You’ve probably seen eventing on a horse at a horse show. It’s a combination of many different disciplines that put your horse’s mind and body to the test. An eventing horse must have excellent conformation (shape), be balanced and symmetrical, confident, and have excellent training and handling skills. If any of these characteristics are lacking, then your horse will have a difficult time completing the course successfully. A horse show eventing usually lasts about 4 hours and consists of three phases – warm-up, dressage, and cross-country jumping. Each phase has its own rules and regulations that must be followed to make sure everyone has a safe and fair experience. If you’re thinking about entering your horse in an eventing competition, read on for information about what it takes to be successful at this sport.
Warm-up
The first phase of an eventing course is the warm-up, which usually lasts about 30 to 45 minutes. During this time, the horse's handler will walk the horse around the course to help it settle down and get used to the surroundings. The warm-up is meant to get the horse’s heart rate and breathing rate low, so it can be ready to enter the next phase of the event with a consistent and controlled performance. You should be listening for and watching for the handler for signs that the horse is ready to move on. The handler should be able to control the horse’s speed and direction with very little direction from the rider. Throughout the course, the handler should look for signs that the horse is getting tired, such as shaky or uneven gaits, stumbling, or lack of concentration. If the horse shows any of these signs, the handler should immediately stop the course until the horse has regained its focus.
Dressage
Dressage is a style of showing that focuses on how well the horse performs its movements correctly. During dressage, the horse is ridden at a slow, controlled pace with the rider’s hands on the horse’s mouth. The rider communicates with the horse through subtle aids, such as leg pressure, seat pressure, and balance. The rider’s goal is to get the horse to perform its movements correctly and in a relaxed manner. The rider should be assessing the horse throughout the course, looking for signs of fatigue or uneasiness. If the horse begins to show signs of stress or uneasiness, the rider should stop the course immediately. The rider should be keeping a close eye on the horse’s breathing rate, as well. A horse that is fatigued or overheated will show signs of rapid, shallow breathing. This could be a sign that the horse is too fatigued to continue the course.
Cross-country
The cross-country phase lasts about 2 hours and consists of a series of obstacles such as ditches, fences, hills, and water. The horse must be fit, balanced, and confident to navigate these obstacles without mishap. The rider’s job is to keep the horse going in a straight line and to give as little direction to the horse as possible. While the horse is jumping, the rider must keep a steady, consistent hand position and hold the reins at a consistent distance. The rider must also be able to communicate with the horse so it knows what it needs to do next.
Conclusion
Overall, eventing is a fun and challenging event for horse enthusiasts. If your horse has been properly trained and conditioned, it is a great idea to enter it in an eventing competition. Make sure that your horse is healthy and has good training and handling skills before entering it in an event.