Eventing - Explained

Eventing is generally regarded as being the most demanding of all equestrian sports. The competition was originally designed to test the obedience, stamina, courage and fitness of cavalry horses, and became an Olympic sport in 1896.

CCI [FEI International Events] consist of 3 phases, which are usually run over 4 days of competition - with the Dressage spread over days one and two, the third day being devoted to the Cross Country, followed by Show Jumping on the final day.

Dressage

Dressage is the first phase, and the skills needed for dressage form part of the basic training of any horse. These skills are just as important in the jumping arena and on the cross-country course. For this reason, dressage is a vital part of Eventing.

Each horse and "athlete" [rider] perform a series of set movements in front of judges [The Ground Jury] who mark the test in good points, which are then converted to penalty points. This means that the lower the score, the better the horse and athlete have performed. Experienced athletes will maximise the horse's strong paces, and ride every movement with total accuracy, to gain as many marks as possible, to give them a good start to the overall competition.

The good marks - from 10 to 0 - are awarded by each judge to a competitor for each numbered movement of the Dressage Test, and together with the collective marks, are added together, deducting any penalties for errors of course, or test.
For each judge the percentage of maximum possible good marks obtainable is then calculated. The percentage is obtained by dividing the total good marks of the judge (minus errors of test and / or course) by the maximum good marks obtainable, and then multiplying by 100.
The score is then rounded off, to two decimal places. This value is shown as the individual mark for that judge. Adding together the % for each judge, and dividing by the number of judges, always rounding the result to two decimal points, obtains an average percentage for the competitor.
In order to convert this average percentage into penalty points, this figure is subtracted from 100 and multiplied by 1.5.
This result is the score - in penalty points - for the dressage test.

Cross Country

The Cross Country is the second phase, and tests the speed, fitness, training and courage, of both horse and athlete.

The Cross Country Test constitutes the most exciting and challenging all-round test of riding ability and horsemanship, where correct principles of training and riding are rewarded. This test focuses on the ability of athletes and horses to adapt to the different and variable conditions of the competition (weather, terrain, obstacles, footing, etc.) showing jumping skills, harmony, mutual confidence, and in general "good pictures".

The Cross Country courses at Tattersalls consist of up to 25 fences [some of which are combinations, and may include 'black flagged' alternatives] and are set at the different star levels to test the competitor's courage, skill and judgement in many different ways. Competitors are scored over each fence, accumulating penalty points for any error incurred, as well as penalties for exceeding the time limit.
Each horse and rider is only allowed to stop twice, and is eliminated from the competition at the third refusal on the course.

Elimination will also occur for a fall of the horse or the athlete, anywhere on the course.

Cross Country Penalties:

SCORING Faults at Obstacles

First refusal, run-out or circle	20 penalties
Second refusal, run-out or circle at the same obstacle	40 penalties
Third refusal, run-out or circle on XC Course	Elimination
Breaking a frangible obstacle/device	25 penalties*
*Ground Juries have the discretion to decide if the 25 penalties* apply, when such a device, deformable structure or any obstacle breaks (without a fall of horse & rider).

Dangerous riding
Penalties will be determined by the Ground Jury in accordance with the General Regulations; in addition to, or instead of, the penalties prescribed by the General Regulations (Yellow Warning card, Fine, Disqualification, etc) the Ground Jury may penalise the athlete with 25 penalties. 25 penalties awarded for dangerous riding will count as an 'obstacle penalty' on the results. Appeals are not admissible against decisions by the Ground Jury in relation to dangerous riding.

Assistance: In principle, the athlete must complete the competition without any help from a third party.
However, a whip, headgear or spectacles may be handed to an athlete without dismounting. An athlete may receive clarification of jumping penalties from the Fence Judge, e.g. after having knocked a flag at the corner of obstacle.

Show Jumping

Show Jumping is the last phase of both the CIC*** World Cup and the CCI competitions at Tattersalls.

Penalties are incurred each time a fence is knocked down, there is a refusal or for exceeding the time allowed to complete the course.

The technical difficulty of the show jumping has recently increased, since the dressage and cross-country phases are now technically more demanding than in the past!

Show Jumping Penalties:

Knocking down an obstacle	4 penalties
First refusal	4 penalties
Second refusal in the test	Elimination
Fall of athlete and / or horse	Elimination
Jumping an obstacle in the wrong order	Elimination
Exceeding the time allowed	1 penalty per second
Exceeding the time limit [twice the time allowed]	Elimination

Final Classification

The winner is the athlete with the lowest total of penalty points, after adding together the penalty points incurred in all three phases.
In any International Event, in the event of EQUALITY BETWEEN TWO OR MORE ATHLETES, the classification is decided by:

1. The best cross-country obstacle score, including faults at obstacles and time penalties.
2. If there is still equality, the classification is decided in favour of the athlete whose cross-country time was closest to the optimum time.
3. If there is still equality, the athlete with the best Jumping score (time & obstacles).
4. If there is still equality, the athlete with the best time (fastest) in the Jumping Test.
5. If there is still equality, the classification will be decided in favour of the athlete with the best percentage score in the Dressage Test.
6. If there is still equality the tie will remain in the Final Classification.