Interested in eventing? Read Jack’s guide for getting started in the sport.
What is eventing?
Eventing is the ultimate test between horse and rider. You need to know each other inside out and have 100% trust in each other. Eventing combines three disciplines within the one sport. The first stage is dressage; the judge will be looking for obedience, balance, rhythm and harmony between horse and rider. You'll be scored for every movement the same as pure dressage, once the percentage has been worked out you will be given your penalty score which you will take forward to the next phase. You want to achieve the lowest score possible.
The second phase will be show jumping. This will run very similar to pure show jumping but you will just jump one round (normally 8 -12 fences) picking up four faults for each knock down or refusal, which will be added to you penalty score. This phase will test the horse’s balance, accuracy and carefulness.
The final phase is cross country where you'll meet banks, water, ditches, logs, etc. This phase will test your bond with your horse; they really need to trust you. Cross country tests bravery, boldness and stamina. If you pick up problems in the phase they will be costly adding 20 penalties for a refusal.
Finally once all phases are complete you finish on your final score and the lowest score in your class will win. Hopefully if all goes well you'll be feeling on top of the world. Eventing is very addictive!
How do I get started eventing?
Firstly you want to be out and about competing at unaffiliated dressage, show jumping and have a hunter trial and an unaffiliated one day event under your belt. You'll want to be happy and going well before you register and enter your first event. If you have never been to an affiliated British Eventing event, you might want to go and have a look around, walk the course and get a general feel for what events are like before you head to your first one.
You'll need to be a registered member to go eventing, this will be an annual rider membership and each horse will need their season ticket. If you want to have a taste of eventing you can do up to four days competing on a day ticket, these are purchased before entering. You'll need a horse and a rider day ticket to be able to compete. More information is available on the British Eventing website www.britisheventing.com.
Rules surrounding the sport
I really recommend riders sitting down one evening and having a read through the rule book. There are lots of rules regarding ages, medication, tack and even logos. Some rules are very different to unaffiliated and even affiliated dressage and show jumping.
Fitness and preparation
Fitness for horse and rider
Fitness is very important for both horse and rider. Each horse is an individual, but mostly my own horses work seven days a week, this will include flatwork sessions, long hacks (lots of forward walking on the roads), a weekly jump and a weekly canter around the fields. As a rider, you'll build some fitness by doing all the riding yourself, but that’s not enough to go straight eventing, if you don’t have other horses to ride, jogging, cycling and swimming will really help build your core strength and stamina.
How to prepare for your first competition
Hopefully all your competing and schooling has been going well which will help you mentally prepare for your first event. I do all my preparation the day before. The horses get a full bath, plaited, stud holes tapped, feathers and ears trimmed and tail pulled. I also bandage legs. Try and keep your horse in the same routine, if they live in keep them in or if they are out, try and keep them out.
Common illnesses or injuries to horses in this sport
Eventing can be a very high risk sport for both horse and rider. It is very important to cool your horse down properly, taking great care how you cool down their tendons as they would have been under great strain therefore they get very hot. I always feel their legs first thing the next morning, feeling for any changes, heat or swelling. I also trot them up making sure they are sound, loose and happy in themselves. Falling off at speed cross country is the most likely area for rider injuries, that is why air jackets can be very helpful. However, put rider injuries to the back of your mind, you need to be focused and positive when eventing!
Eventing checklist and what to expect at an event
Top tips on what to bring to a competition
Firstly, bring along a friend to help that knows you and your horse well, it will take a huge pressure off you. You'll want to arrive in enough time to get parked, pick up your numbers (have your horse's passport to hand), pay your start fee and walk the cross country course. It is unlikely you'll always get to walk the show jumping course, so take some time to watch other people jump. Everyone eventing is very friendly and will always be happy to help if you need some advice.
Dress code for horse and rider
Dressage:
Your horse will need a simple snaffle, no boots or bandages. Most riders below Novice normally wear a tweed jacket, but black or blue are perfectly fine and an approved riding hat. A rule that is very different to normal dressage is that whips are not allowed.
Show jumping:
This has the same dress code as dressage however short whips are allowed. If you've practised enough show jumping, you'll know what bridle and bit your horse will need.
Cross country:
You will need a skull cap without a fixed peak, an up to date body protector and nowadays most riders also wear an air jacket over their body protectors. You can brighten your round up by having cross country colours. Your horse should have the bridle and bit that you feel comfortable and controlled in. I use cross country boots with protected strike pads to protect their tendons.
Progressing through the levels
You can start eventing at BE80T, BE80, BE90 or BE100. You'll want to do the level below what you’ve been training for, so if you’ve been to combined training at 90, you might want to start at a BE80. I'm never in a rush to move up to the next level and you should never feel under pressure to. Once you've had a few good runs or even some good placings and are feeling both happy and confident you might want to think about upgrading. I always have a look at the next level course at events so you can get an idea of what might be expected.
