EVENTING
Eventing is an all round test of the horse and rider working in harmony through the three completely different disciplines of Dressage, Cross Country and Show Jumping.
This section will outline the different levels of competition and what you have to achieve for each, the grading and star system as well as advice on what to look for in an event horse, terminology, etiquette and training. There will also be a links section .
* * * * *
Governing Body
British Eventing is the governing body in the UK issuing all the rules and regulations by which you have to abide. Ultimate direction comes from the FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) which governs equestrianism worldwide; the BEF (British Equestrian Foundation) acts as an intermediary organisation (secretariat) for olympic disciplines and represents UK interests abroad. The FEI only recognises one governing body for each nation so the BEF is an "umbrella" representing all the individual equestrian governing bodies in Britain (BE, BD, BSJA, etc).
First Steps
Right, so you've decided eventing is the sport for you, so what to you have to do first?
1. Register yourself with British Eventing
2. Register the horse that you will be riding
3. If you are not the owner, then the owner must also be registered
4. Your horse requires a passport which details its vaccination record and markings, whorls, scars etc.
5.A further FEI passport is required for competing at international events even if held within the UK
Some Important Rules to Note
1. Your horse must be at least five years old
2. You must be careful about any medication you take - certain substances are prohibited. You could be blood-tested.
3. Equally so, you must ensure your horse has not had access to or been given a prohibited substance. blood-testing may be randomly carried out.
4. There are rules regarding appropriate saddlery - what is and is not permitted by way of bits, martingales, etc. both during competition and whilst exercising/warming up at an event. Make sure you READ THE RULE BOOK!
5. You will be issued with a medical card which you must have with you at al times and actually wear during the speed and endurance phase. This card details your medical "history" and provides important information (such as drug allergies) to on-site medics should the need arise.
The Eventing System
There are one, two day and three day events, the latter running over four days to allow the time for dressage tests.
The classes, with details of fence heights,are as follows:
Class |
Dressage Test |
XC Height |
SJ Height |
Intro |
BE 100, 101,102 (2001) |
0.90m |
0.95m |
Pre-Novice |
BE 110, 111, 112 (2001) |
1.00m |
1.05m |
Open Pre-Novice |
1.00m |
||
Novice |
1.10m |
1.15m |
|
Open Novice |
1.10m |
||
Intermediate Novice |
1.10m |
1.15m |
|
Intermediate |
1.15m |
1.20m |
|
Open Intermediate |
1.15m |
1.20m |
|
Advanced Intermediate |
1.20m |
1.25m |
|
Advanced |
1.20m |
1.25m |
For a win, a placing or just for completion at certain events, points are awarded to the horse. There are three grades, depending upon the number of points won:
Grade I |
0 - 20 points |
Novice |
Grade II |
21 - 60 points |
Intermediate |
Grade III |
61 or more points |
Advanced |
Three Day Events and International One Day Events have a star rating depending upon their difficulty:
* |
Novice |
|
** |
Intermediate |
|
*** |
Advanced |
|
**** |
Championship |
Eg: World Championships/Olympics |
WORLD RANKING
Points are awarded to riders depending upon the events in which they participate i.e. level, and their subsequent placing in such event. All riders completing a competition receive points and at the end of the season the best 6 scores of each rider are totalled to ascertain the overall Rankings.
As with show jumping the globe is divided into Zones (6) and so riders can also become a "Zone" leader which, as above, is ascertained at the end of the year.
WORLD CUP
This comprises a series of events taking place between 2 designated dates and then a Final. A rider can take part in as many events as he/she wishes and may ride severalhorses with each combination being awarded points on its own merits; only the best 3 results for each rider are then taken into account with regard to qualifying for the Final.
Points are awarded to the rider, not the horse and are thus:
1st = 100 Points
2nd = 60 Points
3rd = 40 Points
4th = 30 Points
5th = 25 Points
6th = 20 Points
7th = 18 Points
8th = 16 Points
9th = 14 Points
10th = 12 Points
11th - 20th Place = 11 to 2 Points. After 20th place all riders which complete the event are awarded 1 Point.
Countries are categorised into 5 groups with a specific number of maximum riders being allowed from each country (the actual number depending upon which Group a country is in) to ride in the Final. The rule for the Final is one rider, one horse.
LINKS
www.eventriders.com
A "must" site for all event riders, enthusiasts and supporters,
packed with news, information and advice.
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