3 day eventing

THE HISTORY OF 3 DAY EVENTING

Samantha Russell

What is 3 Day Eventing?

• 3 day eventing is a series of phases on horseback that test different abilities

• Dressage is the first phase, cross country is the second, and stadium jumping is the third

• Dressage tests obedience and elegance

• Cross country tests stamina, courage and bravery

• Stadium jumping tests soundness, speed and ability after vigorous cross country course

When Did it Start?

• The first competition was held in 1902

• It was held in France at the Championnat du Cheval d'Armes

In the Olympics

• In 1912, eventing occurred in the Olympics

• Originally only men serving in the military were allowed to compete

• On the first day they were required to complete a 33 mile ride, this was then followed by a 3 mile cross country course with a 15 minute time limit

• Day 2 was a rest day

• On day 3 they competed in a steeplechase of 2 miles and 10 jumps

• On day 4 there was a jumping test, known as stadium jumping today

• On the final day they competed in dressage

Major Changes

• In 1920, the test was changed and dressage was no long apart of eventing, instead there was another endurance test

• The first phase was a 28 mile ride followed by a cross country course of 18 jumps and a time allowed of 12 1/2 minutes

• Day 2 continued to stay a day of rest

• Day 3 was a 12 mile ride followed by 2 1/2 mile steeplechase

• The final day was stadium jumping

• In 1942, the phases we know today were established

• Dressage was on the first day, cross country was on the second, and stadium jumping was on the third

• The only major difference was a cool down phase of 1 1/4 miles

• In 1963 another major change occurred, the ten minute halt box

• After the first three phases, horses were checked by a vet and two judges

• The purpose of the halt box was to see if a horse was fit to continue to the final phase, if a horse was unfit they would be pulled from the competition immediately

• In 1967 phase E, the cool down run was abolished

Eventing in the U.S.

• The first 3 day event in the U.S was held in 1949

• In 1953 another event was held in Nashville and became a huge success

• Official rules and courses were developed and 3 day eventing has become very popular throughout the states

DRESSAGE

Purpose

• Dressage means “training” in French

• It focuses on natural abilities a horse has, the horse and rider should be in sync

• The purpose of dressage training is to prove the horse is athletic, with maximum performance and minimal effort

• It is often referred to as “Horse Ballet”

History

• Dressage started as basic obedience and maneuverability in the military

• In 1735, the Spanish Riding School in Vienna began to focus on the art of riding and is considered one of the greatest riding schools in the world today

• In 1948, dressage became popular for women, the first female rider in the Olympics was in 1952

• In 1973, the United States Dressage Foundation (USDF) was founded

Spanish Riding School in Vienna

Horses

• Any horse can excel at lower levels

• Warmbloods and Thoroughbreds run the eventing world at higher levels

Arena Size

• There are two different arena sizes Standard and Small

• Standard size is 20 m by 60 m

• Small size is 20 m by 40 m

• Letters are assigned to different spots of the arena to specify where a movement should be made

Judges

• Judges are often registered through different organizations based on experience and training, so marks can be given as accurately as possible

• A judge is always placed at C, in higher levels there can be multiple judges at different letters so every movement can be seen accurately

Judges at C

Tests

• In each level there are certain basic movements and gaits a horse should be able to preform

• With each increasing level, tests, movements, and gaits become more advanced

• Although dressage is a competition among others, riders are more concerned with their own score

Scoring

• Each movement is given a number between 0 and 10, 0 being not completed and 10 being excellent

• Scores are also given for rider performance and seat, gaits, submission, and impulsion

• Judges will write notes next to each score to help a rider improve for next time, also known as scribing

• At the end of a test, all points are added up and multiplies by 100 (rounded to two decimals), that number is subtracted by 100 and the final result is penalties taken the the next round

Disqualification

• A horse and rider can be disqualified if a horse has all four horses out of the arena at one time

• The horse refuses for more than 20 seconds

• A horse or rider falls

Tack

• In dressage, tack is very minimal and black is usually the color of choice as it is very formal

• A dressage saddle with long, straight flap is typically used because it is made specifically for the discipline

• The saddle is placed under a white square pad

• A black bridle with either a plain cavesson, drop noseband, or flash noseband is permitted. A flash is the most common

• Only snaffle bits are permitted in lower levels, in higher levels a double bridle with a bradoon and curb bit are allowed

• Leg wear of any kind is not allowed

• Horses manes are also braided and banded as it looks nicer than a loose one

Riding Attire

• Riders are also very formal

• White, cream, or light colored breeches

• A white shirt, stock tie and pin

• Gloves, either black or white (white is preferred but black is more common)

• A coat in either black or navy, in higher levels a shadbelly and yellow vest is worn instead

• Tall boots, either dress or field (dress is preferred but field is more common in eventing)

• Certain spurs and whips are allowed

• A hair bun is typically worn to keep hair in place

• And an approved helmet, in higher levels a top hat is worn instead

CROSS COUNTRY

Purpose

• Cross country is a test of speed, stamina, and jumping ability

• The horse and rider must be at peak condition, a horse must be brave and obedient, a rider must have knowledge of pace so a horse only uses as much energy as necessary

• It is considered the most exciting phase by both riders and spectators

History

• Cross country began in the original 3 day eventing as the last phase

• It was only one part of the endurance test, but today is the only endurance test

Judging

• Unlike dressage, cross country is not judged by a judge

• It is based on refusals and time limits

• A jump refusal is worth 20 points, a second jump refusal at the same jump is worth 40 points, and a third jump refusal results in elimination

• Time penalties are given of .4 per second over optimum time

Elimination

• A 3rd jump refusal at the same jump or a 4th jump refusal throughout the course

• Jumping obstacles in the wrong direction or order

• Not jumping an obstacle at all

• A fall of horse or rider

• Dangerous jumping

Jumps

• Jumps are designed to look natural and like possible obstacles that could be since on a real cross country ride

• Ditches, water, logs, and banks are common jumps seen on a course

Tack

• A jumping saddle, usually brown, has a short, forward flap to help with positions over jumps

• A saddle pad of any color (commonly barn colors)

• A breastplate to help keep the saddle from sliding back and stay in place

• A bridle of any kind, figure 8 bridles are becoming very popular

• A strong bit, usually with bit guards

• A running martingale is often used

• Protective leg boots made specifically for cross country

• Braids are usually taken out of the mane incase of emergency the rider has something to grab onto

Riding Attire

• Riders do not need to dress formal like dressage, it’s a chance to show your fun side with some color

• Breeches of any color, tan and beige are still most common

• A polo shirt, also any color

• Tall field boots

• Gloves with a good grip

• Certain spurs and crops are allowed

• A protective vest is mandatory, often black but can be customized with any color

• A medical armband is also mandatory, in case of falling medics need your information

• A protective helmet, usually a skull cap must also be worn

STADIUM JUMPING

Purpose

• Stadium jumping tests technical skills of a horse and rider

• Suppleness, obedience, fitness, and athleticism are a few skills tested

History

• Jumping is a fairly new sport, as there was never a need to jump obstacles routinely

• It started in the 18th century in England

• Early horse shows were held in France

Judging

• Stadium jumping is much like cross country for judging

• An optimum time is set and every second over is worth 1 point

• Knocking down an obstacle is worth 4 points

• One disobedience is worth 4 points, a second causes elimination

Elimination

• Reasons for an elimination include a second disobedience

• A horse or rider fall

• Jumping obstacles in the wrong order

• Error on course that is not fixed

Jumps

• Unlike cross country, jumps are not made to be natural

• They are bright and colorful and can easily be knocked down

• Jump difficulties increases with levels

Tack

• Most people use the same tack as cross country

• A brown jumping saddle

• A saddle pad, usually white

• A breastplate

• A bridle of any kind

• A bit stronger than dressage but lighter than cross country

• A running martingale

• Open front boots are used instead of cross country boots

• A horses mane can be braided or loose, riders will normally leave it braided if they just finished dressage and loose if they just finished cross country

Riding Attire

• Riders dress very similar to dressage

• White or light colored breeches

• White or light colored shirt with a choker or stock tie and pin

• Gloves, either black or white

• A coat in black or navy

• Tall field boots

• Certain spurs and crops are allowed

• A hair bun to keep hair in place

• An approved helmet

Awards

• The person with the least amount of points after all three phases is the winner!

• Awards are usually given 1-5 with prizes for 1-3

LEVELS

Introductory

• Introductory is not a USEA recognized level so there are no set tests, heights, lengths, speeds, or time limits. Generally requirements are the same as beginner novice except for height.

• Dressage - Beginner novice test A

• Cross Country - 1400-2000 m at 300-350 mpm and 10-14 jumps with a height of 20”-24”

• Stadium Jumping - 6-8 jumps with a height of 20”-24” at 300 mpm

Beginner Novice

• Beginner novice is the lowest level recognized by the USEA

• Dressage - Beginner novice test A or B

• Cross Country - 1400-2000 m at 300-350 mpm and 14-18 jumps with a height of 2’7”

• Stadium Jumping - 9-11 jumps with a height of 2’7” at 300 mpm

• Criteria - horse must be 4 years or older

Novice

• Dressage - Novice test A or B

• Cross Country - 1600-2200 m at 350-400 mpm and 16-20 jumps with a height of 2’11”

• Stadium Jumping - 9-11 jumps with a height of 2’11” at 320 mpm

• Criteria - horse must be 4 years or older

Training

• Dressage - Training test A or B

• Cross Country - 2000-2600 m at 420-470 mpm and 20-24 jumps with a height of 3’3”

• Stadium Jumping - 10-12 jumps with a height of 3’3” at 325 mpm

• Criteria - horse must be 4 years or older

Preliminary

• Dressage - Preliminary test A, B, or C

• Cross Country - 2200-3300 m at 520 mpm and 22-30 jumps with a height of 3’7”

• Stadium Jumping - 11-13 jumps with a height of 3’7” at 350 mpm

• Criteria - rider must be 14 or older, horse must be 6 or older, and have completed 4 horse trials at training level

Intermediate

• Dressage - Intermediate test A or B

• Cross Country - 2600-3800 m at 550 mpm and 26-34 jumps with a height of 3’9”

• Stadium Jumping - 12-14 jumps with a height of 3’11” at 350 mpm

• Criteria - rider must be 16 or older, horse must be 6 or older, and have completed 3 horse trials at preliminary level and 1 more with no more than 20 jump penalties during cross country

Advanced

• Dressage - Advanced test A or B

• Cross Country - 3200-4400 m at 570 mpm and 30-40 jumps with a height of 3’11”

• Stadium Jumping - 13-15 jumps with a height of 4’1” at 375 mpm

• Criteria - rider must be 18 or older, horse must be 6 or older, and have completed 3 horse trials at intermediate level and 1 more with no more than 20 jump penalties during cross country

International levels

• CCI or Concours Complet International are the ratings of eventing at the international level governed by the FEI

• CCI* is similar to preliminary level

• CCI** is similar to intermediate level

• CCI*** is similar to advanced level

• CCI**** is the highest level of competition and horses should have a good deal of experience in eventing

• The Olympics are often competed at the CCI*** level instead of CCI**** so more horses have a chance of competing and success

ORGANIZATIONS

• There are thousands of organizations focusing on not only eventing but the entire sport of equestrian riding

• Here are a few very well known organizations that play a big role in the eventing community

USEF

• United States Equestrian Federation

• Founded in 1917

• Focuses on all types of riding at all levels

USEA

• United States Eventing Association

• Founded in 1959

• Has over 11,000 members and recognizes over 250 events a year

USDF

• United States Dressage Federation

• Founded in 1973

• Founded so people interested in dressage could be recognized throughout the nation

USHJA

• United States Hunter Jumper Association

• Focuses on safety and education for those interested in hunter jumpers

FEI

• Fédération Equestre Internationale

• Founded in 1921

• Focuses on all disciplines at higher levels of competition

AND THATS THE HISTORY OF 3 DAY EVENTING!!