What is Eventing and what tack do you need?

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The equestrian sport of Eventing has certainly seen a number of changes through the years, especially an ever increasing array of horse tack and saddle manufacturers that have come available.

Despite its ever increasing popularity, Eventing is in fact quite a foreign sport to a lot of the population, in particular those who have not been introduced to the delights of the horse world and the diverse array of activities that one can participate in. This articles aim is to look into the sport of Eventing, what is involved, and what saddlery and horse tack is needed to compete.

Eventing has military origins, where it was used as a form of training for cavalry horses. Since its military roots it has now grown into one of the most popular equestrian activities and is unanimously seen as the ultimate test of horsemanship.

The qualities that sets Eventing apart from nearly every other sport is the unique way that men and women, amateur and professional, royalty and Joe public can all compete against each other on a level playing field. It is also a sport which Britain is extremely proficient and prolific at; in fact, in over 88 years of competition Britain has amassed over 200 championship medals.

The most common form of Event is the One Day Event. This is a type of horse show that lasts for one day and involves competing in 3 separate phases; each requiring specific skills and with cumulative points awarded amounting to a final overall score. The first phase is Dressage.

Dressage

Dressage is a test of training, balance, suppleness, obedience and harmony with the rider. It is usually carried out in a 20 x 40 metre arena although in more advanced tests the arena length is increased to 60 metres.

The rider has to learn a �Dressage Test which is a sequence of compulsory movements that is then judged on the aforementioned criteria above by one or more judges. Each movement is scored out of a maximum of ten, and subsequently totalled and converted into a penalty score and percentage.

The type of horse tack you need for Dressage differs from the two jumping phases of Eventing. The saddle for example, is much straighter cut than a jumping saddle allowing the rider to maintain a more classic upright posture and to be more effective with their leg aids. The bridle on the other hand, is the same for all phases but the types of bitting varies. The only types of bit allowed for Dressage are snaffle bits.

Show-Jumping

The show-jumping phase of Eventing is designed to test and show athleticism, control and accuracy. It consists of one round of jumping that has to be completed inside an optimum time. Penalties are awarded for any jumps knocked down, any run outs, falls or stops; penalty points are also awarded if you get round over the optimum time.

The specific type of horse tack needed for show-jumping is a jumping saddle. With a jumping saddle you get a much more forward cut saddle flap and often knee and thigh blocks which are crafted in such a way that they secure the riders legs and keep them in a safe and effective jumping position. A classic example of a jumping saddle is the Stubben Genesis and the Stubben Edelweiss NT de Luxe.

Although there are guidelines and restrictions, as a general rule the bitting and boot choices for riders are left to their own discretion.

Cross Country

The last phase of Eventing is the cross-country. Designed specifically to test the stamina, speed, jumping and bravery of the horse, this is a true testament to the trust and partnership a horse and rider need to have developed.

A course is set out over a series of obstacles, usually including water, drop fences, ditches, logs and combination fences which you have to complete under a set �optimum time. Like the show-jumping phase, you get penalty points for completing over the time as well as having points incurred if you make an error of course, fall, stop, run out, cross your tracks or finish significantly under the time.

The horse tack you need for cross country is usually similar to that of the show-jumping phase, however, it usually requires different sets of boots and the bit is often changed in order to offer more control to the rider when galloping across country.

Once all 3 phases have been completed the points are tallied up and the horse and rider combination with the lowest score are the victor.

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