels of eventing competition in the United States with international events having levels designated by the star system For more information visit useventingcom
bull VisitMyHorseDailycomfordailyarticlesonallthingshorses
bull SubscribetoMyHorse Dailyandweeklye-newslettersfreehow-tovideostipsandmuchmore
bull PerusehundredsofhorsebooksandDVDsatourstoreHorseBooksEtccom
PR
AC
TICA
L HO
RS
EMA
N
Spe
cial Eve
nting Issue
MAY
2012
Clark Montgomery and Universe
79 Cool Fashions and Hot Products for Every Budget
Expert how-to for English riders
May 2012
Build a Foundation for
Horse-Sale Commission Questions Answered
IN PERSPECTIVE
Clark Montgomery GOALS
EHV-1 Is Your Horse at RISK
WOFFORDrsquoS TAKE ON CURRENT TRENDS
SHARPEN STADIUM Katie Monahan Prudent
with
SKILLS
PERFORMANCE
SPECIALEVENTING
ISSUE
HIGHER DRESSAGEamp X-C
KEEPING OLYMPIC
Explanation of levels
Level Dressage Cross-Country Show Jumping
Beginner Beginner Novice A Distance ndash 1400-2000m Speed ndash 300mpm Novice Beginner Novice B Speed ndash 300-350 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash14-18 Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo (3rsquo Brush)
Novice Novice A Distance ndash 1600-2200m Speed ndash 320mpm Novice B Speed ndash 350-400 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash16-20 Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo (3rsquo7rdquo Brush)
Training Training A Distance ndash 2000-2600m Speed ndash 325mpm Training B Speed ndash 420-470 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash10-12 Number of Obstaclesndash20-24 Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo (3rsquo11rdquo Brush)
Preliminary Preliminary A Distance ndash 2200-3300m Speed ndash 350mpm Preliminary B Speed ndash 520 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash11-13 Preliminary C Number of Obstaclesndash22-30 Height ndash 3rsquo7rdquo
Intermediate Intermediate A Distance ndash 2600-3800m Speed ndash 350mpm Intermediate B Speed ndash 550 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash12-14 Number of Obstaclesndash26-34 Height ndash 3rsquo11
Advanced Advanced A Distance ndash 3200-4400m Speed ndash 375 mpm Advanced B Speed ndash 570 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash13-15 Height ndash 3rsquo11 (4rsquo7rdquo Brush) Height ndash 4rsquo1rdquo
Visit MyHorseDailycom Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
6
Eventing starts with choosing the right horse to partner you in entry-level competition
Your first event horse doesnrsquot need an extended trot that will score a 10 in dressage he doesnrsquot need to be able to gallop forever He needs to be fun to ride and fun to be around able to carry you safely and com-fortably around your first few entry-level events both in and (especially) out of the ring Donrsquot worry about your competitive results at this stage because your goal is to learn the sport
Your first event horse crossties stands politely for the vet and farrier loads easily and tacks up without problems Any horse that is unpredictable to work around in his stall or that kicks or rears is totally unacceptable
Under saddle your horse needs to have reasonable aptitude for the three different sports that make eventing such a unique challenge
Dressage starts with three good gaits I want to see a smooth free swinging walk I donrsquot want to see a choppy stride or a ten-dency for the horse to stub his toe or look ungenerous I want him to track upmdashthat is his hind foot should step ahead of the foot-print of the forefoot on the same sidemdashand I want to hear a steady rhythmic 1-2-3-4 with no obvious irregularities
The trot needs to be a cadenced 1-2 1-2 that covers the ground comfortably and attractively When you watch the horse being ridden his knee action shouldnrsquot bring a sewing machine to mind When you ride him he should be willing to maintain the trot in response to a mini-mal amount of pressure from your lower leg and heel
Yoursquore also looking for a horse with a regular clock-like three-beat canter For your level of eventing look for a horse who will hold himself in that canter You should not need a
death grip on the reins to prevent his speeding up and you should not need stick and spurs just to keep him cantering (again a little lower leg is OK)
In addition to three good gaits if your horse takes both leads steers well (turning easily in both directions) accepts the bit well and maintains a consistent head and neck position with the front of his face just ahead of the vertical he has the basic ingredients you need for the entry-level dres-sage tests
The cross-country phase is something new for the many riders whorsquove never ridden outside a ring before so itrsquos important to begin with a horse thatrsquos safe and sensible in the open If yoursquore trying out an event prospect for purchase be sure to arrange to take him out for a trot and canter along trails through the woods around open fields across rolling terrain and (if possible) through shallow water He needs to accept these situations as a matter of course
As an athlete the horse doesnrsquot need to be able to achieve racehorse fitness he does need to be able (with proper conditioning) to slow-canter twice the distance hersquoll cover cross-country with a short rest in the middle
In entry-level show jumping yoursquore more interested in riding a safe jumper than a clean jumper so the elements yoursquoll look for in jumping form are the things that most affect safety over fences When you watch him being ridden notice whether he invariably lifts his knees when he jumps A horse that jumps
with his knees lower than his elbows is not a good prospect because this form is unsafe Another grave fault If he jumps with one leg up and one hanging itrsquos a sign that he loses his balance off the ground making him unsafe for anyone to ride over fences
When you ride him over jumps you are looking once
Your First Event Horse
Go with a horse thatrsquos safe and sensible out-side of the ring or arena
Good gaits are a must especially in dressage
Co
ur
te
sy
of
us
ea
Co
ur
te
sy
of
us
ea
Adapted from the book ldquoCross Country with Jim Woffordrdquo by Jim Wofford (a compilation of Woffordrsquos articles from Practical Horseman magazine available at wwwhorsebooksetccom)
Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
7
Day Three Show JumpingThe third and final test at a three-day event takes place in the show-jumping arena A show-jumping course consists of a series of colored fences usually made up of lightweight rails that are easily knocked down The test takes place in an enclosed ring and the course must be ne-gotiated in order for the horse and rider to successfully complete the event This final phase tests the stamina and recov-ery of the horse after the cross-countryendurance phase and shows that it is fit enough to continue work
According to the FEI rule book ldquoThe test on the third day is not an ordinary show jumping competition hellip its sole object is to demonstrate that on the day after a severe test of endurance the horses have retained the suppleness energy and obedi-ence necessary for them to con-tinue in servicerdquo
The show jumping course requires very exact riding it consists of between 12 and 15
show jumping obstacles which normally include at least one combination two spread fences and in some cases a ditch
The courses are designed to test the horsersquos and riderrsquos ability to negotiate a variety of fences of differing heights widths and technicality This requires the horse to be balanced and supple for tight turns and short distances between fences He must be able to lengthen or shorten his stride in an instant Therefore the rider must know exactly where he is on the approach to a fence with an obedi-ent horse that will respond to his com-mands For the spectator this sport is both exciting and breathtaking to watch
more for regularity of pace You want to be able to canter up to a small fence jump it and then canter away at the same speed
If you already have a horse with which yoursquod like to try eventing and if he has comfortable gaits and is a safe jumper yoursquoll probably be able to get started in the sport with him (His dressage may be a work in progress for a while but as it improves yoursquoll also experience a payback in the other phases)
If yoursquore shopping for your first event horse where should you look A young racetrack reject is not a suitable candidate if yoursquore just learning the sport donrsquot take on a green horse as a project A better prospect is the experienced older eventing horse that is out of a job because his rider has gone off to college Hersquos likely to be offered at a reasonable price because hersquos no longer young His vet bills may be higher but he has a lot to teach you
I like Quarter Horses for entry-level eventing and I like older warmbloods whorsquove been around the block Of course anyone who knows me knows my personal fond-ness for Thoroughbreds I donrsquot steer entry-level riders away from this wonderful breed but I do sug-gest you look for a Thoroughbred who no longer wants to be first out of the starting gate
Jim Wofford has represented the US in eventing at three Olympics and two World Championships he has won the US National Championship five times on five different horses As a coach he has had at least one student on every US Olympic World Championship and Pan American team since 1978 He is a regular col-umnist for Practical Horseman maga-zine and the author of four books
Precision is key in show jumping as one rail down can make a difference in the final standings
C
ou
rt
es
y o
f u
se
aC
ou
rt
es
ty
of
us
ea
Visit MyHorseDailycom8
Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
8
CreditsEventing A Guide to the Three-Day Eventing Elements of Dressage Cross-Country and Show Jumping
This report is brought to you with the permission of the United States Eventing Association and by the editors of Practical Horseman magazine
as just one single rail knocked down can change the final standings dramatically
At the end of the competition scores for all the competitors are totaled Each test is scored individually and the penal-ties accrued are added together for the final results The lowest score is the win-ning score In the case of a team competi-tion the individual scores of each of the team members are added together If all team members have completed the com-petition the best three scores count and the team with the lowest team total is pronounced the winner
The Levels of EventingWith its variation in levels and difficulty and wide range of competitions available
all across the country eventing is a sport that provides competitive and recreation-al opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds as well as horses of all levels of training
Even if you have been competing in other equestrian sports for a long time it is still a good idea to start at the Beginner Novice Level Going to your first event is stressful enough so by having the jumps low and dressage tests relatively straight-forward you will be able to get your bear-ings in a less intense environment
Generally speaking there are six levels of eventing competition in the United States with international events having levels designated by the star system For more information visit useventingcom
bull VisitMyHorseDailycomfordailyarticlesonallthingshorses
bull SubscribetoMyHorse Dailyandweeklye-newslettersfreehow-tovideostipsandmuchmore
bull PerusehundredsofhorsebooksandDVDsatourstoreHorseBooksEtccom
PR
AC
TICA
L HO
RS
EMA
N
Spe
cial Eve
nting Issue
MAY
2012
Clark Montgomery and Universe
79 Cool Fashions and Hot Products for Every Budget
Expert how-to for English riders
May 2012
Build a Foundation for
Horse-Sale Commission Questions Answered
IN PERSPECTIVE
Clark Montgomery GOALS
EHV-1 Is Your Horse at RISK
WOFFORDrsquoS TAKE ON CURRENT TRENDS
SHARPEN STADIUM Katie Monahan Prudent
with
SKILLS
PERFORMANCE
SPECIALEVENTING
ISSUE
HIGHER DRESSAGEamp X-C
KEEPING OLYMPIC
Explanation of levels
Level Dressage Cross-Country Show Jumping
Beginner Beginner Novice A Distance ndash 1400-2000m Speed ndash 300mpm Novice Beginner Novice B Speed ndash 300-350 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash14-18 Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo (3rsquo Brush)
Novice Novice A Distance ndash 1600-2200m Speed ndash 320mpm Novice B Speed ndash 350-400 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash16-20 Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo (3rsquo7rdquo Brush)
Training Training A Distance ndash 2000-2600m Speed ndash 325mpm Training B Speed ndash 420-470 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash10-12 Number of Obstaclesndash20-24 Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo (3rsquo11rdquo Brush)
Preliminary Preliminary A Distance ndash 2200-3300m Speed ndash 350mpm Preliminary B Speed ndash 520 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash11-13 Preliminary C Number of Obstaclesndash22-30 Height ndash 3rsquo7rdquo
Intermediate Intermediate A Distance ndash 2600-3800m Speed ndash 350mpm Intermediate B Speed ndash 550 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash12-14 Number of Obstaclesndash26-34 Height ndash 3rsquo11
Advanced Advanced A Distance ndash 3200-4400m Speed ndash 375 mpm Advanced B Speed ndash 570 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash13-15 Height ndash 3rsquo11 (4rsquo7rdquo Brush) Height ndash 4rsquo1rdquo
Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
7
Day Three Show JumpingThe third and final test at a three-day event takes place in the show-jumping arena A show-jumping course consists of a series of colored fences usually made up of lightweight rails that are easily knocked down The test takes place in an enclosed ring and the course must be ne-gotiated in order for the horse and rider to successfully complete the event This final phase tests the stamina and recov-ery of the horse after the cross-countryendurance phase and shows that it is fit enough to continue work
According to the FEI rule book ldquoThe test on the third day is not an ordinary show jumping competition hellip its sole object is to demonstrate that on the day after a severe test of endurance the horses have retained the suppleness energy and obedi-ence necessary for them to con-tinue in servicerdquo
The show jumping course requires very exact riding it consists of between 12 and 15
show jumping obstacles which normally include at least one combination two spread fences and in some cases a ditch
The courses are designed to test the horsersquos and riderrsquos ability to negotiate a variety of fences of differing heights widths and technicality This requires the horse to be balanced and supple for tight turns and short distances between fences He must be able to lengthen or shorten his stride in an instant Therefore the rider must know exactly where he is on the approach to a fence with an obedi-ent horse that will respond to his com-mands For the spectator this sport is both exciting and breathtaking to watch
more for regularity of pace You want to be able to canter up to a small fence jump it and then canter away at the same speed
If you already have a horse with which yoursquod like to try eventing and if he has comfortable gaits and is a safe jumper yoursquoll probably be able to get started in the sport with him (His dressage may be a work in progress for a while but as it improves yoursquoll also experience a payback in the other phases)
If yoursquore shopping for your first event horse where should you look A young racetrack reject is not a suitable candidate if yoursquore just learning the sport donrsquot take on a green horse as a project A better prospect is the experienced older eventing horse that is out of a job because his rider has gone off to college Hersquos likely to be offered at a reasonable price because hersquos no longer young His vet bills may be higher but he has a lot to teach you
I like Quarter Horses for entry-level eventing and I like older warmbloods whorsquove been around the block Of course anyone who knows me knows my personal fond-ness for Thoroughbreds I donrsquot steer entry-level riders away from this wonderful breed but I do sug-gest you look for a Thoroughbred who no longer wants to be first out of the starting gate
Jim Wofford has represented the US in eventing at three Olympics and two World Championships he has won the US National Championship five times on five different horses As a coach he has had at least one student on every US Olympic World Championship and Pan American team since 1978 He is a regular col-umnist for Practical Horseman maga-zine and the author of four books
Precision is key in show jumping as one rail down can make a difference in the final standings
C
ou
rt
es
y o
f u
se
aC
ou
rt
es
ty
of
us
ea
Visit MyHorseDailycom8
Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
8
CreditsEventing A Guide to the Three-Day Eventing Elements of Dressage Cross-Country and Show Jumping
This report is brought to you with the permission of the United States Eventing Association and by the editors of Practical Horseman magazine
as just one single rail knocked down can change the final standings dramatically
At the end of the competition scores for all the competitors are totaled Each test is scored individually and the penal-ties accrued are added together for the final results The lowest score is the win-ning score In the case of a team competi-tion the individual scores of each of the team members are added together If all team members have completed the com-petition the best three scores count and the team with the lowest team total is pronounced the winner
The Levels of EventingWith its variation in levels and difficulty and wide range of competitions available
all across the country eventing is a sport that provides competitive and recreation-al opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds as well as horses of all levels of training
Even if you have been competing in other equestrian sports for a long time it is still a good idea to start at the Beginner Novice Level Going to your first event is stressful enough so by having the jumps low and dressage tests relatively straight-forward you will be able to get your bear-ings in a less intense environment
Generally speaking there are six levels of eventing competition in the United States with international events having levels designated by the star system For more information visit useventingcom
bull VisitMyHorseDailycomfordailyarticlesonallthingshorses
bull SubscribetoMyHorse Dailyandweeklye-newslettersfreehow-tovideostipsandmuchmore
bull PerusehundredsofhorsebooksandDVDsatourstoreHorseBooksEtccom
PR
AC
TICA
L HO
RS
EMA
N
Spe
cial Eve
nting Issue
MAY
2012
Clark Montgomery and Universe
79 Cool Fashions and Hot Products for Every Budget
Expert how-to for English riders
May 2012
Build a Foundation for
Horse-Sale Commission Questions Answered
IN PERSPECTIVE
Clark Montgomery GOALS
EHV-1 Is Your Horse at RISK
WOFFORDrsquoS TAKE ON CURRENT TRENDS
SHARPEN STADIUM Katie Monahan Prudent
with
SKILLS
PERFORMANCE
SPECIALEVENTING
ISSUE
HIGHER DRESSAGEamp X-C
KEEPING OLYMPIC
Explanation of levels
Level Dressage Cross-Country Show Jumping
Beginner Beginner Novice A Distance ndash 1400-2000m Speed ndash 300mpm Novice Beginner Novice B Speed ndash 300-350 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash14-18 Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo (3rsquo Brush)
Novice Novice A Distance ndash 1600-2200m Speed ndash 320mpm Novice B Speed ndash 350-400 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash16-20 Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo (3rsquo7rdquo Brush)
Training Training A Distance ndash 2000-2600m Speed ndash 325mpm Training B Speed ndash 420-470 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash10-12 Number of Obstaclesndash20-24 Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo (3rsquo11rdquo Brush)
Preliminary Preliminary A Distance ndash 2200-3300m Speed ndash 350mpm Preliminary B Speed ndash 520 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash11-13 Preliminary C Number of Obstaclesndash22-30 Height ndash 3rsquo7rdquo
Intermediate Intermediate A Distance ndash 2600-3800m Speed ndash 350mpm Intermediate B Speed ndash 550 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash12-14 Number of Obstaclesndash26-34 Height ndash 3rsquo11
Advanced Advanced A Distance ndash 3200-4400m Speed ndash 375 mpm Advanced B Speed ndash 570 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash13-15 Height ndash 3rsquo11 (4rsquo7rdquo Brush) Height ndash 4rsquo1rdquo
Visit MyHorseDailycom8
Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom
8
CreditsEventing A Guide to the Three-Day Eventing Elements of Dressage Cross-Country and Show Jumping
This report is brought to you with the permission of the United States Eventing Association and by the editors of Practical Horseman magazine
as just one single rail knocked down can change the final standings dramatically
At the end of the competition scores for all the competitors are totaled Each test is scored individually and the penal-ties accrued are added together for the final results The lowest score is the win-ning score In the case of a team competi-tion the individual scores of each of the team members are added together If all team members have completed the com-petition the best three scores count and the team with the lowest team total is pronounced the winner
The Levels of EventingWith its variation in levels and difficulty and wide range of competitions available
all across the country eventing is a sport that provides competitive and recreation-al opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds as well as horses of all levels of training
Even if you have been competing in other equestrian sports for a long time it is still a good idea to start at the Beginner Novice Level Going to your first event is stressful enough so by having the jumps low and dressage tests relatively straight-forward you will be able to get your bear-ings in a less intense environment
Generally speaking there are six levels of eventing competition in the United States with international events having levels designated by the star system For more information visit useventingcom
bull VisitMyHorseDailycomfordailyarticlesonallthingshorses
bull SubscribetoMyHorse Dailyandweeklye-newslettersfreehow-tovideostipsandmuchmore
bull PerusehundredsofhorsebooksandDVDsatourstoreHorseBooksEtccom
PR
AC
TICA
L HO
RS
EMA
N
Spe
cial Eve
nting Issue
MAY
2012
Clark Montgomery and Universe
79 Cool Fashions and Hot Products for Every Budget
Expert how-to for English riders
May 2012
Build a Foundation for
Horse-Sale Commission Questions Answered
IN PERSPECTIVE
Clark Montgomery GOALS
EHV-1 Is Your Horse at RISK
WOFFORDrsquoS TAKE ON CURRENT TRENDS
SHARPEN STADIUM Katie Monahan Prudent
with
SKILLS
PERFORMANCE
SPECIALEVENTING
ISSUE
HIGHER DRESSAGEamp X-C
KEEPING OLYMPIC
Explanation of levels
Level Dressage Cross-Country Show Jumping
Beginner Beginner Novice A Distance ndash 1400-2000m Speed ndash 300mpm Novice Beginner Novice B Speed ndash 300-350 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash14-18 Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo (3rsquo Brush)
Novice Novice A Distance ndash 1600-2200m Speed ndash 320mpm Novice B Speed ndash 350-400 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash16-20 Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo (3rsquo7rdquo Brush)
Training Training A Distance ndash 2000-2600m Speed ndash 325mpm Training B Speed ndash 420-470 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash10-12 Number of Obstaclesndash20-24 Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo (3rsquo11rdquo Brush)
Preliminary Preliminary A Distance ndash 2200-3300m Speed ndash 350mpm Preliminary B Speed ndash 520 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash11-13 Preliminary C Number of Obstaclesndash22-30 Height ndash 3rsquo7rdquo
Intermediate Intermediate A Distance ndash 2600-3800m Speed ndash 350mpm Intermediate B Speed ndash 550 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash12-14 Number of Obstaclesndash26-34 Height ndash 3rsquo11
Advanced Advanced A Distance ndash 3200-4400m Speed ndash 375 mpm Advanced B Speed ndash 570 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash13-15 Height ndash 3rsquo11 (4rsquo7rdquo Brush) Height ndash 4rsquo1rdquo