For those who are new to eventing and have never ridden at all there is likely to be a little apprehension about what to expect when they finally get out on horseback. While there are certain skills and physical attributes that every rider should possess, eventing is inherently not a beginner-friendly sport. However, there are a few categories of eventing that may be slightly more forgiving. For example, jumping, cross-country, and hunt seat. Even though these disciplines will require more skill than others, they are still beginner-friendly if you have a little bit of experience on a trail-riding horse. Here are some tips on how to get started in eventing and what event might be right for you!
What is eventing?
Eventing is a sport in which horse and rider pair up to complete a series of timed or untimed challenges. The challenges are set by the organization hosting the event and range from jumping and cross-country to stadium jumping and hunt-style. The horse and rider must complete the challenges in a set time frame in order to receive a score for that event. This score is then used to determine your final standing at the end of the weekend.
Jumping event
Jumping event is the most beginner-friendly event as it is the least technically demanding. The jumps are not set very high and are usually no more than 15-16 feet. Depending on the horse and the rider, the jumps can be negotiated with ease. The most important thing to remember about jumping event is that the timing and style of your horse matters a lot. It is crucial that you pick a horse that has the ability and temperament to be a good competitor. You should also make sure that the horse’s conformation is correct for the discipline. If you have a horse that is naturally bold and confident, this can come in handy when negotiating the jumps.
Cross-country event
Like jumping event, cross-country event is also beginner-friendly, but only if you have the right horse. Cross-country is a very challenging event that tests not only the rider and horse but also their ability to read a course from the ground. Cross-country event is also one of the most popular events among eventing participants. This is probably because it requires little skill and only requires a horse that can be ridden with a loose rein and has a good temperament. Cross-country event is set up in a large arena where the horse and rider navigate around a designated course. There are usually no jumps in this event, so if you have a horse with a sensitive and high-strung temperament, this might not be the event for you.
Hunt seat event
Most horse owners will tell you that hunt seat event requires the most skill out of all the disciplines. However, this does not mean that it is not beginner-friendly. If you have a horse with a good temperament and a bit of experience under their belt, they can be very successful in this event. Hunt seat event is set in a large stadium where the rider navigates their horse around a designated course. The course usually has a variety of challenges such as water crossings, obstacles, and sand, all of which require a lot of skill to navigate around. Hunt seat event is a very challenging event that requires a lot of patience and practice. There are no clear rules or set guidelines that you can follow, so you have to feel your way around the course until you find a way to navigate successfully around the obstacles.
Conclusion
There are many different events in eventing, so it is important to find the one that you are comfortable with. If you have a horse that excels at jumping and cross-country events, then you should probably start off with those. If you have a horse that is naturally bold and confident, you can try jumping events. Cross-country event is another good choice if you want to ease into eventing. Whatever event you choose, you are sure to have a lot of fun!