In honor of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event taking place this weekend, I think it's imperative that I somehow to try explain my love of Eventing to the world.
Now, whenever I try to explain this sport that I love so much to the average clueless person, I always find myself struggling for words.
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As I'm sure many other eventers can relate, the extremely simplified version typically goes a little something like this:
Three-Day Eventing is an equestrian sport with three phases, kinda like a triathlon for ponies.
Dressage
It's somewhat like a crossover between ballet and gymnastics for ponies.
(Insert weird and judgmental looks here.)
Cross Country
It's what the eventers live and breathe for. We gallop our ponies in giant fields and jump them over large solid objects.
(It's actually a lot more exhilarating than it sounds.)
Show Jumping
We ride around in a ring and jump our ponies over giant sticks and pray they don't fall down.
(They usually do.)
Now let's get a little more technical.
Origins of Three-Day Eventing
Three-Day Eventing, usually just called Eventing, is truly the ultimate test of partnership between horse and rider. Historically, the goal of the event was to test cavalry members for their fitness and suitability. Dressage was originally meant to demonstrate the horse's ability to perform and be obedient on the parade ground. Cross Country was a test of stamina, courage, and bravery over troublesome terrain. This was important for a cavalry charger on long marches. The Show Jumping phase was meant to prove that the horse was still sound and fit after the difficult cross-country day.
Three-Day Eventing Today
Today Eventing is popular international equestrian sport for so many people, from young children, to adult amateurs, to Olympic-level professionals.
Dressage
In French, dressage means “training,” and this phase begins every eventing competition. The horse and rider complete a dressage test appropriate to their level. The rider already knows the test before the competition, because it is practiced over and over again for accuracy. Precision, smoothness, and suppleness show off the horse’s obedience. Ideally, the horse appears to perform the test moments without any cues from the rider.
The test is scored on each movement, kind of like figure skating, with the overall harmony and precision of the test also considered. Dressage is essential for the event horse, because it helps develop the fundamental muscle strength and suppleness needed for the other two jumping phases. Because of the demands of the sport, the three-day event horse is extremely fit, so it takes a talented and strong rider to use and direct the energy into an elegant and impressive performance.
Show Jumping
Show Jumping is quite often the most difficult phase for the horse and rider. The goal of the show jumping round is to get through it “double clear.” This means that the pair had neither jumping faults, meaning they avoided knocking down rails on a fence, and time faults. There’s a specific amount of time allotted for a round at each level, and it is often a fast time. This means that the rider must be riding extremely accurately, as well as pushing the horse when appropriate.
Cross Country
Cross Country is by far the most exhilarating phase of the eventing competition. At the highest levels, horses tackle enormous solid jumps at high speeds, in addition to equally challenging combinations of jumps. Much like in Show Jumping, you must be within a certain time in order to avoid time penalties. However, you can get time penalties for being both under and over the recommended time.
Eventers are known as being gritty and having a “get'er done” attitude because of this phase. As long as you make it to the other side of the jump in between the white and red flags without losing forward motion, you’re in the clear.
And there you have it folks, eventing in a nutshell. And if this article ever so peaked your interest in the sport, check out the official Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event website and catch the highlights of the competition!
