Interested in eventing? Read Juliette’s guide for getting started in the sport.
What is eventing?
Eventing is a complete test of skill and partnership of horse and rider, comprising the three phases of dressage, show jumping and cross country which run successively. Penalties are awarded according to these phases, and time penalties accrued are added on to give an overall penalty score- the winner having the least penalties at the end. British Eventing (BE) is the overseeing body of the sport in the UK, and levels run from BE80(T) a training class, up to Advanced.
How do I get started eventing?
The British Eventing website (www.britisheventing.com) has a list of fixtures for each season across the country. It is worthwhile going to your local event as a spectator to get a feel for the competition process so you know what to expect when you are ready to compete.
To enter a BE event, both horse and rider (and owner if this is someone other than the rider) must be registered with BE. Registration is free, and lifelong. Before you can enter, registered riders must then either buy an annual membership or a day membership, the horse must have a season ticket or have a day ticket for a single event. Training class day tickets (training passes) for BE80T classes are slightly cheaper than normal day tickets.
Another great way to get involved and learn more about the sport is by volunteering at your local event! Contact details for each event are found on the BE website. My first experience of eventing was as a fence judge, then as a groom for a friend.
BE80T - These are ideal for riders new to the sport or young/green horses. There are BE accredited trainers available on the day for help warming up in all three phases and cross country course walks. Trainers are very approachable and can give invaluable advice so don’t be afraid to talk to them! They can be found in the warm up areas wearing tabards, and course walks will be scheduled so you can meet them at the cross country start box if desired.
BE80T Dressage will be basic; it will involve walk, trot and canter (similar to prelim level BD). It might be on grass or on a surface. Show-jumps will be not more than 85cm, on grass or artificial surface. Courses are usually around eight fences with one double combination. Cross country will be around 18-25 fences over 1.6-2.8km courses.
Classes increase in size by increments: BE80T, BE90, BE100, Novice (1.10m), Intermediate (1.15m), Advanced (1.20m). These heights denote the maximum height of cross country fences (solid bits- brush can be higher!). Cross country will run to an optimum time based on a speed which increases as you move up the levels. Time penalties will be incurred for exceeding this time, or for speed too far below the optimum time. For Show-jumping, there will be a couple of fences on the course up to 5cm bigger than these heights. Dressage is equivalent to BD prelim at BE80T, BE90, gradually increasing in difficulty; BE Novice has a similar level dressage to BD Novice tests.
Fitness and preparation
Preparing for the event
Plan to have lessons in each discipline. If you will be competing on grass then spend some time training on grass too! It may be possible to have lessons at the venue at which you will compete- this way you can become familiar with the location, and training over some of the cross country fences you may meet can be beneficial.
The night before the event I will usually clean tack, prepare water and haynets for the lorry and clean out stud holes to ensure they are ready for use. If I am leaving early the next day I may plait up, but careful these are not too tight or the horse might be sore if they are left in! If needed I will also wash the horse- usually just legs and tails with mine, then use rugs and stable boots to keep them clean and dry overnight.
Fitness
Eventing is a very physically demanding sport for horse and rider and lack of fitness will certainly contribute to the risk of accidents and injuries. Plan your fitness for horse and rider with your trainer; the horse will need to be able to canter and jump for around 5 minutes, the rider should be fit enough for this too so as not to hamper the horse! Cuts and bruises are common particularly in the cross country phase; however a fit horse is at far less risk of more serious tendon or ligament injuries. I use interval training to improve my horses’ fitness- trotting and cantering for set periods of time with intervals of walking between trot/canter ’sets’. For example a canter session when first starting canter work in my fitness plan might involve 3 x 2 minute canters, with 3 minutes of walk between canters. I also aim to do a hill canter at least once a week- I will canter up the hill and then walk down and repeat as fitness improves. The training should (at least in part) take place on similar terrain to that which will be encountered in competition.
Fitness plans vary greatly between horses, but in general I try and work the horses 4-6 times weekly, with an easier week just before the event. They will go for a quiet hack the day before competing, and will get 1-2 days in the field after an event.
Eventing checklist and what to expect at an event
What will you need?
Rules for dress in each phase and permitted tack can be found in the rule book. As an idea, here are images of us preparing for each phase!
Boodles ready for DressageShow jumping warm upJess dressed for cross country
Other items you will need specifically for eventing
A Groom! (Invaluable to have a helper- especially when you first start out!!)
Approved standard hat (skull cap for cross country)
Hairnet
Show jacket for dressage and show-jumping
Cross country ‘colours’ (any lightweight long-sleeved top which should be stretchy and relatively tight fitting, e.g rugby shirt or lycra cross country shirt)
Number Bib
Medical armband
Approved standard body protector (+/- air-jacket)
Boots for horse- tendon boots for show-jumping and cross country protective boots set of four
Studs- if appropriate for horse and ground conditions- I always use the smallest possible!
Water and bucket (for drinking and washing off after cross country)
First aid kit (horse and human!)
I also use cold water boots to cool the legs after cross country
What to expect on the day
I aim to arrive at the event an hour before my dressage time to allow time to collect numbers, tack up, put studs in if on grass and warm up. If I need to walk the cross country before the dressage test then allow an extra hour! On arrival, head to the Secretary tent to collect your number and programme- you will need cash to pay a start fee to- the amount will be on the entry schedule but is usually around £15. You should also have your horse’s passport available for inspection.
On arrival and when walking the cross country course, don’t forget to acknowledge the jump judges and other organisers and volunteers- the sport relies heavily on them and they are there to enjoy their day and help you enjoy the sport to! I find it helpful to walk the cross country course with a camera. I photograph the approach to each fence so that I can scroll through the images before our round and remind me of the route and how to ride each fence.
