A Horse Trial or Event is like a triathalon for a horse and rider team. It consists of a dressage test, a jumping test with fences that will fall down if hit (Stadium or Show-Jumping), and a cross-country test where the obstacles don’t fall down. The actual dressage test pattern, number and height of stadium fences, and number, height and length of the cross-country course is determined by the level of competition entered. (see the General Rules page for a complete description of the different levels and links to various dressage tests) The national governing organization for Eventing is the USEA (US Eventing Association) www.useventing.com
Another Eventing competition is called a 2-Phase event, consisting of any two tests, usually dressage and stadium jumping. This is a great way to get you and your horse introduced to the fun of Eventing!
A few things that distinguish Eventing from other equestrian sports:
- 1) No one but the competing rider may ride the horse at an event. (there are a few exceptions, but none of them involve any sort of training or schooling). The same horse and rider must compete in all phases of the event.
- 2) You must always wait for the judge’s signal before beginning a dressage test or a show-jumping test. The signal tells you that the judge is ready to watch your ride. You must wait for the starter’s signal before beginning the cross-country test.
- 3) You must wear a hard hat at all times when you are on a horse at an event. When jumping, in warm-up and on-course, you must wear a fastened, ASTM/SEI certified helmet. At all USEA events, you must wear a medical information card on your arm while jumping (strongly recommended at MeCTA events). The same holds true for safety vests: required for cross-country at USEA events, recommended at MeCTA events. Never forget that cross-country obstacles don’t fall down if you or your horse hits them!
- 4) Scoring for Events is done on a Penalty Point basis. The dressage score is converted from a positive percentage to penalty points (this may take some getting used to if you’re accustomed to regular dressage scores). Cross-country gathers penalty points for refusals and falls at obstacles on course and for time faults (going too fast or too slow). Stadium jumping also collects penalties for refusals, rails downs, and falls, as well as for time faults (going too slowly). The net result: the horse and rider team with the lowest number of points wins!
You can be eliminated for skipping an obstacle or going off-course in either cross-country or stadium tests. You ARE allowed (and encouraged) to walk both the cross-country and stadium courses before riding them, but you may not show the course (or any of the obstacles) to your horse. The jumps are always numbered to help you find your way. Remember to keep the red flags on your right, and you’ll be sure to jump the obstacles in the correct direction. You can be eliminated for going the wrong way. There are start and finish flags that must be passed through, too. Be sure you know where they are!
“Unauthorized Assistance” is not allowed in Eventing. No one may tell you if you’ve skipped a fence, or where to go next if you get lost, nor may they shout instructions to you as you canter past. (Cheering is OK) Such assistance can get you eliminated. There are exceptions to that rule: in the case of a fall of rider, anyone may help to catch the horse, get the rider re-mounted, hand them glasses, helmet, whip. Once they’re on their way again, though, they must manage on their own.
What to wear
For the Dressage test, you are expected to wear neat and plain riding clothes: a dark colored jacket, light colored breeches, boots, and a black or dark blue helmet. You may carry a dressage whip (except at championship competitions). Your horse should be clean and tidy, with no leg wraps or boots allowed. Only snaffle bits (of various configurations) are allowed for dressage. Be sure yours is acceptable by checking the USEA rules. No martingales, side reins or “gadgets” are allowed; breastplates may be used.
For Stadium, you may wear the same classic attire, but your horse may now wear protective boots or wraps, and you may carry a crop or jumping bat. Only running or Irish martingales (with or without breastplates) are allowed.
For Cross-County, you may wear colors! Bright, color-coordinated outfits are the norm in the eventing world. Just be sure your helmet is fastened and that your horse’s protective boots are secure. Crops or jumping bats are allowed, and only running or Irish martingales may be used.
Please note that at USEA events, chaps, half-chaps or leggings are not allowed. Tall boots, field boots, jodhpur boots, or 2-piece boots of matching smooth leather may be worn. At MeCTA events, half-chaps are acceptable (but please make sure they are either black or brown and tidy in appearance).
Those are the basics. Want to know more? Have specific questions?
Please contact us (MeCTA) and/or check out the USEA website and rules.
Most of all, HAVE FUN!
