Origination
The Eventing discipline of riding originated in France in the 1800s where French men rode in the cavalry in the “raid militare” fashion. The three-day eventing style was accepted in to the Olympics in 1912.
National Organizations
Competition
Three-day eventing is a very competitive sport. There are many competitions across the country, as well as the Olympic games. The first day of competition is a test of Dressage; the second day is Eventing or sometimes called Cross Country, and the third day is Show Jumping.
Judging
Art of the discipline
Three day eventing is very different from other disciplines because it combines many disciplines and ways of riding. These include Dressage, Show Jumping, and Eventing. However it also shares many of the same characteristics of other styles of riding.
Show Jumping discipline is most similar to the Hunter/Jumper style of riding. In hunters they are judged on the quality and fanciness of the pony or horse and the way they move, jump and perform. The riders equitation and style of riding also is an important factor, as well as the horse and riders suitability. In both Jumpers and in show jumping they are judged on time and faults. The eventing style of riding is similar to show jumping except that the obstacles are designed to be more natural and jumps that you would find in nature (logs, ponds, water jumps, and other scenery). As show jumping, eventing is also judged on time. Dressage is very different from both Show Jumping and eventing because there is no jumping. There is no jumping involved in Dressage; it is solely flatwork. However, Dressage requires precision and a lot of detailed patterns that must be performed. Equitation (position and stance) of the rider is very important in this discipline in riding. Regardless of the discipline of riding you do, it is important to have a good equitation on a horse that can be established in Dressage; which can help you progress and compete successfully in other disciplines.
Breeds involved
Any breed of horse can be entered in a three day eventing competition, but the majority of the horses that compete in these competitions include Thoroughbreds, Holsteiner, Hanoverians, Trakehners, Akhal- Tekes, Warmbloods, and Polo ponies. At a three day eventing competition, you wouldn't see Gaited or any Saddleseat horses, or any Draft horses. These horses must be fast, athletic, smooth, great jumpers and have big strides (to cover a large amount of ground to save time). All three-day eventing horses must be very well trained and versatile, because they must be able to compete in Dressage, Cross Country and Show Jumping phases of competition.
Tack needed
Training required
To be able to compete in a three day eventing competition, a rider must be very experienced, have been riding and have taken lessons for several years. A rider must be very versatile because they must be capable of riding in three different styles and disciplines. These horses must be fast, athletic, smooth, great jumpers and have big strides (to cover a large amount of ground to save time). All three-day eventing horses must be very well trained and versatile, because they must be able to compete in Dressage, Cross Country and Show Jumping phases of competition.
Riding attire- Dressage
-Helmet
-Riding breeches
-Riding boots
-Show shirt
-Dark navy show coat
-Riding gloves
Riding attire- Eventing
-Helmet
-Vest
-Riding breeches
-Riding boots
-Show shirt
-Riding gloves
Riding attire- Show Jumping
-Helmet
-Riding breeches
-Riding boots
-Show shirt
-Dark navy show coat
-Riding gloves
-
Criticism
Many people that are not involved in equine disciplines, do not think eventing is a type of sport.
The Eventing discipline of riding originated in France in the 1800s where French men rode in the cavalry in the “raid militare” fashion. The three-day eventing style was accepted in to the Olympics in 1912.
National Organizations
- USEF- United States Equestrian Federation
- USHJA- United States Hunter Jumper Association
- United States Pony Club
- FEI- Federal Equestrian International
Competition
Three-day eventing is a very competitive sport. There are many competitions across the country, as well as the Olympic games. The first day of competition is a test of Dressage; the second day is Eventing or sometimes called Cross Country, and the third day is Show Jumping.
Judging
- Dressage- Both the horse and the rider are judged during this phase of competition. The rider is judged on their seat and their equitation. The horse is judged on it’s way of performing the patterns and their way of going. Dressage is meant to look effortless and similar to ballet on a horse.
- Eventing- In this phase of competition, the horse and riders combined teamwork is judged solely. Eventing is judged on the time it takes to complete the course. The horse and rider with the fastest time and least amount of faults wins.
- Show Jumping- In this phase of competition, the horse and riders combined teamwork is judged solely. Show Jumping is judged on the time it takes to complete the course, and completing the course of jumps without knocking down a rail. The horse and rider with the fastest time and least amount of faults wins. Faults can be accumulated if a horse refuses (4 faults) , knocks down a rail (4 faults), or has a time fault. These are added to the total time it takes the horse and rider to complete the course.
Art of the discipline
Three day eventing is very different from other disciplines because it combines many disciplines and ways of riding. These include Dressage, Show Jumping, and Eventing. However it also shares many of the same characteristics of other styles of riding.
Show Jumping discipline is most similar to the Hunter/Jumper style of riding. In hunters they are judged on the quality and fanciness of the pony or horse and the way they move, jump and perform. The riders equitation and style of riding also is an important factor, as well as the horse and riders suitability. In both Jumpers and in show jumping they are judged on time and faults. The eventing style of riding is similar to show jumping except that the obstacles are designed to be more natural and jumps that you would find in nature (logs, ponds, water jumps, and other scenery). As show jumping, eventing is also judged on time. Dressage is very different from both Show Jumping and eventing because there is no jumping. There is no jumping involved in Dressage; it is solely flatwork. However, Dressage requires precision and a lot of detailed patterns that must be performed. Equitation (position and stance) of the rider is very important in this discipline in riding. Regardless of the discipline of riding you do, it is important to have a good equitation on a horse that can be established in Dressage; which can help you progress and compete successfully in other disciplines.
Breeds involved
Any breed of horse can be entered in a three day eventing competition, but the majority of the horses that compete in these competitions include Thoroughbreds, Holsteiner, Hanoverians, Trakehners, Akhal- Tekes, Warmbloods, and Polo ponies. At a three day eventing competition, you wouldn't see Gaited or any Saddleseat horses, or any Draft horses. These horses must be fast, athletic, smooth, great jumpers and have big strides (to cover a large amount of ground to save time). All three-day eventing horses must be very well trained and versatile, because they must be able to compete in Dressage, Cross Country and Show Jumping phases of competition.
Tack needed
- Dressage: A horse would generally wear a Dressage saddle, an English bridle with generally a Snaffle bit or something that isn't considered a complex bit.
- Eventing: A rider would most likely use an English monoflap jumping saddle with an english bridle. A horse could wear several types of bits depending on their temperament and way of going.
- Show Jumping
Training required
To be able to compete in a three day eventing competition, a rider must be very experienced, have been riding and have taken lessons for several years. A rider must be very versatile because they must be capable of riding in three different styles and disciplines. These horses must be fast, athletic, smooth, great jumpers and have big strides (to cover a large amount of ground to save time). All three-day eventing horses must be very well trained and versatile, because they must be able to compete in Dressage, Cross Country and Show Jumping phases of competition.
Riding attire- Dressage
-Helmet
-Riding breeches
-Riding boots
-Show shirt
-Dark navy show coat
-Riding gloves
Riding attire- Eventing
-Helmet
-Vest
-Riding breeches
-Riding boots
-Show shirt
-Riding gloves
Riding attire- Show Jumping
-Helmet
-Riding breeches
-Riding boots
-Show shirt
-Dark navy show coat
-Riding gloves
-
Criticism
Many people that are not involved in equine disciplines, do not think eventing is a type of sport.
