Three Day Eventing-The Equestrian Triathlon

Day #1-Horses and riders complete a dressage test demonstrating Obedience, Discipline, Accuracy and Elegance. T

Day #2-Horses and Riders need to be fit and athletic to complete a 4 mile cross country ride jumping several solid man-made and natural obstacles within a set time.

Day #3-Finally they must complete a course of show-jumps designed to test their agility and accuracy at speed.

Before commencing the competition each horse is “trotted up” before an inspection panel of a vet and the Ground Jury to ensure the horse is sound and fit enough to compete (The First Inspection). A further inspection takes place the morning after the cross-country phase prior to the Jumping test. This ensures horses are still sound and fit enough to complete the competition (The Final Inspection). 

Cross Country Day

The CROSS-COUNTRY test on the second day proves the speed, stamina, courage, boldness and jumping ability of the horse and the rider's knowledge of pace and use of the horse across country. Cross-Country is straightforward - the horse and rider either clear the obstacle or they don't. Horses galloping at speed over massive solid obstacles, virtually flying over ditches, leaping up and down banks, and dropping into water prove examples of athletic prowess, and trust between man and animal, that can be seen in no other sporting event. While the rider walks the course beforehand, the horse doesn't see any of the course until it leaves the starting box.

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Stadium Jumping Day

JUMPING in an arena on the third day of competition provides the final test of the horse's athletic ability, conditioning and training. The Jumping Test in a stadium arena on the third day is again simply a matter of jumping the obstacles cleanly. Its significance is that it comes the day following the test of cross-country jumping at speed and clearly illustrates the horse's willingness to listen to its rider. It must now move at a more sedate pace and not touch the obstacles, which are not solid and will fall down. A single rail knocked down can make the difference between winning and finishing far down in the placings.

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