Levels of Eventing
- The levels of competition in eventing are Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, Preliminary, Intermediate and Advanced. The Beginner Novice through Training levels are designed to introduce the sport to first-time eventing competitors and include training-level dressage tests and moderate jumps. The Preliminary level is composed of more complex dressage movements and technical field maneuvers. The Intermediate and Advanced levels are increasingly more difficult, with complicated dressage tests focused upon the strength and suppleness of horse and rider, and cross country courses which include expert-level obstacles at greater speeds and higher show jumping fences assembled in substantially more challenging sequences.
- The combination of the dressage, cross country and show jumping tests represent the horse trials. The tests are designed to reveal the horse and rider's abilities related to preparedness, versatility, stamina, fitness, precision and obedience. Penalty points are accumulated for all three tests and a combined score is given at the end of the competition, with the lowest score becoming the winner.
- Dressage is the first test in the horse trials, and is composed of classical movements such as the walk, trot, canter, change of rein, shoulder in, half pass, flying changes, counter canter, working trot and extended trot. Test requirements are determined by eventing level. Judges score horse and rider on a variety of factors, including balance, suppleness, fluidity of transitions, the precision of individual movements, and overall execution and elegance. A higher degree of accuracy within each movement results in a better score.
- The cross country test is perhaps the most celebrated portion of the eventing competition. It is a two- to four-mile outdoor obstacle course created to emulate natural terrain, including fixed, drop, coffin and corner fences; walls, palisades, banks, streams, ponds, tree logs, hay carts and vehicles. Horse and rider must effectively negotiate each obstacle at a gallop. The cross country test demands complete trust between horse and rider and requires a great deal of agility, accuracy and precision.
- The show jumping portion of the competition is composed of a series of eight to 12 jumps in an enclosed arena. The goal is to negotiate the sequence without knocking over rails, a refusal from the horse or exceeding the time limit. Because the show jumping test follows the vigorous demands of the cross country test, it demonstrates the stamina and fitness level of the rider, as well as the horse's agility and obedience.
