The sport of Eventing is often referred to as the equestrian triathlon and probably rightly so but it is a whole lot more than that. The three phases of Eventing ensure that for each horse and rider to be successful they must complete a wide range of exercises and challenges as a team. It’s a not a sport for the faint at heart at times and certainly not for the impatient, but it is one of fun, adventure, personal application, much training and knowledge of how a horse and rider can combine as one.

Originally developed to be a test for the Military rider the sport has grown remarkably in recent years and takes on participants from all walks of life from nearly every country in the world.

The three phases of Eventing are Dressage, Endurance (often referred to simply as cross country) and Show Jumping. By putting the horse and rider through these three areas the organizers whether of a National or a local event can be sure the winner earns the right to take home the blue ribbon prize.

Dressage is the first test for the Eventer and the term comes from the French word meaning "training". Here the horse and rider must perform various movements in an enclosed ring according to the level they are competing in. The judges look for smoothness, suppleness and athletic movement that at times appears without assistance of the rider. The goal to achieve a look of complete harmony between the horse and rider.

The purpose of Dressage is to demonstrate that with persistent training both the horse and rider can achieve balance and control during each movement therefore allowing the horse to show its power, energy and grace to its limits.

The second Phase of Eventing is the Endurance phase which is often just referred to as Cross Country. In upper levels including World Championships and the Olympics the Endurance phase is split into four separate sub phases where the horse must have attained the peak of condition and have the rider demonstrate knowledge and skills to ride at correct pace and timing on roads and tracks and a steeplechase course.

For the lesser levels only the thrilling part of the Endurance phase is the cross country ride itself is conducted. Over up to 36 solid and spectacular jumps the rider must allow the horse to show its speed, endurance and tenacity to overcome obstacles of size and uncertainty. The skills and trust of the rider by the horse is forever evident in the Cross Country phase and the thrills it gives the rider, horse and spectators is like no other sport in the world.

Over a distance of up four miles the horse and rider might be confronted with ditches, and hurdles up to 4’ high and 10’ wide at the base. They will also be required to jump in and out of water, all at a speed equal to the required level that the entrant is required to maintain under the rules of the competition. As in both jumping phases of the event the horse and rider are clocked for speed, sometimes being too fast can be as detrimental as being too slow.

The great thing about this sport that events are nearly always designed for all levels with courses being constantly adjusted to suit the beginner and young rider up to the advanced and elite. So there is no need to worry that you will be required to jump high fences or gallop at speed. You can find a level and an event that suits you and your horse and stay at that level for many years even forever if you wish. Such is the attraction of competitive horse related activities it becomes a lifestyle as much as a sport of passion or acheivement.

The third of the three phases of the event is the Show Jumping phase which takes place in the jumping arena. After the first two phases are complete the purpose of the third is to show that the horse has retained its suppleness, energy and obedience under rider to continue to be of service like it was prior to the event starting.

The show jumping course is designed to require accuracy of both horse and rider. With tight turns and demanding combinations of width and height in obstacles the horse is required to respond to its rider but be balanced and in control. With varying distances between efforts the rider must adjust his horses stride pattern to suit whatever effort comes next and travel around the course with as few faults (fallen rails) as possible.

After sometimes three days off exacting competition the final Show jumping phase can make or break the final result for the horse and rider. This leads to a very exciting event for everyone concerned especially spectators as they can be up close and personal with all the action only yards away in a Show jumping finale.

Eventing is a sport like no other, it can take you places that your never dreamed about, it can enhance even further the wonderful relationship a horse and rider has. It can be about glory or it can be about a load of fun in the great outdoors. Whatever your view you will not ever be disappointed by being part of this sport.

Ed.