How long is an eventing course

A large area is offered, with room for galloping and optional practice fences. From there, the riders are called forward to the start area where the Veterinary Delegate and a member of the Ground Jury will briefly verify that all is well, before allowing them to start. Cross country is all about riders forming a trusting partnership with their horse. The riders must learn to judge pace and speed and to know when to leave the horse alone and when to help him.

This thrilling phase enables the partnership to be tested to the maximum, both physically and mentally. Any minute variation of line and pace to an obstacle may make it impossible to jump, or require too much wasted effort encouraging penalties further around the course. With clever course design, every fence has an impact on the next so the rider must be quick thinking to ensure a confident clear round using all options available. The intelligent rider weighs up whether to take a time consuming easier option adding time penalties to his score, or to take a more daring, direct route risking big penalties for a refusal, run out or fall.

After the horses have completed their cross country, they are given time to rest and relax, but in the stable may stiffen up from the rigours of the competition. Any horse that they feel is not fit to continue with the competition will be eliminated, but those who are deemed fit will go on to take part in the final show jumping phase.

This phase is the finale of the Event, run in reverse order of merit, creating an electric atmosphere for the audience and a lot of pressure for the riders.

Unlike the cross country, these fences do fall down, and, as they do, the penalties mount up. Comparable to a training level USDF dressage test. Cross Country: Now for the fun stuff! You can see up banks, natural ditches, water crossings, and brush fences at beginner novice. Expect to see 14 to 18 obstacles and it to ride between and meters-per-minute mpm. These fences will have a yellow background with a black number. Stadium: Stadium at this level is meant to be inviting. Things are starting to get a little bit more serious here.

Novice is a great level that is straightforward and inviting for green horses and riders who are ready for the next step. Dressage: Slightly more difficult than beginner novice with similar movements. Cross Country: At novice, a bit more of a bold ride is favored than compared to beginner novice. There are obstacles that should be ridden between mpm. Riders can expect to see down banks and fences near or out of the water.

Stadium: Similar to novice with a couple more fences and a faster meters-per-minute. Dressage: There is the basic work from the previous levels as well as the addition of trot and canter lengthenings and 15 meter circles. Training level dressage is comparable to the USDF first level dressage tests. Cross Country: Your speed has picked up a bit, as training level speed is between and mpm. Stadium: At training level you can expect to see a liverpool and even a triple combination during your stadium course.

It is also the first level that you must qualify to compete in. Dressage: Expect to see simple changes through the trot, quarter line serpentines, 10 meter circles, and backing. A further inspection of the horses takes place on the Sunday morning prior to the Jumping test.

After the physical demands of cross country day, horses and riders must then demonstrate accuracy and agility in the jumping test by completing a course of show jumps up to 1.

This requires both horse and rider to be extremely fit and calm. Penalties are picked up by knocking down the deliberately balanced fences, refusing to jump a fence or not completing the course within the optimum time.

The competitors jump in reverse order, so the leader after the cross country is the last to jump, giving a nail-biting finish to the event. Many events are won or lost on this final day when the pressure is on in front of the 13, spectators filling the arena. Any penalties from the jumping test are added to give the final results of the competition. The horse and rider with the lowest final score is declared the winner. Eventing Explained The Competition Badminton Horse Trials is one of the toughest and most exciting equestrian events — the pinnacle of the worldwide horse trials calendar.

Competition Level International horse trials are given a star grading according to their level of difficulty. Phase Two: Cross Country Test Saturday The cross country test is the most physically demanding and exciting phase of the competition. The Final Inspection A further inspection of the horses takes place on the Sunday morning prior to the Jumping test.

Phase Three: Jumping Test Sunday After the physical demands of cross country day, horses and riders must then demonstrate accuracy and agility in the jumping test by completing a course of show jumps up to 1. Results Example No.