The Olympics are the biggest sporting event in the world. Athletes from around the globe travel to the Games every two years to compete in hundreds of events ranging from track and field to swimming and gymnastics. One event that has made its way into the Olympics is eventing, which is basically trail riding. The three main eventing disciplines are dressage, cross-country, and jumping. If you’d like to learn more about the Olympics and which eventing disciplines are, read on for details!
What is eventing?
Eventing is a team sport for horse and rider that combines cross-country riding, show-jumping, and hunt-jumping. The eventing team event has been a part of the Olympics since the 1984 Games in Los Angeles. The three main disciplines in eventing are dressage, cross-country, and jumping. Riders might be called competitors or athletes, and they compete as individuals or as a team in each discipline.
Dressage
Dressage is a set of rules and guidelines for the training and handling of horses. The aim of dressage is to create a calm and controlled horse. Horses are judged on their conformation, the way they are presented, the way they move, and how their hooves are. The judges look for a well-mannered and controlled horse, with correct posture and leg position. Riders are judged on their equitation (the way they ride), communication, and the overall impression they leave with the judges.
Cross-Country
The cross-country portion of eventing is where the horse and rider travel over natural and man-made obstacles. The goal is to complete the course in the fastest time without incurring penalties. Unlike cross-country running or cycling, the course in eventing is set up to accommodate the horse and rider. The course is usually between 10 and 20 miles long and has numerous obstacles. The horse and rider must navigate through a series of fences, water crossings, and ditches. The course is designed to test the horse’s strength, agility, and obedience. Riders must also be able to judge how fast the horse is going and make quick and accurate decisions.
Jumping/Hunt Seeking
Hunt Seeking is an event that first appeared at the 1932 Amsterdam Olympics. The event is a test of both horse and rider’s equitation, ability to read their horse, and the ability to ride through a course of natural and artificial jumps. The course usually has around 10 jumps, but it can be as short as 5 or as long as 20. The horse and rider usually start with a small course designed to help the rider build confidence and improve their skills. After the rider is comfortable with the course, the organizers will move forward to the main event.
Conclusion
The Olympics are the biggest sporting event in the world. Athletes from around the globe travel to the Games every two years to compete in hundreds of events ranging from track and field to swimming and gymnastics. One event that has made its way into the Olympics is eventing, which is basically trail riding. The three main eventing disciplines are dressage, cross-country, and jumping. If you’d like to learn more about the Olympics and which eventing disciplines are, read on for details!