Eventing

A Guide to the Three-Day Eventing Elements of Dressage Cross-Country

and Show Jumping

sh

ar

a r

ut

be

rg

Tips on choosing the perfect pair based on comfort

safety and style

Visit MyHorseDailycom Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

A Note From The Editor

Here at MyHorse Daily we are committed to bringing you the latest information designed to keep you and your horse healthy happy and productive

Enjoy the read

Amy Herdy Managing Editor MyHorse Daily

Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

3

a true ldquoequestrian triathlonrdquo three-day eventing (or simply ldquoeventingrdquo) was de-veloped from the test of the ideal military or cavalry mount Over the last century it has evolved into an exciting sport attract-ing all levels of enthusiasts from weekend

hobby riders to professional international stars It is the ultimate challenge to prepare a horse for

this rigorous test Unlike other sports where only the human will and body are pitted against the clock in eventing two minds and bodies work as one As an additional attraction eventing is the only high-risk Olympic sport where men and women compete as equals with no separate divisions Some of the top riders in the world today are women from all over the globe

The sport itself involves working with a horse both on the flat and over fences in three distinct phases of competition These phases are dressage cross-countryendurance and show jumping

Day One DressageThe dressage phase begins every eventing competition In French dressage means ldquotrainingrdquo Originally de-signed to show the horsersquos ability to perform intricate movements on the parade involved with reviewing troops today the dressage test comprises a set series of movements performed in an enclosed arena Precision smoothness suppleness and complete obedience show off the horsersquos obedience Ideally the horse appears to perform the testrsquos movements of its own accord working in harmony with its rider The test is scored on each movement rather like the scoring of the com-pulsories in figure skating with the overall harmony

Adapted from articles on wwwdiscovereventingcom with permission of the United States Eventing Association

Want to learn more about eventing

Herersquos a primer on this challenging equestrian sport with expert tips about choosing your first mount

Co

ur

te

sy

us

ea

Dressage is judged on a horsersquos performance of a set series of movements

Visit MyHorseDailycom Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

44

and precision of the test taken into consideration

Dressage is also very important to the three-day event horse because it helps develop the muscular strength and sup-pleness needed for the other two phases of competition cross-countryendurance and show jumping where the horse must be very fit and strong and able to lengthen and shorten stride at a gallop

The purpose of the dressage test is to demonstrate the level of communication between the horse and rider and display the power and grace required to perform each movement with balance rhythm and suppleness Due to the demands of the sport the three-day event horse is extremely fit and only well-schooled rid-ers possess the skills and strength needed to harness and direct that energy into a polished and powerful performance

Day Two Cross-CountryEnduranceThe cross-country test takes place on the second day of competi-tion The object of this test is to prove the speed endurance and jumping ability of the horse over varied terrain and obstacles In order to accomplish this task the horse and rider must be at peak condition The horse must be brave and obedient and the rider must use knowledge of pace in order to expend only as much of the horsersquos energy as necessary if they are to finish well

The cross-country course covers approximately 275 to 4 miles along which sit 20-40 fixed and solid obstacles This phase is ridden at a gallop with exact speed requirements depending upon the level of competition Cross-country courses require horses and riders to be bold and smart while testing their physical stamina The aim of each horse-

and-rider combination must be to com-plete the course on time and with as few penalties as possible Penalties can be accrued through jumping errors (such as when the horse refuses or runs out at an obstacle the rider falls off on course etc) or by exceeding the optimum time allowed

Whereas cross-country is the focus on the second day of the so-called ldquoshort-formatrdquo (or ldquomodified-formatrdquo) event which is the most typical type of event-ing competition itrsquos only one part of the second phase in the older more tradi-tional ldquolong-formatrdquo (or ldquoclassic formatrdquo) event

In a long-format event this leg of the competition is called ldquoendurance dayrdquo and consists of the following four sub-phasesbull Phase A Roads and Tracks This is

Three-Day Event

vs Horse Trials

According to the USEA horse trials are competitions run over one two or three days under the rules of a countryrsquos national federation (in America that means the United States Equestrian Federation)

Three-day events are com-petitions run under Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) rules and denoted by an asterisk (as in CCI-CCI) Today the CIC (Concours International Combineacute) level is shorter in length and slower in speed and is used primarily to qualify for the CCI (Concours Complet International) level

A CCI must run one phase on each day and in the proper order whereas a CIC can run multiple phases in one day In horse trials there is no rule about the order in which the phases are run as long as dres-sage comes first

At unrecognized events or horse trials the phases can fall in any order that suits the management the competitors and their schedules

A dressage test such as those seen at Rolex Kentucky should demonstrate power and grace

sh

ar

a r

ut

be

rg

Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

55

considered a ldquowarm-uprdquo phase It is a mix of trotcanter and is 220mpm over about 3000 meters (depending on the level)

bull Phase B Steeplechasebull Phase C Roads and Tracks again

This one is longer closer to 5000 meters but is done at the same pace at Phase A

bull Phase D Cross-country This is the same as in a short-format event

bull There is a 10-minute vet check between C amp D Interestingly the long-format event

still exists only in America and is no longer recognized by equestrian sportrsquos international governing body the Federation Equestre Internationale which technically makes it a ldquohorse trialsrdquo (see sidebar)

Like most cross-country obstacles this fence at the Rocky Mountain Horse Trials presents different challenges than a show-ring jump

sh

ar

a r

ut

be

rg

How Good Riders Get GoodDenny Emerson

What do excellent riders possess that most do not This is a question that many ask but few have explored the sport of riding horses for an answer Denny Emerson an internationally known rider and one of the The Chronicle of the Horsersquos ldquo50 most influential horsemen of the Twentieth

Centuryrdquo has devoted years to thinking about this He has drawn the conclusion that there are seven factors that relate to becoming a world-class rider personal drive life circumstances support network knowledge physical skill character traits and the horse Hardcover 252 pages with 60 photos $2995 ZF690

Horse ProfilingThe Secret to Motivating Equine Athlete

While following wild horse herds in Wyoming and Montana independent researcher Kerry Thomas realized that it is inside the horse and not what is outside that governs herd dynamics He determined that this was the basis for everything horsemdashwhatever role a horse plays in a human environment whatever his breed sport or ldquojobrdquo his emotional conformation dictates in large part his success or failure

Thomas identified a system of emotional profiling that enables him to determine a horsersquos performance tendencies and then began to develop ways in which horses can be mentally conditioned toward a given goal

Hardcover 184 pages $2995 ZF755

The Eighty-Dollar Champion November 1958 the National Horse Show at

Madison Square Garden in New York City Into the rarefied atmosphere of wealth and tradition come the most unlikely of horsesmdasha drab white former plow horse named Snowmanmdashand his rider Harry de Leyer They were the longest of all longshotsmdashand their win was the stuff of legend

ZF740 $2600

1-800-952-5813 (shipping + tax addtrsquol)

Shop Now

Visit MyHorseDailycom Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

6

Eventing starts with choosing the right horse to partner you in entry-level competition

Your first event horse doesnrsquot need an extended trot that will score a 10 in dressage he doesnrsquot need to be able to gallop forever He needs to be fun to ride and fun to be around able to carry you safely and com-fortably around your first few entry-level events both in and (especially) out of the ring Donrsquot worry about your competitive results at this stage because your goal is to learn the sport

Your first event horse crossties stands politely for the vet and farrier loads easily and tacks up without problems Any horse that is unpredictable to work around in his stall or that kicks or rears is totally unacceptable

Under saddle your horse needs to have reasonable aptitude for the three different sports that make eventing such a unique challenge

Dressage starts with three good gaits I want to see a smooth free swinging walk I donrsquot want to see a choppy stride or a ten-dency for the horse to stub his toe or look ungenerous I want him to track upmdashthat is his hind foot should step ahead of the foot-print of the forefoot on the same sidemdashand I want to hear a steady rhythmic 1-2-3-4 with no obvious irregularities

The trot needs to be a cadenced 1-2 1-2 that covers the ground comfortably and attractively When you watch the horse being ridden his knee action shouldnrsquot bring a sewing machine to mind When you ride him he should be willing to maintain the trot in response to a mini-mal amount of pressure from your lower leg and heel

Yoursquore also looking for a horse with a regular clock-like three-beat canter For your level of eventing look for a horse who will hold himself in that canter You should not need a

death grip on the reins to prevent his speeding up and you should not need stick and spurs just to keep him cantering (again a little lower leg is OK)

In addition to three good gaits if your horse takes both leads steers well (turning easily in both directions) accepts the bit well and maintains a consistent head and neck position with the front of his face just ahead of the vertical he has the basic ingredients you need for the entry-level dres-sage tests

The cross-country phase is something new for the many riders whorsquove never ridden outside a ring before so itrsquos important to begin with a horse thatrsquos safe and sensible in the open If yoursquore trying out an event prospect for purchase be sure to arrange to take him out for a trot and canter along trails through the woods around open fields across rolling terrain and (if possible) through shallow water He needs to accept these situations as a matter of course

As an athlete the horse doesnrsquot need to be able to achieve racehorse fitness he does need to be able (with proper conditioning) to slow-canter twice the distance hersquoll cover cross-country with a short rest in the middle

In entry-level show jumping yoursquore more interested in riding a safe jumper than a clean jumper so the elements yoursquoll look for in jumping form are the things that most affect safety over fences When you watch him being ridden notice whether he invariably lifts his knees when he jumps A horse that jumps

with his knees lower than his elbows is not a good prospect because this form is unsafe Another grave fault If he jumps with one leg up and one hanging itrsquos a sign that he loses his balance off the ground making him unsafe for anyone to ride over fences

When you ride him over jumps you are looking once

Your First Event Horse

Go with a horse thatrsquos safe and sensible out-side of the ring or arena

Good gaits are a must especially in dressage

Co

ur

te

sy

of

us

ea

Co

ur

te

sy

of

us

ea

Adapted from the book ldquoCross Country with Jim Woffordrdquo by Jim Wofford (a compilation of Woffordrsquos articles from Practical Horseman magazine available at wwwhorsebooksetccom)

Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

7

Day Three Show JumpingThe third and final test at a three-day event takes place in the show-jumping arena A show-jumping course consists of a series of colored fences usually made up of lightweight rails that are easily knocked down The test takes place in an enclosed ring and the course must be ne-gotiated in order for the horse and rider to successfully complete the event This final phase tests the stamina and recov-ery of the horse after the cross-countryendurance phase and shows that it is fit enough to continue work

According to the FEI rule book ldquoThe test on the third day is not an ordinary show jumping competition hellip its sole object is to demonstrate that on the day after a severe test of endurance the horses have retained the suppleness energy and obedi-ence necessary for them to con-tinue in servicerdquo

The show jumping course requires very exact riding it consists of between 12 and 15

show jumping obstacles which normally include at least one combination two spread fences and in some cases a ditch

The courses are designed to test the horsersquos and riderrsquos ability to negotiate a variety of fences of differing heights widths and technicality This requires the horse to be balanced and supple for tight turns and short distances between fences He must be able to lengthen or shorten his stride in an instant Therefore the rider must know exactly where he is on the approach to a fence with an obedi-ent horse that will respond to his com-mands For the spectator this sport is both exciting and breathtaking to watch

more for regularity of pace You want to be able to canter up to a small fence jump it and then canter away at the same speed

If you already have a horse with which yoursquod like to try eventing and if he has comfortable gaits and is a safe jumper yoursquoll probably be able to get started in the sport with him (His dressage may be a work in progress for a while but as it improves yoursquoll also experience a payback in the other phases)

If yoursquore shopping for your first event horse where should you look A young racetrack reject is not a suitable candidate if yoursquore just learning the sport donrsquot take on a green horse as a project A better prospect is the experienced older eventing horse that is out of a job because his rider has gone off to college Hersquos likely to be offered at a reasonable price because hersquos no longer young His vet bills may be higher but he has a lot to teach you

I like Quarter Horses for entry-level eventing and I like older warmbloods whorsquove been around the block Of course anyone who knows me knows my personal fond-ness for Thoroughbreds I donrsquot steer entry-level riders away from this wonderful breed but I do sug-gest you look for a Thoroughbred who no longer wants to be first out of the starting gate

Jim Wofford has represented the US in eventing at three Olympics and two World Championships he has won the US National Championship five times on five different horses As a coach he has had at least one student on every US Olympic World Championship and Pan American team since 1978 He is a regular col-umnist for Practical Horseman maga-zine and the author of four books

Precision is key in show jumping as one rail down can make a difference in the final standings

C

ou

rt

es

y o

f u

se

aC

ou

rt

es

ty

of

us

ea

Visit MyHorseDailycom8

Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

8

CreditsEventing A Guide to the Three-Day Eventing Elements of Dressage Cross-Country and Show Jumping

This report is brought to you with the permission of the United States Eventing Association and by the editors of Practical Horseman magazine

as just one single rail knocked down can change the final standings dramatically

At the end of the competition scores for all the competitors are totaled Each test is scored individually and the penal-ties accrued are added together for the final results The lowest score is the win-ning score In the case of a team competi-tion the individual scores of each of the team members are added together If all team members have completed the com-petition the best three scores count and the team with the lowest team total is pronounced the winner

The Levels of EventingWith its variation in levels and difficulty and wide range of competitions available

all across the country eventing is a sport that provides competitive and recreation-al opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds as well as horses of all levels of training

Even if you have been competing in other equestrian sports for a long time it is still a good idea to start at the Beginner Novice Level Going to your first event is stressful enough so by having the jumps low and dressage tests relatively straight-forward you will be able to get your bear-ings in a less intense environment

Generally speaking there are six levels of eventing competition in the United States with international events having levels designated by the star system For more information visit useventingcom

bull VisitMyHorseDailycomfordailyarticlesonallthingshorses

bull SubscribetoMyHorse Dailyandweeklye-newslettersfreehow-tovideostipsandmuchmore

bull PerusehundredsofhorsebooksandDVDsatourstoreHorseBooksEtccom

PR

AC

TICA

L HO

RS

EMA

N

Spe

cial Eve

nting Issue

MAY

2012

Clark Montgomery and Universe

79 Cool Fashions and Hot Products for Every Budget

Expert how-to for English riders

May 2012

Build a Foundation for

Horse-Sale Commission Questions Answered

IN PERSPECTIVE

Clark Montgomery GOALS

EHV-1 Is Your Horse at RISK

WOFFORDrsquoS TAKE ON CURRENT TRENDS

SHARPEN STADIUM Katie Monahan Prudent

with

SKILLS

PERFORMANCE

SPECIALEVENTING

ISSUE

HIGHER DRESSAGEamp X-C

KEEPING OLYMPIC

Explanation of levels

Level Dressage Cross-Country Show Jumping

Beginner Beginner Novice A Distance ndash 1400-2000m Speed ndash 300mpm Novice Beginner Novice B Speed ndash 300-350 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash14-18 Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo (3rsquo Brush)

Novice Novice A Distance ndash 1600-2200m Speed ndash 320mpm Novice B Speed ndash 350-400 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash16-20 Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo (3rsquo7rdquo Brush)

Training Training A Distance ndash 2000-2600m Speed ndash 325mpm Training B Speed ndash 420-470 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash10-12 Number of Obstaclesndash20-24 Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo (3rsquo11rdquo Brush)

Preliminary Preliminary A Distance ndash 2200-3300m Speed ndash 350mpm Preliminary B Speed ndash 520 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash11-13 Preliminary C Number of Obstaclesndash22-30 Height ndash 3rsquo7rdquo

Intermediate Intermediate A Distance ndash 2600-3800m Speed ndash 350mpm Intermediate B Speed ndash 550 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash12-14 Number of Obstaclesndash26-34 Height ndash 3rsquo11

Advanced Advanced A Distance ndash 3200-4400m Speed ndash 375 mpm Advanced B Speed ndash 570 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash13-15 Height ndash 3rsquo11 (4rsquo7rdquo Brush) Height ndash 4rsquo1rdquo

Visit MyHorseDailycom Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

A Note From The Editor

Here at MyHorse Daily we are committed to bringing you the latest information designed to keep you and your horse healthy happy and productive

Enjoy the read

Amy Herdy Managing Editor MyHorse Daily

Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

3

a true ldquoequestrian triathlonrdquo three-day eventing (or simply ldquoeventingrdquo) was de-veloped from the test of the ideal military or cavalry mount Over the last century it has evolved into an exciting sport attract-ing all levels of enthusiasts from weekend

hobby riders to professional international stars It is the ultimate challenge to prepare a horse for

this rigorous test Unlike other sports where only the human will and body are pitted against the clock in eventing two minds and bodies work as one As an additional attraction eventing is the only high-risk Olympic sport where men and women compete as equals with no separate divisions Some of the top riders in the world today are women from all over the globe

The sport itself involves working with a horse both on the flat and over fences in three distinct phases of competition These phases are dressage cross-countryendurance and show jumping

Day One DressageThe dressage phase begins every eventing competition In French dressage means ldquotrainingrdquo Originally de-signed to show the horsersquos ability to perform intricate movements on the parade involved with reviewing troops today the dressage test comprises a set series of movements performed in an enclosed arena Precision smoothness suppleness and complete obedience show off the horsersquos obedience Ideally the horse appears to perform the testrsquos movements of its own accord working in harmony with its rider The test is scored on each movement rather like the scoring of the com-pulsories in figure skating with the overall harmony

Adapted from articles on wwwdiscovereventingcom with permission of the United States Eventing Association

Want to learn more about eventing

Herersquos a primer on this challenging equestrian sport with expert tips about choosing your first mount

Co

ur

te

sy

us

ea

Dressage is judged on a horsersquos performance of a set series of movements

Visit MyHorseDailycom Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

44

and precision of the test taken into consideration

Dressage is also very important to the three-day event horse because it helps develop the muscular strength and sup-pleness needed for the other two phases of competition cross-countryendurance and show jumping where the horse must be very fit and strong and able to lengthen and shorten stride at a gallop

The purpose of the dressage test is to demonstrate the level of communication between the horse and rider and display the power and grace required to perform each movement with balance rhythm and suppleness Due to the demands of the sport the three-day event horse is extremely fit and only well-schooled rid-ers possess the skills and strength needed to harness and direct that energy into a polished and powerful performance

Day Two Cross-CountryEnduranceThe cross-country test takes place on the second day of competi-tion The object of this test is to prove the speed endurance and jumping ability of the horse over varied terrain and obstacles In order to accomplish this task the horse and rider must be at peak condition The horse must be brave and obedient and the rider must use knowledge of pace in order to expend only as much of the horsersquos energy as necessary if they are to finish well

The cross-country course covers approximately 275 to 4 miles along which sit 20-40 fixed and solid obstacles This phase is ridden at a gallop with exact speed requirements depending upon the level of competition Cross-country courses require horses and riders to be bold and smart while testing their physical stamina The aim of each horse-

and-rider combination must be to com-plete the course on time and with as few penalties as possible Penalties can be accrued through jumping errors (such as when the horse refuses or runs out at an obstacle the rider falls off on course etc) or by exceeding the optimum time allowed

Whereas cross-country is the focus on the second day of the so-called ldquoshort-formatrdquo (or ldquomodified-formatrdquo) event which is the most typical type of event-ing competition itrsquos only one part of the second phase in the older more tradi-tional ldquolong-formatrdquo (or ldquoclassic formatrdquo) event

In a long-format event this leg of the competition is called ldquoendurance dayrdquo and consists of the following four sub-phasesbull Phase A Roads and Tracks This is

Three-Day Event

vs Horse Trials

According to the USEA horse trials are competitions run over one two or three days under the rules of a countryrsquos national federation (in America that means the United States Equestrian Federation)

Three-day events are com-petitions run under Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) rules and denoted by an asterisk (as in CCI-CCI) Today the CIC (Concours International Combineacute) level is shorter in length and slower in speed and is used primarily to qualify for the CCI (Concours Complet International) level

A CCI must run one phase on each day and in the proper order whereas a CIC can run multiple phases in one day In horse trials there is no rule about the order in which the phases are run as long as dres-sage comes first

At unrecognized events or horse trials the phases can fall in any order that suits the management the competitors and their schedules

A dressage test such as those seen at Rolex Kentucky should demonstrate power and grace

sh

ar

a r

ut

be

rg

Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

55

considered a ldquowarm-uprdquo phase It is a mix of trotcanter and is 220mpm over about 3000 meters (depending on the level)

bull Phase B Steeplechasebull Phase C Roads and Tracks again

This one is longer closer to 5000 meters but is done at the same pace at Phase A

bull Phase D Cross-country This is the same as in a short-format event

bull There is a 10-minute vet check between C amp D Interestingly the long-format event

still exists only in America and is no longer recognized by equestrian sportrsquos international governing body the Federation Equestre Internationale which technically makes it a ldquohorse trialsrdquo (see sidebar)

Like most cross-country obstacles this fence at the Rocky Mountain Horse Trials presents different challenges than a show-ring jump

sh

ar

a r

ut

be

rg

How Good Riders Get GoodDenny Emerson

What do excellent riders possess that most do not This is a question that many ask but few have explored the sport of riding horses for an answer Denny Emerson an internationally known rider and one of the The Chronicle of the Horsersquos ldquo50 most influential horsemen of the Twentieth

Centuryrdquo has devoted years to thinking about this He has drawn the conclusion that there are seven factors that relate to becoming a world-class rider personal drive life circumstances support network knowledge physical skill character traits and the horse Hardcover 252 pages with 60 photos $2995 ZF690

Horse ProfilingThe Secret to Motivating Equine Athlete

While following wild horse herds in Wyoming and Montana independent researcher Kerry Thomas realized that it is inside the horse and not what is outside that governs herd dynamics He determined that this was the basis for everything horsemdashwhatever role a horse plays in a human environment whatever his breed sport or ldquojobrdquo his emotional conformation dictates in large part his success or failure

Thomas identified a system of emotional profiling that enables him to determine a horsersquos performance tendencies and then began to develop ways in which horses can be mentally conditioned toward a given goal

Hardcover 184 pages $2995 ZF755

The Eighty-Dollar Champion November 1958 the National Horse Show at

Madison Square Garden in New York City Into the rarefied atmosphere of wealth and tradition come the most unlikely of horsesmdasha drab white former plow horse named Snowmanmdashand his rider Harry de Leyer They were the longest of all longshotsmdashand their win was the stuff of legend

ZF740 $2600

1-800-952-5813 (shipping + tax addtrsquol)

Shop Now

Visit MyHorseDailycom Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

6

Eventing starts with choosing the right horse to partner you in entry-level competition

Your first event horse doesnrsquot need an extended trot that will score a 10 in dressage he doesnrsquot need to be able to gallop forever He needs to be fun to ride and fun to be around able to carry you safely and com-fortably around your first few entry-level events both in and (especially) out of the ring Donrsquot worry about your competitive results at this stage because your goal is to learn the sport

Your first event horse crossties stands politely for the vet and farrier loads easily and tacks up without problems Any horse that is unpredictable to work around in his stall or that kicks or rears is totally unacceptable

Under saddle your horse needs to have reasonable aptitude for the three different sports that make eventing such a unique challenge

Dressage starts with three good gaits I want to see a smooth free swinging walk I donrsquot want to see a choppy stride or a ten-dency for the horse to stub his toe or look ungenerous I want him to track upmdashthat is his hind foot should step ahead of the foot-print of the forefoot on the same sidemdashand I want to hear a steady rhythmic 1-2-3-4 with no obvious irregularities

The trot needs to be a cadenced 1-2 1-2 that covers the ground comfortably and attractively When you watch the horse being ridden his knee action shouldnrsquot bring a sewing machine to mind When you ride him he should be willing to maintain the trot in response to a mini-mal amount of pressure from your lower leg and heel

Yoursquore also looking for a horse with a regular clock-like three-beat canter For your level of eventing look for a horse who will hold himself in that canter You should not need a

death grip on the reins to prevent his speeding up and you should not need stick and spurs just to keep him cantering (again a little lower leg is OK)

In addition to three good gaits if your horse takes both leads steers well (turning easily in both directions) accepts the bit well and maintains a consistent head and neck position with the front of his face just ahead of the vertical he has the basic ingredients you need for the entry-level dres-sage tests

The cross-country phase is something new for the many riders whorsquove never ridden outside a ring before so itrsquos important to begin with a horse thatrsquos safe and sensible in the open If yoursquore trying out an event prospect for purchase be sure to arrange to take him out for a trot and canter along trails through the woods around open fields across rolling terrain and (if possible) through shallow water He needs to accept these situations as a matter of course

As an athlete the horse doesnrsquot need to be able to achieve racehorse fitness he does need to be able (with proper conditioning) to slow-canter twice the distance hersquoll cover cross-country with a short rest in the middle

In entry-level show jumping yoursquore more interested in riding a safe jumper than a clean jumper so the elements yoursquoll look for in jumping form are the things that most affect safety over fences When you watch him being ridden notice whether he invariably lifts his knees when he jumps A horse that jumps

with his knees lower than his elbows is not a good prospect because this form is unsafe Another grave fault If he jumps with one leg up and one hanging itrsquos a sign that he loses his balance off the ground making him unsafe for anyone to ride over fences

When you ride him over jumps you are looking once

Your First Event Horse

Go with a horse thatrsquos safe and sensible out-side of the ring or arena

Good gaits are a must especially in dressage

Co

ur

te

sy

of

us

ea

Co

ur

te

sy

of

us

ea

Adapted from the book ldquoCross Country with Jim Woffordrdquo by Jim Wofford (a compilation of Woffordrsquos articles from Practical Horseman magazine available at wwwhorsebooksetccom)

Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

7

Day Three Show JumpingThe third and final test at a three-day event takes place in the show-jumping arena A show-jumping course consists of a series of colored fences usually made up of lightweight rails that are easily knocked down The test takes place in an enclosed ring and the course must be ne-gotiated in order for the horse and rider to successfully complete the event This final phase tests the stamina and recov-ery of the horse after the cross-countryendurance phase and shows that it is fit enough to continue work

According to the FEI rule book ldquoThe test on the third day is not an ordinary show jumping competition hellip its sole object is to demonstrate that on the day after a severe test of endurance the horses have retained the suppleness energy and obedi-ence necessary for them to con-tinue in servicerdquo

The show jumping course requires very exact riding it consists of between 12 and 15

show jumping obstacles which normally include at least one combination two spread fences and in some cases a ditch

The courses are designed to test the horsersquos and riderrsquos ability to negotiate a variety of fences of differing heights widths and technicality This requires the horse to be balanced and supple for tight turns and short distances between fences He must be able to lengthen or shorten his stride in an instant Therefore the rider must know exactly where he is on the approach to a fence with an obedi-ent horse that will respond to his com-mands For the spectator this sport is both exciting and breathtaking to watch

more for regularity of pace You want to be able to canter up to a small fence jump it and then canter away at the same speed

If you already have a horse with which yoursquod like to try eventing and if he has comfortable gaits and is a safe jumper yoursquoll probably be able to get started in the sport with him (His dressage may be a work in progress for a while but as it improves yoursquoll also experience a payback in the other phases)

If yoursquore shopping for your first event horse where should you look A young racetrack reject is not a suitable candidate if yoursquore just learning the sport donrsquot take on a green horse as a project A better prospect is the experienced older eventing horse that is out of a job because his rider has gone off to college Hersquos likely to be offered at a reasonable price because hersquos no longer young His vet bills may be higher but he has a lot to teach you

I like Quarter Horses for entry-level eventing and I like older warmbloods whorsquove been around the block Of course anyone who knows me knows my personal fond-ness for Thoroughbreds I donrsquot steer entry-level riders away from this wonderful breed but I do sug-gest you look for a Thoroughbred who no longer wants to be first out of the starting gate

Jim Wofford has represented the US in eventing at three Olympics and two World Championships he has won the US National Championship five times on five different horses As a coach he has had at least one student on every US Olympic World Championship and Pan American team since 1978 He is a regular col-umnist for Practical Horseman maga-zine and the author of four books

Precision is key in show jumping as one rail down can make a difference in the final standings

C

ou

rt

es

y o

f u

se

aC

ou

rt

es

ty

of

us

ea

Visit MyHorseDailycom8

Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

8

CreditsEventing A Guide to the Three-Day Eventing Elements of Dressage Cross-Country and Show Jumping

This report is brought to you with the permission of the United States Eventing Association and by the editors of Practical Horseman magazine

as just one single rail knocked down can change the final standings dramatically

At the end of the competition scores for all the competitors are totaled Each test is scored individually and the penal-ties accrued are added together for the final results The lowest score is the win-ning score In the case of a team competi-tion the individual scores of each of the team members are added together If all team members have completed the com-petition the best three scores count and the team with the lowest team total is pronounced the winner

The Levels of EventingWith its variation in levels and difficulty and wide range of competitions available

all across the country eventing is a sport that provides competitive and recreation-al opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds as well as horses of all levels of training

Even if you have been competing in other equestrian sports for a long time it is still a good idea to start at the Beginner Novice Level Going to your first event is stressful enough so by having the jumps low and dressage tests relatively straight-forward you will be able to get your bear-ings in a less intense environment

Generally speaking there are six levels of eventing competition in the United States with international events having levels designated by the star system For more information visit useventingcom

bull VisitMyHorseDailycomfordailyarticlesonallthingshorses

bull SubscribetoMyHorse Dailyandweeklye-newslettersfreehow-tovideostipsandmuchmore

bull PerusehundredsofhorsebooksandDVDsatourstoreHorseBooksEtccom

PR

AC

TICA

L HO

RS

EMA

N

Spe

cial Eve

nting Issue

MAY

2012

Clark Montgomery and Universe

79 Cool Fashions and Hot Products for Every Budget

Expert how-to for English riders

May 2012

Build a Foundation for

Horse-Sale Commission Questions Answered

IN PERSPECTIVE

Clark Montgomery GOALS

EHV-1 Is Your Horse at RISK

WOFFORDrsquoS TAKE ON CURRENT TRENDS

SHARPEN STADIUM Katie Monahan Prudent

with

SKILLS

PERFORMANCE

SPECIALEVENTING

ISSUE

HIGHER DRESSAGEamp X-C

KEEPING OLYMPIC

Explanation of levels

Level Dressage Cross-Country Show Jumping

Beginner Beginner Novice A Distance ndash 1400-2000m Speed ndash 300mpm Novice Beginner Novice B Speed ndash 300-350 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash14-18 Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo (3rsquo Brush)

Novice Novice A Distance ndash 1600-2200m Speed ndash 320mpm Novice B Speed ndash 350-400 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash16-20 Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo (3rsquo7rdquo Brush)

Training Training A Distance ndash 2000-2600m Speed ndash 325mpm Training B Speed ndash 420-470 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash10-12 Number of Obstaclesndash20-24 Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo (3rsquo11rdquo Brush)

Preliminary Preliminary A Distance ndash 2200-3300m Speed ndash 350mpm Preliminary B Speed ndash 520 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash11-13 Preliminary C Number of Obstaclesndash22-30 Height ndash 3rsquo7rdquo

Intermediate Intermediate A Distance ndash 2600-3800m Speed ndash 350mpm Intermediate B Speed ndash 550 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash12-14 Number of Obstaclesndash26-34 Height ndash 3rsquo11

Advanced Advanced A Distance ndash 3200-4400m Speed ndash 375 mpm Advanced B Speed ndash 570 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash13-15 Height ndash 3rsquo11 (4rsquo7rdquo Brush) Height ndash 4rsquo1rdquo

Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

3

a true ldquoequestrian triathlonrdquo three-day eventing (or simply ldquoeventingrdquo) was de-veloped from the test of the ideal military or cavalry mount Over the last century it has evolved into an exciting sport attract-ing all levels of enthusiasts from weekend

hobby riders to professional international stars It is the ultimate challenge to prepare a horse for

this rigorous test Unlike other sports where only the human will and body are pitted against the clock in eventing two minds and bodies work as one As an additional attraction eventing is the only high-risk Olympic sport where men and women compete as equals with no separate divisions Some of the top riders in the world today are women from all over the globe

The sport itself involves working with a horse both on the flat and over fences in three distinct phases of competition These phases are dressage cross-countryendurance and show jumping

Day One DressageThe dressage phase begins every eventing competition In French dressage means ldquotrainingrdquo Originally de-signed to show the horsersquos ability to perform intricate movements on the parade involved with reviewing troops today the dressage test comprises a set series of movements performed in an enclosed arena Precision smoothness suppleness and complete obedience show off the horsersquos obedience Ideally the horse appears to perform the testrsquos movements of its own accord working in harmony with its rider The test is scored on each movement rather like the scoring of the com-pulsories in figure skating with the overall harmony

Adapted from articles on wwwdiscovereventingcom with permission of the United States Eventing Association

Want to learn more about eventing

Herersquos a primer on this challenging equestrian sport with expert tips about choosing your first mount

Co

ur

te

sy

us

ea

Dressage is judged on a horsersquos performance of a set series of movements

Visit MyHorseDailycom Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

44

and precision of the test taken into consideration

Dressage is also very important to the three-day event horse because it helps develop the muscular strength and sup-pleness needed for the other two phases of competition cross-countryendurance and show jumping where the horse must be very fit and strong and able to lengthen and shorten stride at a gallop

The purpose of the dressage test is to demonstrate the level of communication between the horse and rider and display the power and grace required to perform each movement with balance rhythm and suppleness Due to the demands of the sport the three-day event horse is extremely fit and only well-schooled rid-ers possess the skills and strength needed to harness and direct that energy into a polished and powerful performance

Day Two Cross-CountryEnduranceThe cross-country test takes place on the second day of competi-tion The object of this test is to prove the speed endurance and jumping ability of the horse over varied terrain and obstacles In order to accomplish this task the horse and rider must be at peak condition The horse must be brave and obedient and the rider must use knowledge of pace in order to expend only as much of the horsersquos energy as necessary if they are to finish well

The cross-country course covers approximately 275 to 4 miles along which sit 20-40 fixed and solid obstacles This phase is ridden at a gallop with exact speed requirements depending upon the level of competition Cross-country courses require horses and riders to be bold and smart while testing their physical stamina The aim of each horse-

and-rider combination must be to com-plete the course on time and with as few penalties as possible Penalties can be accrued through jumping errors (such as when the horse refuses or runs out at an obstacle the rider falls off on course etc) or by exceeding the optimum time allowed

Whereas cross-country is the focus on the second day of the so-called ldquoshort-formatrdquo (or ldquomodified-formatrdquo) event which is the most typical type of event-ing competition itrsquos only one part of the second phase in the older more tradi-tional ldquolong-formatrdquo (or ldquoclassic formatrdquo) event

In a long-format event this leg of the competition is called ldquoendurance dayrdquo and consists of the following four sub-phasesbull Phase A Roads and Tracks This is

Three-Day Event

vs Horse Trials

According to the USEA horse trials are competitions run over one two or three days under the rules of a countryrsquos national federation (in America that means the United States Equestrian Federation)

Three-day events are com-petitions run under Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) rules and denoted by an asterisk (as in CCI-CCI) Today the CIC (Concours International Combineacute) level is shorter in length and slower in speed and is used primarily to qualify for the CCI (Concours Complet International) level

A CCI must run one phase on each day and in the proper order whereas a CIC can run multiple phases in one day In horse trials there is no rule about the order in which the phases are run as long as dres-sage comes first

At unrecognized events or horse trials the phases can fall in any order that suits the management the competitors and their schedules

A dressage test such as those seen at Rolex Kentucky should demonstrate power and grace

sh

ar

a r

ut

be

rg

Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

55

considered a ldquowarm-uprdquo phase It is a mix of trotcanter and is 220mpm over about 3000 meters (depending on the level)

bull Phase B Steeplechasebull Phase C Roads and Tracks again

This one is longer closer to 5000 meters but is done at the same pace at Phase A

bull Phase D Cross-country This is the same as in a short-format event

bull There is a 10-minute vet check between C amp D Interestingly the long-format event

still exists only in America and is no longer recognized by equestrian sportrsquos international governing body the Federation Equestre Internationale which technically makes it a ldquohorse trialsrdquo (see sidebar)

Like most cross-country obstacles this fence at the Rocky Mountain Horse Trials presents different challenges than a show-ring jump

sh

ar

a r

ut

be

rg

How Good Riders Get GoodDenny Emerson

What do excellent riders possess that most do not This is a question that many ask but few have explored the sport of riding horses for an answer Denny Emerson an internationally known rider and one of the The Chronicle of the Horsersquos ldquo50 most influential horsemen of the Twentieth

Centuryrdquo has devoted years to thinking about this He has drawn the conclusion that there are seven factors that relate to becoming a world-class rider personal drive life circumstances support network knowledge physical skill character traits and the horse Hardcover 252 pages with 60 photos $2995 ZF690

Horse ProfilingThe Secret to Motivating Equine Athlete

While following wild horse herds in Wyoming and Montana independent researcher Kerry Thomas realized that it is inside the horse and not what is outside that governs herd dynamics He determined that this was the basis for everything horsemdashwhatever role a horse plays in a human environment whatever his breed sport or ldquojobrdquo his emotional conformation dictates in large part his success or failure

Thomas identified a system of emotional profiling that enables him to determine a horsersquos performance tendencies and then began to develop ways in which horses can be mentally conditioned toward a given goal

Hardcover 184 pages $2995 ZF755

The Eighty-Dollar Champion November 1958 the National Horse Show at

Madison Square Garden in New York City Into the rarefied atmosphere of wealth and tradition come the most unlikely of horsesmdasha drab white former plow horse named Snowmanmdashand his rider Harry de Leyer They were the longest of all longshotsmdashand their win was the stuff of legend

ZF740 $2600

1-800-952-5813 (shipping + tax addtrsquol)

Shop Now

Visit MyHorseDailycom Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

6

Eventing starts with choosing the right horse to partner you in entry-level competition

Your first event horse doesnrsquot need an extended trot that will score a 10 in dressage he doesnrsquot need to be able to gallop forever He needs to be fun to ride and fun to be around able to carry you safely and com-fortably around your first few entry-level events both in and (especially) out of the ring Donrsquot worry about your competitive results at this stage because your goal is to learn the sport

Your first event horse crossties stands politely for the vet and farrier loads easily and tacks up without problems Any horse that is unpredictable to work around in his stall or that kicks or rears is totally unacceptable

Under saddle your horse needs to have reasonable aptitude for the three different sports that make eventing such a unique challenge

Dressage starts with three good gaits I want to see a smooth free swinging walk I donrsquot want to see a choppy stride or a ten-dency for the horse to stub his toe or look ungenerous I want him to track upmdashthat is his hind foot should step ahead of the foot-print of the forefoot on the same sidemdashand I want to hear a steady rhythmic 1-2-3-4 with no obvious irregularities

The trot needs to be a cadenced 1-2 1-2 that covers the ground comfortably and attractively When you watch the horse being ridden his knee action shouldnrsquot bring a sewing machine to mind When you ride him he should be willing to maintain the trot in response to a mini-mal amount of pressure from your lower leg and heel

Yoursquore also looking for a horse with a regular clock-like three-beat canter For your level of eventing look for a horse who will hold himself in that canter You should not need a

death grip on the reins to prevent his speeding up and you should not need stick and spurs just to keep him cantering (again a little lower leg is OK)

In addition to three good gaits if your horse takes both leads steers well (turning easily in both directions) accepts the bit well and maintains a consistent head and neck position with the front of his face just ahead of the vertical he has the basic ingredients you need for the entry-level dres-sage tests

The cross-country phase is something new for the many riders whorsquove never ridden outside a ring before so itrsquos important to begin with a horse thatrsquos safe and sensible in the open If yoursquore trying out an event prospect for purchase be sure to arrange to take him out for a trot and canter along trails through the woods around open fields across rolling terrain and (if possible) through shallow water He needs to accept these situations as a matter of course

As an athlete the horse doesnrsquot need to be able to achieve racehorse fitness he does need to be able (with proper conditioning) to slow-canter twice the distance hersquoll cover cross-country with a short rest in the middle

In entry-level show jumping yoursquore more interested in riding a safe jumper than a clean jumper so the elements yoursquoll look for in jumping form are the things that most affect safety over fences When you watch him being ridden notice whether he invariably lifts his knees when he jumps A horse that jumps

with his knees lower than his elbows is not a good prospect because this form is unsafe Another grave fault If he jumps with one leg up and one hanging itrsquos a sign that he loses his balance off the ground making him unsafe for anyone to ride over fences

When you ride him over jumps you are looking once

Your First Event Horse

Go with a horse thatrsquos safe and sensible out-side of the ring or arena

Good gaits are a must especially in dressage

Co

ur

te

sy

of

us

ea

Co

ur

te

sy

of

us

ea

Adapted from the book ldquoCross Country with Jim Woffordrdquo by Jim Wofford (a compilation of Woffordrsquos articles from Practical Horseman magazine available at wwwhorsebooksetccom)

Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

7

Day Three Show JumpingThe third and final test at a three-day event takes place in the show-jumping arena A show-jumping course consists of a series of colored fences usually made up of lightweight rails that are easily knocked down The test takes place in an enclosed ring and the course must be ne-gotiated in order for the horse and rider to successfully complete the event This final phase tests the stamina and recov-ery of the horse after the cross-countryendurance phase and shows that it is fit enough to continue work

According to the FEI rule book ldquoThe test on the third day is not an ordinary show jumping competition hellip its sole object is to demonstrate that on the day after a severe test of endurance the horses have retained the suppleness energy and obedi-ence necessary for them to con-tinue in servicerdquo

The show jumping course requires very exact riding it consists of between 12 and 15

show jumping obstacles which normally include at least one combination two spread fences and in some cases a ditch

The courses are designed to test the horsersquos and riderrsquos ability to negotiate a variety of fences of differing heights widths and technicality This requires the horse to be balanced and supple for tight turns and short distances between fences He must be able to lengthen or shorten his stride in an instant Therefore the rider must know exactly where he is on the approach to a fence with an obedi-ent horse that will respond to his com-mands For the spectator this sport is both exciting and breathtaking to watch

more for regularity of pace You want to be able to canter up to a small fence jump it and then canter away at the same speed

If you already have a horse with which yoursquod like to try eventing and if he has comfortable gaits and is a safe jumper yoursquoll probably be able to get started in the sport with him (His dressage may be a work in progress for a while but as it improves yoursquoll also experience a payback in the other phases)

If yoursquore shopping for your first event horse where should you look A young racetrack reject is not a suitable candidate if yoursquore just learning the sport donrsquot take on a green horse as a project A better prospect is the experienced older eventing horse that is out of a job because his rider has gone off to college Hersquos likely to be offered at a reasonable price because hersquos no longer young His vet bills may be higher but he has a lot to teach you

I like Quarter Horses for entry-level eventing and I like older warmbloods whorsquove been around the block Of course anyone who knows me knows my personal fond-ness for Thoroughbreds I donrsquot steer entry-level riders away from this wonderful breed but I do sug-gest you look for a Thoroughbred who no longer wants to be first out of the starting gate

Jim Wofford has represented the US in eventing at three Olympics and two World Championships he has won the US National Championship five times on five different horses As a coach he has had at least one student on every US Olympic World Championship and Pan American team since 1978 He is a regular col-umnist for Practical Horseman maga-zine and the author of four books

Precision is key in show jumping as one rail down can make a difference in the final standings

C

ou

rt

es

y o

f u

se

aC

ou

rt

es

ty

of

us

ea

Visit MyHorseDailycom8

Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

8

CreditsEventing A Guide to the Three-Day Eventing Elements of Dressage Cross-Country and Show Jumping

This report is brought to you with the permission of the United States Eventing Association and by the editors of Practical Horseman magazine

as just one single rail knocked down can change the final standings dramatically

At the end of the competition scores for all the competitors are totaled Each test is scored individually and the penal-ties accrued are added together for the final results The lowest score is the win-ning score In the case of a team competi-tion the individual scores of each of the team members are added together If all team members have completed the com-petition the best three scores count and the team with the lowest team total is pronounced the winner

The Levels of EventingWith its variation in levels and difficulty and wide range of competitions available

all across the country eventing is a sport that provides competitive and recreation-al opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds as well as horses of all levels of training

Even if you have been competing in other equestrian sports for a long time it is still a good idea to start at the Beginner Novice Level Going to your first event is stressful enough so by having the jumps low and dressage tests relatively straight-forward you will be able to get your bear-ings in a less intense environment

Generally speaking there are six levels of eventing competition in the United States with international events having levels designated by the star system For more information visit useventingcom

bull VisitMyHorseDailycomfordailyarticlesonallthingshorses

bull SubscribetoMyHorse Dailyandweeklye-newslettersfreehow-tovideostipsandmuchmore

bull PerusehundredsofhorsebooksandDVDsatourstoreHorseBooksEtccom

PR

AC

TICA

L HO

RS

EMA

N

Spe

cial Eve

nting Issue

MAY

2012

Clark Montgomery and Universe

79 Cool Fashions and Hot Products for Every Budget

Expert how-to for English riders

May 2012

Build a Foundation for

Horse-Sale Commission Questions Answered

IN PERSPECTIVE

Clark Montgomery GOALS

EHV-1 Is Your Horse at RISK

WOFFORDrsquoS TAKE ON CURRENT TRENDS

SHARPEN STADIUM Katie Monahan Prudent

with

SKILLS

PERFORMANCE

SPECIALEVENTING

ISSUE

HIGHER DRESSAGEamp X-C

KEEPING OLYMPIC

Explanation of levels

Level Dressage Cross-Country Show Jumping

Beginner Beginner Novice A Distance ndash 1400-2000m Speed ndash 300mpm Novice Beginner Novice B Speed ndash 300-350 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash14-18 Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo (3rsquo Brush)

Novice Novice A Distance ndash 1600-2200m Speed ndash 320mpm Novice B Speed ndash 350-400 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash16-20 Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo (3rsquo7rdquo Brush)

Training Training A Distance ndash 2000-2600m Speed ndash 325mpm Training B Speed ndash 420-470 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash10-12 Number of Obstaclesndash20-24 Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo (3rsquo11rdquo Brush)

Preliminary Preliminary A Distance ndash 2200-3300m Speed ndash 350mpm Preliminary B Speed ndash 520 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash11-13 Preliminary C Number of Obstaclesndash22-30 Height ndash 3rsquo7rdquo

Intermediate Intermediate A Distance ndash 2600-3800m Speed ndash 350mpm Intermediate B Speed ndash 550 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash12-14 Number of Obstaclesndash26-34 Height ndash 3rsquo11

Advanced Advanced A Distance ndash 3200-4400m Speed ndash 375 mpm Advanced B Speed ndash 570 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash13-15 Height ndash 3rsquo11 (4rsquo7rdquo Brush) Height ndash 4rsquo1rdquo

Visit MyHorseDailycom Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

44

and precision of the test taken into consideration

Dressage is also very important to the three-day event horse because it helps develop the muscular strength and sup-pleness needed for the other two phases of competition cross-countryendurance and show jumping where the horse must be very fit and strong and able to lengthen and shorten stride at a gallop

The purpose of the dressage test is to demonstrate the level of communication between the horse and rider and display the power and grace required to perform each movement with balance rhythm and suppleness Due to the demands of the sport the three-day event horse is extremely fit and only well-schooled rid-ers possess the skills and strength needed to harness and direct that energy into a polished and powerful performance

Day Two Cross-CountryEnduranceThe cross-country test takes place on the second day of competi-tion The object of this test is to prove the speed endurance and jumping ability of the horse over varied terrain and obstacles In order to accomplish this task the horse and rider must be at peak condition The horse must be brave and obedient and the rider must use knowledge of pace in order to expend only as much of the horsersquos energy as necessary if they are to finish well

The cross-country course covers approximately 275 to 4 miles along which sit 20-40 fixed and solid obstacles This phase is ridden at a gallop with exact speed requirements depending upon the level of competition Cross-country courses require horses and riders to be bold and smart while testing their physical stamina The aim of each horse-

and-rider combination must be to com-plete the course on time and with as few penalties as possible Penalties can be accrued through jumping errors (such as when the horse refuses or runs out at an obstacle the rider falls off on course etc) or by exceeding the optimum time allowed

Whereas cross-country is the focus on the second day of the so-called ldquoshort-formatrdquo (or ldquomodified-formatrdquo) event which is the most typical type of event-ing competition itrsquos only one part of the second phase in the older more tradi-tional ldquolong-formatrdquo (or ldquoclassic formatrdquo) event

In a long-format event this leg of the competition is called ldquoendurance dayrdquo and consists of the following four sub-phasesbull Phase A Roads and Tracks This is

Three-Day Event

vs Horse Trials

According to the USEA horse trials are competitions run over one two or three days under the rules of a countryrsquos national federation (in America that means the United States Equestrian Federation)

Three-day events are com-petitions run under Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) rules and denoted by an asterisk (as in CCI-CCI) Today the CIC (Concours International Combineacute) level is shorter in length and slower in speed and is used primarily to qualify for the CCI (Concours Complet International) level

A CCI must run one phase on each day and in the proper order whereas a CIC can run multiple phases in one day In horse trials there is no rule about the order in which the phases are run as long as dres-sage comes first

At unrecognized events or horse trials the phases can fall in any order that suits the management the competitors and their schedules

A dressage test such as those seen at Rolex Kentucky should demonstrate power and grace

sh

ar

a r

ut

be

rg

Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

55

considered a ldquowarm-uprdquo phase It is a mix of trotcanter and is 220mpm over about 3000 meters (depending on the level)

bull Phase B Steeplechasebull Phase C Roads and Tracks again

This one is longer closer to 5000 meters but is done at the same pace at Phase A

bull Phase D Cross-country This is the same as in a short-format event

bull There is a 10-minute vet check between C amp D Interestingly the long-format event

still exists only in America and is no longer recognized by equestrian sportrsquos international governing body the Federation Equestre Internationale which technically makes it a ldquohorse trialsrdquo (see sidebar)

Like most cross-country obstacles this fence at the Rocky Mountain Horse Trials presents different challenges than a show-ring jump

sh

ar

a r

ut

be

rg

How Good Riders Get GoodDenny Emerson

What do excellent riders possess that most do not This is a question that many ask but few have explored the sport of riding horses for an answer Denny Emerson an internationally known rider and one of the The Chronicle of the Horsersquos ldquo50 most influential horsemen of the Twentieth

Centuryrdquo has devoted years to thinking about this He has drawn the conclusion that there are seven factors that relate to becoming a world-class rider personal drive life circumstances support network knowledge physical skill character traits and the horse Hardcover 252 pages with 60 photos $2995 ZF690

Horse ProfilingThe Secret to Motivating Equine Athlete

While following wild horse herds in Wyoming and Montana independent researcher Kerry Thomas realized that it is inside the horse and not what is outside that governs herd dynamics He determined that this was the basis for everything horsemdashwhatever role a horse plays in a human environment whatever his breed sport or ldquojobrdquo his emotional conformation dictates in large part his success or failure

Thomas identified a system of emotional profiling that enables him to determine a horsersquos performance tendencies and then began to develop ways in which horses can be mentally conditioned toward a given goal

Hardcover 184 pages $2995 ZF755

The Eighty-Dollar Champion November 1958 the National Horse Show at

Madison Square Garden in New York City Into the rarefied atmosphere of wealth and tradition come the most unlikely of horsesmdasha drab white former plow horse named Snowmanmdashand his rider Harry de Leyer They were the longest of all longshotsmdashand their win was the stuff of legend

ZF740 $2600

1-800-952-5813 (shipping + tax addtrsquol)

Shop Now

Visit MyHorseDailycom Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

6

Eventing starts with choosing the right horse to partner you in entry-level competition

Your first event horse doesnrsquot need an extended trot that will score a 10 in dressage he doesnrsquot need to be able to gallop forever He needs to be fun to ride and fun to be around able to carry you safely and com-fortably around your first few entry-level events both in and (especially) out of the ring Donrsquot worry about your competitive results at this stage because your goal is to learn the sport

Your first event horse crossties stands politely for the vet and farrier loads easily and tacks up without problems Any horse that is unpredictable to work around in his stall or that kicks or rears is totally unacceptable

Under saddle your horse needs to have reasonable aptitude for the three different sports that make eventing such a unique challenge

Dressage starts with three good gaits I want to see a smooth free swinging walk I donrsquot want to see a choppy stride or a ten-dency for the horse to stub his toe or look ungenerous I want him to track upmdashthat is his hind foot should step ahead of the foot-print of the forefoot on the same sidemdashand I want to hear a steady rhythmic 1-2-3-4 with no obvious irregularities

The trot needs to be a cadenced 1-2 1-2 that covers the ground comfortably and attractively When you watch the horse being ridden his knee action shouldnrsquot bring a sewing machine to mind When you ride him he should be willing to maintain the trot in response to a mini-mal amount of pressure from your lower leg and heel

Yoursquore also looking for a horse with a regular clock-like three-beat canter For your level of eventing look for a horse who will hold himself in that canter You should not need a

death grip on the reins to prevent his speeding up and you should not need stick and spurs just to keep him cantering (again a little lower leg is OK)

In addition to three good gaits if your horse takes both leads steers well (turning easily in both directions) accepts the bit well and maintains a consistent head and neck position with the front of his face just ahead of the vertical he has the basic ingredients you need for the entry-level dres-sage tests

The cross-country phase is something new for the many riders whorsquove never ridden outside a ring before so itrsquos important to begin with a horse thatrsquos safe and sensible in the open If yoursquore trying out an event prospect for purchase be sure to arrange to take him out for a trot and canter along trails through the woods around open fields across rolling terrain and (if possible) through shallow water He needs to accept these situations as a matter of course

As an athlete the horse doesnrsquot need to be able to achieve racehorse fitness he does need to be able (with proper conditioning) to slow-canter twice the distance hersquoll cover cross-country with a short rest in the middle

In entry-level show jumping yoursquore more interested in riding a safe jumper than a clean jumper so the elements yoursquoll look for in jumping form are the things that most affect safety over fences When you watch him being ridden notice whether he invariably lifts his knees when he jumps A horse that jumps

with his knees lower than his elbows is not a good prospect because this form is unsafe Another grave fault If he jumps with one leg up and one hanging itrsquos a sign that he loses his balance off the ground making him unsafe for anyone to ride over fences

When you ride him over jumps you are looking once

Your First Event Horse

Go with a horse thatrsquos safe and sensible out-side of the ring or arena

Good gaits are a must especially in dressage

Co

ur

te

sy

of

us

ea

Co

ur

te

sy

of

us

ea

Adapted from the book ldquoCross Country with Jim Woffordrdquo by Jim Wofford (a compilation of Woffordrsquos articles from Practical Horseman magazine available at wwwhorsebooksetccom)

Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

7

Day Three Show JumpingThe third and final test at a three-day event takes place in the show-jumping arena A show-jumping course consists of a series of colored fences usually made up of lightweight rails that are easily knocked down The test takes place in an enclosed ring and the course must be ne-gotiated in order for the horse and rider to successfully complete the event This final phase tests the stamina and recov-ery of the horse after the cross-countryendurance phase and shows that it is fit enough to continue work

According to the FEI rule book ldquoThe test on the third day is not an ordinary show jumping competition hellip its sole object is to demonstrate that on the day after a severe test of endurance the horses have retained the suppleness energy and obedi-ence necessary for them to con-tinue in servicerdquo

The show jumping course requires very exact riding it consists of between 12 and 15

show jumping obstacles which normally include at least one combination two spread fences and in some cases a ditch

The courses are designed to test the horsersquos and riderrsquos ability to negotiate a variety of fences of differing heights widths and technicality This requires the horse to be balanced and supple for tight turns and short distances between fences He must be able to lengthen or shorten his stride in an instant Therefore the rider must know exactly where he is on the approach to a fence with an obedi-ent horse that will respond to his com-mands For the spectator this sport is both exciting and breathtaking to watch

more for regularity of pace You want to be able to canter up to a small fence jump it and then canter away at the same speed

If you already have a horse with which yoursquod like to try eventing and if he has comfortable gaits and is a safe jumper yoursquoll probably be able to get started in the sport with him (His dressage may be a work in progress for a while but as it improves yoursquoll also experience a payback in the other phases)

If yoursquore shopping for your first event horse where should you look A young racetrack reject is not a suitable candidate if yoursquore just learning the sport donrsquot take on a green horse as a project A better prospect is the experienced older eventing horse that is out of a job because his rider has gone off to college Hersquos likely to be offered at a reasonable price because hersquos no longer young His vet bills may be higher but he has a lot to teach you

I like Quarter Horses for entry-level eventing and I like older warmbloods whorsquove been around the block Of course anyone who knows me knows my personal fond-ness for Thoroughbreds I donrsquot steer entry-level riders away from this wonderful breed but I do sug-gest you look for a Thoroughbred who no longer wants to be first out of the starting gate

Jim Wofford has represented the US in eventing at three Olympics and two World Championships he has won the US National Championship five times on five different horses As a coach he has had at least one student on every US Olympic World Championship and Pan American team since 1978 He is a regular col-umnist for Practical Horseman maga-zine and the author of four books

Precision is key in show jumping as one rail down can make a difference in the final standings

C

ou

rt

es

y o

f u

se

aC

ou

rt

es

ty

of

us

ea

Visit MyHorseDailycom8

Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

8

CreditsEventing A Guide to the Three-Day Eventing Elements of Dressage Cross-Country and Show Jumping

This report is brought to you with the permission of the United States Eventing Association and by the editors of Practical Horseman magazine

as just one single rail knocked down can change the final standings dramatically

At the end of the competition scores for all the competitors are totaled Each test is scored individually and the penal-ties accrued are added together for the final results The lowest score is the win-ning score In the case of a team competi-tion the individual scores of each of the team members are added together If all team members have completed the com-petition the best three scores count and the team with the lowest team total is pronounced the winner

The Levels of EventingWith its variation in levels and difficulty and wide range of competitions available

all across the country eventing is a sport that provides competitive and recreation-al opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds as well as horses of all levels of training

Even if you have been competing in other equestrian sports for a long time it is still a good idea to start at the Beginner Novice Level Going to your first event is stressful enough so by having the jumps low and dressage tests relatively straight-forward you will be able to get your bear-ings in a less intense environment

Generally speaking there are six levels of eventing competition in the United States with international events having levels designated by the star system For more information visit useventingcom

bull VisitMyHorseDailycomfordailyarticlesonallthingshorses

bull SubscribetoMyHorse Dailyandweeklye-newslettersfreehow-tovideostipsandmuchmore

bull PerusehundredsofhorsebooksandDVDsatourstoreHorseBooksEtccom

PR

AC

TICA

L HO

RS

EMA

N

Spe

cial Eve

nting Issue

MAY

2012

Clark Montgomery and Universe

79 Cool Fashions and Hot Products for Every Budget

Expert how-to for English riders

May 2012

Build a Foundation for

Horse-Sale Commission Questions Answered

IN PERSPECTIVE

Clark Montgomery GOALS

EHV-1 Is Your Horse at RISK

WOFFORDrsquoS TAKE ON CURRENT TRENDS

SHARPEN STADIUM Katie Monahan Prudent

with

SKILLS

PERFORMANCE

SPECIALEVENTING

ISSUE

HIGHER DRESSAGEamp X-C

KEEPING OLYMPIC

Explanation of levels

Level Dressage Cross-Country Show Jumping

Beginner Beginner Novice A Distance ndash 1400-2000m Speed ndash 300mpm Novice Beginner Novice B Speed ndash 300-350 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash14-18 Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo (3rsquo Brush)

Novice Novice A Distance ndash 1600-2200m Speed ndash 320mpm Novice B Speed ndash 350-400 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash16-20 Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo (3rsquo7rdquo Brush)

Training Training A Distance ndash 2000-2600m Speed ndash 325mpm Training B Speed ndash 420-470 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash10-12 Number of Obstaclesndash20-24 Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo (3rsquo11rdquo Brush)

Preliminary Preliminary A Distance ndash 2200-3300m Speed ndash 350mpm Preliminary B Speed ndash 520 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash11-13 Preliminary C Number of Obstaclesndash22-30 Height ndash 3rsquo7rdquo

Intermediate Intermediate A Distance ndash 2600-3800m Speed ndash 350mpm Intermediate B Speed ndash 550 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash12-14 Number of Obstaclesndash26-34 Height ndash 3rsquo11

Advanced Advanced A Distance ndash 3200-4400m Speed ndash 375 mpm Advanced B Speed ndash 570 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash13-15 Height ndash 3rsquo11 (4rsquo7rdquo Brush) Height ndash 4rsquo1rdquo

Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

55

considered a ldquowarm-uprdquo phase It is a mix of trotcanter and is 220mpm over about 3000 meters (depending on the level)

bull Phase B Steeplechasebull Phase C Roads and Tracks again

This one is longer closer to 5000 meters but is done at the same pace at Phase A

bull Phase D Cross-country This is the same as in a short-format event

bull There is a 10-minute vet check between C amp D Interestingly the long-format event

still exists only in America and is no longer recognized by equestrian sportrsquos international governing body the Federation Equestre Internationale which technically makes it a ldquohorse trialsrdquo (see sidebar)

Like most cross-country obstacles this fence at the Rocky Mountain Horse Trials presents different challenges than a show-ring jump

sh

ar

a r

ut

be

rg

How Good Riders Get GoodDenny Emerson

What do excellent riders possess that most do not This is a question that many ask but few have explored the sport of riding horses for an answer Denny Emerson an internationally known rider and one of the The Chronicle of the Horsersquos ldquo50 most influential horsemen of the Twentieth

Centuryrdquo has devoted years to thinking about this He has drawn the conclusion that there are seven factors that relate to becoming a world-class rider personal drive life circumstances support network knowledge physical skill character traits and the horse Hardcover 252 pages with 60 photos $2995 ZF690

Horse ProfilingThe Secret to Motivating Equine Athlete

While following wild horse herds in Wyoming and Montana independent researcher Kerry Thomas realized that it is inside the horse and not what is outside that governs herd dynamics He determined that this was the basis for everything horsemdashwhatever role a horse plays in a human environment whatever his breed sport or ldquojobrdquo his emotional conformation dictates in large part his success or failure

Thomas identified a system of emotional profiling that enables him to determine a horsersquos performance tendencies and then began to develop ways in which horses can be mentally conditioned toward a given goal

Hardcover 184 pages $2995 ZF755

The Eighty-Dollar Champion November 1958 the National Horse Show at

Madison Square Garden in New York City Into the rarefied atmosphere of wealth and tradition come the most unlikely of horsesmdasha drab white former plow horse named Snowmanmdashand his rider Harry de Leyer They were the longest of all longshotsmdashand their win was the stuff of legend

ZF740 $2600

1-800-952-5813 (shipping + tax addtrsquol)

Shop Now

Visit MyHorseDailycom Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

6

Eventing starts with choosing the right horse to partner you in entry-level competition

Your first event horse doesnrsquot need an extended trot that will score a 10 in dressage he doesnrsquot need to be able to gallop forever He needs to be fun to ride and fun to be around able to carry you safely and com-fortably around your first few entry-level events both in and (especially) out of the ring Donrsquot worry about your competitive results at this stage because your goal is to learn the sport

Your first event horse crossties stands politely for the vet and farrier loads easily and tacks up without problems Any horse that is unpredictable to work around in his stall or that kicks or rears is totally unacceptable

Under saddle your horse needs to have reasonable aptitude for the three different sports that make eventing such a unique challenge

Dressage starts with three good gaits I want to see a smooth free swinging walk I donrsquot want to see a choppy stride or a ten-dency for the horse to stub his toe or look ungenerous I want him to track upmdashthat is his hind foot should step ahead of the foot-print of the forefoot on the same sidemdashand I want to hear a steady rhythmic 1-2-3-4 with no obvious irregularities

The trot needs to be a cadenced 1-2 1-2 that covers the ground comfortably and attractively When you watch the horse being ridden his knee action shouldnrsquot bring a sewing machine to mind When you ride him he should be willing to maintain the trot in response to a mini-mal amount of pressure from your lower leg and heel

Yoursquore also looking for a horse with a regular clock-like three-beat canter For your level of eventing look for a horse who will hold himself in that canter You should not need a

death grip on the reins to prevent his speeding up and you should not need stick and spurs just to keep him cantering (again a little lower leg is OK)

In addition to three good gaits if your horse takes both leads steers well (turning easily in both directions) accepts the bit well and maintains a consistent head and neck position with the front of his face just ahead of the vertical he has the basic ingredients you need for the entry-level dres-sage tests

The cross-country phase is something new for the many riders whorsquove never ridden outside a ring before so itrsquos important to begin with a horse thatrsquos safe and sensible in the open If yoursquore trying out an event prospect for purchase be sure to arrange to take him out for a trot and canter along trails through the woods around open fields across rolling terrain and (if possible) through shallow water He needs to accept these situations as a matter of course

As an athlete the horse doesnrsquot need to be able to achieve racehorse fitness he does need to be able (with proper conditioning) to slow-canter twice the distance hersquoll cover cross-country with a short rest in the middle

In entry-level show jumping yoursquore more interested in riding a safe jumper than a clean jumper so the elements yoursquoll look for in jumping form are the things that most affect safety over fences When you watch him being ridden notice whether he invariably lifts his knees when he jumps A horse that jumps

with his knees lower than his elbows is not a good prospect because this form is unsafe Another grave fault If he jumps with one leg up and one hanging itrsquos a sign that he loses his balance off the ground making him unsafe for anyone to ride over fences

When you ride him over jumps you are looking once

Your First Event Horse

Go with a horse thatrsquos safe and sensible out-side of the ring or arena

Good gaits are a must especially in dressage

Co

ur

te

sy

of

us

ea

Co

ur

te

sy

of

us

ea

Adapted from the book ldquoCross Country with Jim Woffordrdquo by Jim Wofford (a compilation of Woffordrsquos articles from Practical Horseman magazine available at wwwhorsebooksetccom)

Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

7

Day Three Show JumpingThe third and final test at a three-day event takes place in the show-jumping arena A show-jumping course consists of a series of colored fences usually made up of lightweight rails that are easily knocked down The test takes place in an enclosed ring and the course must be ne-gotiated in order for the horse and rider to successfully complete the event This final phase tests the stamina and recov-ery of the horse after the cross-countryendurance phase and shows that it is fit enough to continue work

According to the FEI rule book ldquoThe test on the third day is not an ordinary show jumping competition hellip its sole object is to demonstrate that on the day after a severe test of endurance the horses have retained the suppleness energy and obedi-ence necessary for them to con-tinue in servicerdquo

The show jumping course requires very exact riding it consists of between 12 and 15

show jumping obstacles which normally include at least one combination two spread fences and in some cases a ditch

The courses are designed to test the horsersquos and riderrsquos ability to negotiate a variety of fences of differing heights widths and technicality This requires the horse to be balanced and supple for tight turns and short distances between fences He must be able to lengthen or shorten his stride in an instant Therefore the rider must know exactly where he is on the approach to a fence with an obedi-ent horse that will respond to his com-mands For the spectator this sport is both exciting and breathtaking to watch

more for regularity of pace You want to be able to canter up to a small fence jump it and then canter away at the same speed

If you already have a horse with which yoursquod like to try eventing and if he has comfortable gaits and is a safe jumper yoursquoll probably be able to get started in the sport with him (His dressage may be a work in progress for a while but as it improves yoursquoll also experience a payback in the other phases)

If yoursquore shopping for your first event horse where should you look A young racetrack reject is not a suitable candidate if yoursquore just learning the sport donrsquot take on a green horse as a project A better prospect is the experienced older eventing horse that is out of a job because his rider has gone off to college Hersquos likely to be offered at a reasonable price because hersquos no longer young His vet bills may be higher but he has a lot to teach you

I like Quarter Horses for entry-level eventing and I like older warmbloods whorsquove been around the block Of course anyone who knows me knows my personal fond-ness for Thoroughbreds I donrsquot steer entry-level riders away from this wonderful breed but I do sug-gest you look for a Thoroughbred who no longer wants to be first out of the starting gate

Jim Wofford has represented the US in eventing at three Olympics and two World Championships he has won the US National Championship five times on five different horses As a coach he has had at least one student on every US Olympic World Championship and Pan American team since 1978 He is a regular col-umnist for Practical Horseman maga-zine and the author of four books

Precision is key in show jumping as one rail down can make a difference in the final standings

C

ou

rt

es

y o

f u

se

aC

ou

rt

es

ty

of

us

ea

Visit MyHorseDailycom8

Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

8

CreditsEventing A Guide to the Three-Day Eventing Elements of Dressage Cross-Country and Show Jumping

This report is brought to you with the permission of the United States Eventing Association and by the editors of Practical Horseman magazine

as just one single rail knocked down can change the final standings dramatically

At the end of the competition scores for all the competitors are totaled Each test is scored individually and the penal-ties accrued are added together for the final results The lowest score is the win-ning score In the case of a team competi-tion the individual scores of each of the team members are added together If all team members have completed the com-petition the best three scores count and the team with the lowest team total is pronounced the winner

The Levels of EventingWith its variation in levels and difficulty and wide range of competitions available

all across the country eventing is a sport that provides competitive and recreation-al opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds as well as horses of all levels of training

Even if you have been competing in other equestrian sports for a long time it is still a good idea to start at the Beginner Novice Level Going to your first event is stressful enough so by having the jumps low and dressage tests relatively straight-forward you will be able to get your bear-ings in a less intense environment

Generally speaking there are six levels of eventing competition in the United States with international events having levels designated by the star system For more information visit useventingcom

bull VisitMyHorseDailycomfordailyarticlesonallthingshorses

bull SubscribetoMyHorse Dailyandweeklye-newslettersfreehow-tovideostipsandmuchmore

bull PerusehundredsofhorsebooksandDVDsatourstoreHorseBooksEtccom

PR

AC

TICA

L HO

RS

EMA

N

Spe

cial Eve

nting Issue

MAY

2012

Clark Montgomery and Universe

79 Cool Fashions and Hot Products for Every Budget

Expert how-to for English riders

May 2012

Build a Foundation for

Horse-Sale Commission Questions Answered

IN PERSPECTIVE

Clark Montgomery GOALS

EHV-1 Is Your Horse at RISK

WOFFORDrsquoS TAKE ON CURRENT TRENDS

SHARPEN STADIUM Katie Monahan Prudent

with

SKILLS

PERFORMANCE

SPECIALEVENTING

ISSUE

HIGHER DRESSAGEamp X-C

KEEPING OLYMPIC

Explanation of levels

Level Dressage Cross-Country Show Jumping

Beginner Beginner Novice A Distance ndash 1400-2000m Speed ndash 300mpm Novice Beginner Novice B Speed ndash 300-350 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash14-18 Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo (3rsquo Brush)

Novice Novice A Distance ndash 1600-2200m Speed ndash 320mpm Novice B Speed ndash 350-400 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash16-20 Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo (3rsquo7rdquo Brush)

Training Training A Distance ndash 2000-2600m Speed ndash 325mpm Training B Speed ndash 420-470 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash10-12 Number of Obstaclesndash20-24 Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo (3rsquo11rdquo Brush)

Preliminary Preliminary A Distance ndash 2200-3300m Speed ndash 350mpm Preliminary B Speed ndash 520 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash11-13 Preliminary C Number of Obstaclesndash22-30 Height ndash 3rsquo7rdquo

Intermediate Intermediate A Distance ndash 2600-3800m Speed ndash 350mpm Intermediate B Speed ndash 550 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash12-14 Number of Obstaclesndash26-34 Height ndash 3rsquo11

Advanced Advanced A Distance ndash 3200-4400m Speed ndash 375 mpm Advanced B Speed ndash 570 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash13-15 Height ndash 3rsquo11 (4rsquo7rdquo Brush) Height ndash 4rsquo1rdquo

Visit MyHorseDailycom Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

6

Eventing starts with choosing the right horse to partner you in entry-level competition

Your first event horse doesnrsquot need an extended trot that will score a 10 in dressage he doesnrsquot need to be able to gallop forever He needs to be fun to ride and fun to be around able to carry you safely and com-fortably around your first few entry-level events both in and (especially) out of the ring Donrsquot worry about your competitive results at this stage because your goal is to learn the sport

Your first event horse crossties stands politely for the vet and farrier loads easily and tacks up without problems Any horse that is unpredictable to work around in his stall or that kicks or rears is totally unacceptable

Under saddle your horse needs to have reasonable aptitude for the three different sports that make eventing such a unique challenge

Dressage starts with three good gaits I want to see a smooth free swinging walk I donrsquot want to see a choppy stride or a ten-dency for the horse to stub his toe or look ungenerous I want him to track upmdashthat is his hind foot should step ahead of the foot-print of the forefoot on the same sidemdashand I want to hear a steady rhythmic 1-2-3-4 with no obvious irregularities

The trot needs to be a cadenced 1-2 1-2 that covers the ground comfortably and attractively When you watch the horse being ridden his knee action shouldnrsquot bring a sewing machine to mind When you ride him he should be willing to maintain the trot in response to a mini-mal amount of pressure from your lower leg and heel

Yoursquore also looking for a horse with a regular clock-like three-beat canter For your level of eventing look for a horse who will hold himself in that canter You should not need a

death grip on the reins to prevent his speeding up and you should not need stick and spurs just to keep him cantering (again a little lower leg is OK)

In addition to three good gaits if your horse takes both leads steers well (turning easily in both directions) accepts the bit well and maintains a consistent head and neck position with the front of his face just ahead of the vertical he has the basic ingredients you need for the entry-level dres-sage tests

The cross-country phase is something new for the many riders whorsquove never ridden outside a ring before so itrsquos important to begin with a horse thatrsquos safe and sensible in the open If yoursquore trying out an event prospect for purchase be sure to arrange to take him out for a trot and canter along trails through the woods around open fields across rolling terrain and (if possible) through shallow water He needs to accept these situations as a matter of course

As an athlete the horse doesnrsquot need to be able to achieve racehorse fitness he does need to be able (with proper conditioning) to slow-canter twice the distance hersquoll cover cross-country with a short rest in the middle

In entry-level show jumping yoursquore more interested in riding a safe jumper than a clean jumper so the elements yoursquoll look for in jumping form are the things that most affect safety over fences When you watch him being ridden notice whether he invariably lifts his knees when he jumps A horse that jumps

with his knees lower than his elbows is not a good prospect because this form is unsafe Another grave fault If he jumps with one leg up and one hanging itrsquos a sign that he loses his balance off the ground making him unsafe for anyone to ride over fences

When you ride him over jumps you are looking once

Your First Event Horse

Go with a horse thatrsquos safe and sensible out-side of the ring or arena

Good gaits are a must especially in dressage

Co

ur

te

sy

of

us

ea

Co

ur

te

sy

of

us

ea

Adapted from the book ldquoCross Country with Jim Woffordrdquo by Jim Wofford (a compilation of Woffordrsquos articles from Practical Horseman magazine available at wwwhorsebooksetccom)

Visit MyHorseDailycomEquine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

7

Day Three Show JumpingThe third and final test at a three-day event takes place in the show-jumping arena A show-jumping course consists of a series of colored fences usually made up of lightweight rails that are easily knocked down The test takes place in an enclosed ring and the course must be ne-gotiated in order for the horse and rider to successfully complete the event This final phase tests the stamina and recov-ery of the horse after the cross-countryendurance phase and shows that it is fit enough to continue work

According to the FEI rule book ldquoThe test on the third day is not an ordinary show jumping competition hellip its sole object is to demonstrate that on the day after a severe test of endurance the horses have retained the suppleness energy and obedi-ence necessary for them to con-tinue in servicerdquo

The show jumping course requires very exact riding it consists of between 12 and 15

show jumping obstacles which normally include at least one combination two spread fences and in some cases a ditch

The courses are designed to test the horsersquos and riderrsquos ability to negotiate a variety of fences of differing heights widths and technicality This requires the horse to be balanced and supple for tight turns and short distances between fences He must be able to lengthen or shorten his stride in an instant Therefore the rider must know exactly where he is on the approach to a fence with an obedi-ent horse that will respond to his com-mands For the spectator this sport is both exciting and breathtaking to watch

more for regularity of pace You want to be able to canter up to a small fence jump it and then canter away at the same speed

If you already have a horse with which yoursquod like to try eventing and if he has comfortable gaits and is a safe jumper yoursquoll probably be able to get started in the sport with him (His dressage may be a work in progress for a while but as it improves yoursquoll also experience a payback in the other phases)

If yoursquore shopping for your first event horse where should you look A young racetrack reject is not a suitable candidate if yoursquore just learning the sport donrsquot take on a green horse as a project A better prospect is the experienced older eventing horse that is out of a job because his rider has gone off to college Hersquos likely to be offered at a reasonable price because hersquos no longer young His vet bills may be higher but he has a lot to teach you

I like Quarter Horses for entry-level eventing and I like older warmbloods whorsquove been around the block Of course anyone who knows me knows my personal fond-ness for Thoroughbreds I donrsquot steer entry-level riders away from this wonderful breed but I do sug-gest you look for a Thoroughbred who no longer wants to be first out of the starting gate

Jim Wofford has represented the US in eventing at three Olympics and two World Championships he has won the US National Championship five times on five different horses As a coach he has had at least one student on every US Olympic World Championship and Pan American team since 1978 He is a regular col-umnist for Practical Horseman maga-zine and the author of four books

Precision is key in show jumping as one rail down can make a difference in the final standings

C

ou

rt

es

y o

f u

se

aC

ou

rt

es

ty

of

us

ea

Visit MyHorseDailycom8

Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

8

CreditsEventing A Guide to the Three-Day Eventing Elements of Dressage Cross-Country and Show Jumping

This report is brought to you with the permission of the United States Eventing Association and by the editors of Practical Horseman magazine

as just one single rail knocked down can change the final standings dramatically

At the end of the competition scores for all the competitors are totaled Each test is scored individually and the penal-ties accrued are added together for the final results The lowest score is the win-ning score In the case of a team competi-tion the individual scores of each of the team members are added together If all team members have completed the com-petition the best three scores count and the team with the lowest team total is pronounced the winner

The Levels of EventingWith its variation in levels and difficulty and wide range of competitions available

all across the country eventing is a sport that provides competitive and recreation-al opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds as well as horses of all levels of training

Even if you have been competing in other equestrian sports for a long time it is still a good idea to start at the Beginner Novice Level Going to your first event is stressful enough so by having the jumps low and dressage tests relatively straight-forward you will be able to get your bear-ings in a less intense environment

Generally speaking there are six levels of eventing competition in the United States with international events having levels designated by the star system For more information visit useventingcom

bull VisitMyHorseDailycomfordailyarticlesonallthingshorses

bull SubscribetoMyHorse Dailyandweeklye-newslettersfreehow-tovideostipsandmuchmore

bull PerusehundredsofhorsebooksandDVDsatourstoreHorseBooksEtccom

PR

AC

TICA

L HO

RS

EMA

N

Spe

cial Eve

nting Issue

MAY

2012

Clark Montgomery and Universe

79 Cool Fashions and Hot Products for Every Budget

Expert how-to for English riders

May 2012

Build a Foundation for

Horse-Sale Commission Questions Answered

IN PERSPECTIVE

Clark Montgomery GOALS

EHV-1 Is Your Horse at RISK

WOFFORDrsquoS TAKE ON CURRENT TRENDS

SHARPEN STADIUM Katie Monahan Prudent

with

SKILLS

PERFORMANCE

SPECIALEVENTING

ISSUE

HIGHER DRESSAGEamp X-C

KEEPING OLYMPIC

Explanation of levels

Level Dressage Cross-Country Show Jumping

Beginner Beginner Novice A Distance ndash 1400-2000m Speed ndash 300mpm Novice Beginner Novice B Speed ndash 300-350 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash14-18 Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo (3rsquo Brush)

Novice Novice A Distance ndash 1600-2200m Speed ndash 320mpm Novice B Speed ndash 350-400 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash16-20 Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo (3rsquo7rdquo Brush)

Training Training A Distance ndash 2000-2600m Speed ndash 325mpm Training B Speed ndash 420-470 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash10-12 Number of Obstaclesndash20-24 Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo (3rsquo11rdquo Brush)

Preliminary Preliminary A Distance ndash 2200-3300m Speed ndash 350mpm Preliminary B Speed ndash 520 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash11-13 Preliminary C Number of Obstaclesndash22-30 Height ndash 3rsquo7rdquo

Intermediate Intermediate A Distance ndash 2600-3800m Speed ndash 350mpm Intermediate B Speed ndash 550 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash12-14 Number of Obstaclesndash26-34 Height ndash 3rsquo11

Advanced Advanced A Distance ndash 3200-4400m Speed ndash 375 mpm Advanced B Speed ndash 570 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash13-15 Height ndash 3rsquo11 (4rsquo7rdquo Brush) Height ndash 4rsquo1rdquo

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7

Day Three Show JumpingThe third and final test at a three-day event takes place in the show-jumping arena A show-jumping course consists of a series of colored fences usually made up of lightweight rails that are easily knocked down The test takes place in an enclosed ring and the course must be ne-gotiated in order for the horse and rider to successfully complete the event This final phase tests the stamina and recov-ery of the horse after the cross-countryendurance phase and shows that it is fit enough to continue work

According to the FEI rule book ldquoThe test on the third day is not an ordinary show jumping competition hellip its sole object is to demonstrate that on the day after a severe test of endurance the horses have retained the suppleness energy and obedi-ence necessary for them to con-tinue in servicerdquo

The show jumping course requires very exact riding it consists of between 12 and 15

show jumping obstacles which normally include at least one combination two spread fences and in some cases a ditch

The courses are designed to test the horsersquos and riderrsquos ability to negotiate a variety of fences of differing heights widths and technicality This requires the horse to be balanced and supple for tight turns and short distances between fences He must be able to lengthen or shorten his stride in an instant Therefore the rider must know exactly where he is on the approach to a fence with an obedi-ent horse that will respond to his com-mands For the spectator this sport is both exciting and breathtaking to watch

more for regularity of pace You want to be able to canter up to a small fence jump it and then canter away at the same speed

If you already have a horse with which yoursquod like to try eventing and if he has comfortable gaits and is a safe jumper yoursquoll probably be able to get started in the sport with him (His dressage may be a work in progress for a while but as it improves yoursquoll also experience a payback in the other phases)

If yoursquore shopping for your first event horse where should you look A young racetrack reject is not a suitable candidate if yoursquore just learning the sport donrsquot take on a green horse as a project A better prospect is the experienced older eventing horse that is out of a job because his rider has gone off to college Hersquos likely to be offered at a reasonable price because hersquos no longer young His vet bills may be higher but he has a lot to teach you

I like Quarter Horses for entry-level eventing and I like older warmbloods whorsquove been around the block Of course anyone who knows me knows my personal fond-ness for Thoroughbreds I donrsquot steer entry-level riders away from this wonderful breed but I do sug-gest you look for a Thoroughbred who no longer wants to be first out of the starting gate

Jim Wofford has represented the US in eventing at three Olympics and two World Championships he has won the US National Championship five times on five different horses As a coach he has had at least one student on every US Olympic World Championship and Pan American team since 1978 He is a regular col-umnist for Practical Horseman maga-zine and the author of four books

Precision is key in show jumping as one rail down can make a difference in the final standings

C

ou

rt

es

y o

f u

se

aC

ou

rt

es

ty

of

us

ea

Visit MyHorseDailycom8

Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

8

CreditsEventing A Guide to the Three-Day Eventing Elements of Dressage Cross-Country and Show Jumping

This report is brought to you with the permission of the United States Eventing Association and by the editors of Practical Horseman magazine

as just one single rail knocked down can change the final standings dramatically

At the end of the competition scores for all the competitors are totaled Each test is scored individually and the penal-ties accrued are added together for the final results The lowest score is the win-ning score In the case of a team competi-tion the individual scores of each of the team members are added together If all team members have completed the com-petition the best three scores count and the team with the lowest team total is pronounced the winner

The Levels of EventingWith its variation in levels and difficulty and wide range of competitions available

all across the country eventing is a sport that provides competitive and recreation-al opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds as well as horses of all levels of training

Even if you have been competing in other equestrian sports for a long time it is still a good idea to start at the Beginner Novice Level Going to your first event is stressful enough so by having the jumps low and dressage tests relatively straight-forward you will be able to get your bear-ings in a less intense environment

Generally speaking there are six levels of eventing competition in the United States with international events having levels designated by the star system For more information visit useventingcom

bull VisitMyHorseDailycomfordailyarticlesonallthingshorses

bull SubscribetoMyHorse Dailyandweeklye-newslettersfreehow-tovideostipsandmuchmore

bull PerusehundredsofhorsebooksandDVDsatourstoreHorseBooksEtccom

PR

AC

TICA

L HO

RS

EMA

N

Spe

cial Eve

nting Issue

MAY

2012

Clark Montgomery and Universe

79 Cool Fashions and Hot Products for Every Budget

Expert how-to for English riders

May 2012

Build a Foundation for

Horse-Sale Commission Questions Answered

IN PERSPECTIVE

Clark Montgomery GOALS

EHV-1 Is Your Horse at RISK

WOFFORDrsquoS TAKE ON CURRENT TRENDS

SHARPEN STADIUM Katie Monahan Prudent

with

SKILLS

PERFORMANCE

SPECIALEVENTING

ISSUE

HIGHER DRESSAGEamp X-C

KEEPING OLYMPIC

Explanation of levels

Level Dressage Cross-Country Show Jumping

Beginner Beginner Novice A Distance ndash 1400-2000m Speed ndash 300mpm Novice Beginner Novice B Speed ndash 300-350 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash14-18 Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo (3rsquo Brush)

Novice Novice A Distance ndash 1600-2200m Speed ndash 320mpm Novice B Speed ndash 350-400 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash16-20 Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo (3rsquo7rdquo Brush)

Training Training A Distance ndash 2000-2600m Speed ndash 325mpm Training B Speed ndash 420-470 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash10-12 Number of Obstaclesndash20-24 Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo (3rsquo11rdquo Brush)

Preliminary Preliminary A Distance ndash 2200-3300m Speed ndash 350mpm Preliminary B Speed ndash 520 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash11-13 Preliminary C Number of Obstaclesndash22-30 Height ndash 3rsquo7rdquo

Intermediate Intermediate A Distance ndash 2600-3800m Speed ndash 350mpm Intermediate B Speed ndash 550 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash12-14 Number of Obstaclesndash26-34 Height ndash 3rsquo11

Advanced Advanced A Distance ndash 3200-4400m Speed ndash 375 mpm Advanced B Speed ndash 570 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash13-15 Height ndash 3rsquo11 (4rsquo7rdquo Brush) Height ndash 4rsquo1rdquo

Visit MyHorseDailycom8

Equine NetworkNot to be reprintedAll rights reservedwwwMyHorseDailycom

8

CreditsEventing A Guide to the Three-Day Eventing Elements of Dressage Cross-Country and Show Jumping

This report is brought to you with the permission of the United States Eventing Association and by the editors of Practical Horseman magazine

as just one single rail knocked down can change the final standings dramatically

At the end of the competition scores for all the competitors are totaled Each test is scored individually and the penal-ties accrued are added together for the final results The lowest score is the win-ning score In the case of a team competi-tion the individual scores of each of the team members are added together If all team members have completed the com-petition the best three scores count and the team with the lowest team total is pronounced the winner

The Levels of EventingWith its variation in levels and difficulty and wide range of competitions available

all across the country eventing is a sport that provides competitive and recreation-al opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds as well as horses of all levels of training

Even if you have been competing in other equestrian sports for a long time it is still a good idea to start at the Beginner Novice Level Going to your first event is stressful enough so by having the jumps low and dressage tests relatively straight-forward you will be able to get your bear-ings in a less intense environment

Generally speaking there are six levels of eventing competition in the United States with international events having levels designated by the star system For more information visit useventingcom

bull VisitMyHorseDailycomfordailyarticlesonallthingshorses

bull SubscribetoMyHorse Dailyandweeklye-newslettersfreehow-tovideostipsandmuchmore

bull PerusehundredsofhorsebooksandDVDsatourstoreHorseBooksEtccom

PR

AC

TICA

L HO

RS

EMA

N

Spe

cial Eve

nting Issue

MAY

2012

Clark Montgomery and Universe

79 Cool Fashions and Hot Products for Every Budget

Expert how-to for English riders

May 2012

Build a Foundation for

Horse-Sale Commission Questions Answered

IN PERSPECTIVE

Clark Montgomery GOALS

EHV-1 Is Your Horse at RISK

WOFFORDrsquoS TAKE ON CURRENT TRENDS

SHARPEN STADIUM Katie Monahan Prudent

with

SKILLS

PERFORMANCE

SPECIALEVENTING

ISSUE

HIGHER DRESSAGEamp X-C

KEEPING OLYMPIC

Explanation of levels

Level Dressage Cross-Country Show Jumping

Beginner Beginner Novice A Distance ndash 1400-2000m Speed ndash 300mpm Novice Beginner Novice B Speed ndash 300-350 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash14-18 Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo7rdquo (3rsquo Brush)

Novice Novice A Distance ndash 1600-2200m Speed ndash 320mpm Novice B Speed ndash 350-400 mpm Number of Obstacles ndash 9-11 Number of Obstaclesndash16-20 Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo Height ndash 2rsquo11rdquo (3rsquo7rdquo Brush)

Training Training A Distance ndash 2000-2600m Speed ndash 325mpm Training B Speed ndash 420-470 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash10-12 Number of Obstaclesndash20-24 Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo Height ndash 3rsquo3rdquo (3rsquo11rdquo Brush)

Preliminary Preliminary A Distance ndash 2200-3300m Speed ndash 350mpm Preliminary B Speed ndash 520 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash11-13 Preliminary C Number of Obstaclesndash22-30 Height ndash 3rsquo7rdquo

Intermediate Intermediate A Distance ndash 2600-3800m Speed ndash 350mpm Intermediate B Speed ndash 550 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash12-14 Number of Obstaclesndash26-34 Height ndash 3rsquo11

Advanced Advanced A Distance ndash 3200-4400m Speed ndash 375 mpm Advanced B Speed ndash 570 mpm Number of Obstaclesndash13-15 Height ndash 3rsquo11 (4rsquo7rdquo Brush) Height ndash 4rsquo1rdquo