CCI 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 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 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 rider have performed. Experienced riders 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 test.

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

The Cross Country courses at Tattersalls consist of up to 25 fences [some of which are combinations], which test the competitor's courage, skill and judgement in many different ways. Competitors are scored over each fence, accumulating penalty points for each error, as well as penalties for exceeding the time limit. Each horse and rider is only allowed to stop twice at a fence and is eliminated from competition for the third refusal at that fence, as well as for a total of 4 refusals over the course. A rider will be eliminated on the 2nd rider fall, and a horse fall also means elimination!

Cross Country Penalties:
Faults are only penalised if they occur while a horse is jumping, or attempting to jump, a numbered obstacle

Dangerous riding
The Ground Jury, in accordance with FEI General Regulations, may penalise the competitor with 25 penalties.

Assistance: In principle, the rider must complete the competition without any help from a third party. However, if he has a fall or dismounts, it is permissible to catch his horse, adjust his saddlery, help him remount or hand him any of his equipment. His whip, headgear or spectacles may be handed to him, even if he does not dismount.

Show Jumping is the last phase of 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:

These penalties are cumulative - the lowest score is the winner!