Eventing

EventingEdit Entry

We award penalties in accordance with USEF guidelines for Eventing and Jumping, but have added a couple.  In Amoeba, Tadpole, and their corresponding Jumper classes, there is no elimination for going off course; instead, 20 penalties are assessed. In Starter, Green Jumpers, and above, the penalty is elimination.  We have also added a 40 penalty warning system for riding deemed dangerous by the judge (for Starter and below). This is in place primarily for the Jump-Offs to encourage more enthusiastic and less-knowledgeable riders to go for more than just speed in their jump off rounds. Riding deemed dangerous to the horse and rider in divisions higher than Starter will result in elimination.

Amoeba

Amoeba is an introductory level for both green horses and riders. The jump course is comprised mainly of cross rails, with no more than two verticals, over a track that sets up the pair for success.

  • Height not to exceed 18″
  • The class will be mostly cross rails with one to two verticals, no oxers will be on this course
  • Expect to see brightly colored poles, small flower boxes, and panels between the poles of the cross rails
  • There will be no combinations on course
Dressage Test

Tadpole

Tadpole is an introductory level for both green horses and riders. The jump course is mainly verticals, with just a couple of oxers, over a track that sets the pair up for success.

  • Height not to exceed 2′
  • The class will be verticals with one to two oxers, the max width will be 18″ at the base
  • Expect to see flower boxes, panels, and gates
  • There will be no combinations on course
Dressage Test

Starter

Starter is also an introductory class for green horses and riders, however it is also geared towards helping prepare the pairs for either the next level up or their first recognized competition.

  • Height not to exceed 2’3″
  • Maximum spread (from the base) will be 2′
  • Expect to see flower boxes, panels, gates, and brush boxes
  • There will be no more than one combination on course, with two or more strides between obstacles
Dressage Test

Beginner Novice

The Beginner Novice level is designed to introduce green horses and riders to combined tests. It is designed for competitors and horses that have already had experience schooling competitions in both disciplines. The entire experience should be safe, inviting and educational to build confidence and a desire to progress. Competitors should be prepared to do a walk, trot and canter dressage test with 20-meter figures and a halt. The jumping course should be inviting and straightforward and may include one double of two strides. Jumps can reach the height of 2’7”.

  • Height not to exceed 2’7″
  • Maximum spread (from the base) will be 3′
  • Expect to see barrels, flower boxes, panels, gates and brush boxes
  • There will be no more than one combination on course, with 2 or more strides between obstacles and consisting of no more than two obstacles
Dressage Tests

The entry form will specify the Dressage test ridden

Novice

The Novice Level is a continuing introduction to combined tests. It is designed for competitors and horses with some experience at lower levels or for experienced riders and horses new to the sport. The dressage will not differ greatly from Beginner Novice. The jumping course shall include a double and a variety of straight and spread fences, which may include a triple bar. Jumps can be up to the height of 2’11”.

  • Height not to exceed 2’11”
  • Maximum base spread will be 3’6″
  • There may be up to two combinations on course, with 2 or more strides between obstacles and consisting of no more than two obstacles each
Dressage Tests

The entry form will specify the Dressage test ridden

Training

The Training Level is an elementary examination of competitors and horses with some experience and training. The dressage test may ask for further development of the basic gaits, including lengthening at the trot and canter, as well as 10-meter trot and 15-meter canter figures. The jumping course shall include two doubles or a triple, a variety of turns, and sequences of various types of obstacles. Jumps up to the height of 3’3”.

  • Height not to exceed 3’3″
  • Maximum base spread will be 3’10
  • There may be up to two combinations on course, one of which may consist of three obstacles, only two of which may be less than two strides apart
Dressage Tests

The entry form will specify the Dressage test ridden

Preliminary

The Preliminary Level is a moderate examination of competitors and horses in a regular training program preparing for Horse Trials. The dressage test may include medium paces at the trot and canter, as well as the introduction of leg yielding, shoulder in, rein back, and changes of lead through the trot. The jumping course shall include two doubles, or a double and a triple, and may incorporate alternative obstacles. It will emphasize quickness of recovery, and may require lengthening or shortening stride. Jumps can reach the height of 3’7”.

  • Height not to exceed 3’7″
  • Maximum base spread will be 4’6″
  • There will be There may be up to two combinations on course, one of which may consist of three obstacles
Dressage Tests

The entry form will specify the Dressage test ridden

Intermediate

The Intermediate Level is an examination of increasing technical difficulty preparing competitors and horses for Two Star Events. The dressage test may include canter to halt and walk to canter transitions, as well as turns on the haunches, simple changes, and counter canter. The cross-country should now combine in more elaborate settings the tests introduced at the Preliminary Level, such as combinations with more than one question to be solved. Obstacles to be expected include banks, ditches, or water with narrow elements, a bouncecombined with other elements, or corners in a combination. The jumping course will include more related distances, and emphasis will be placed on lines of obstacles with jumps up to 3’11”.

Unfortunately the TVDCTA cannot accommodate combined tests at the intermediate level at this time

Dressage Tests

Advanced

The Advanced Level is the highest national level of Horse Trials. It offers tests of significant difficulty designed to prepare competitors and horses for either Three or Four Star Events. The dressage test may include extensions in all three paces, half pass at the trot and canter, and single flying changes. The cross-countryshould be clearly a test of boldness and scope as it now combines size (3’11) with technical difficulty. Combinations with multiple questions are to be expected, such as bounces into water, coffins with short distances or significant slopes, and bending lines or related distances between narrow questions. The jumping course will similarly relate virtually all obstacles, distances and turns with jumps up to 4’11”.

Unfortunately the TVDCTA cannot accommodate combined tests at the intermediate level at this time

Dressage Tests

FEI Tests

DEFINITIONS

United States Eventing Association: The United States Eventing Association is the national organization dedicated to the education and development of horses and riders in the sport of eventing. The USEA recognizes 260 competitions nationwide. The organization is a non-profit 501 C (3) corporation and is run by approximately 20 Board of Governors.

United States Equestrian Federation: The United States Equestrian Federation is National Governing Body for Equestrian Sports in the US. It was formerly the American Horse Show Association. The USEF trains, selects, and funds the United States Equestrian Team which consistently wins medals at the highest level of international competition, including the Olympic Games. The USEF also licenses equestrian competitions of all levels across the United States each year. The USEF serves as the National Federation (NF) to the FEIand is a member of the US Olympic Committee.

FEI: The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) is the sole authority for all international events in Dressage, Para-Equestrian Dressage, Jumping, Eventing, Driving, Para-Equestrian Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining. It is an umbrella organization that works in conjunction with the National Federations of each member country to regulate and govern the equestrian disciplines named above. Membership in the FEI is open to the one national governing body from any country which is effectively in control of or is in a position to effectively control at least the Olympic Equestrian Disciplines, and preferably recognized by its National Olympic Committee.

CCI: Concours Complet International(CCI) is an international three-day event that is governed by the FEI. CCI Competitions are held under FEI rules for Three Day Events, including the General Rules and Veterinary Regulations. They are international three-day events, as opposed to a national competition or a one- or two-day horse trial.

CIC: Concours International Combiné(CIC) is a FEI horse trials. The CIC may be held over one day, and is thus considered an international one-day event. However, it must follow FEI rules. The CIC is held only at the one to three-star levels.

Classic Format: The traditional long-format of eventing which includes roads and tracks (Phases A and C) and steeplechase (Phase B) on endurance day. The Classic Format is currently being held at the Training and Preliminary levels.

Combined Test: A combined test is a competition which encompasses dressage and show jumping, but leaves out the cross country phase.

Roads and Tracks: Phases A and C on endurance day in a long format event. Phase A of the roads and tracks is a warming-up period, usually done at a brisk trot, for the purpose of relaxing and loosening up both horse and rider. In a Preliminary Three-Day Phase A (3,520-4,400 meters) is ridden at 220 meters per minute (mpm). The time range is between 16-20 minutes and the majority of the pace is at the trot with some canter sections to warm the horse up for the steeplechase. The track will lead directly to the start for Phase B, the steeplechase. At the end of the steeplechase, the horse and rider go directly into Phase C, the second roads and tracks. The ranges for this phase are between 4,400-6,600 meters at 220 mpm with the time allowed ranging from 20 to 30 minutes. This phase is very important for allowing the horse to relax and recover and to get his wind back to normal. The pace is usually a quiet trot, interspersed with periods of walking and an occasional relaxed canter. Some riders also dismount and run beside their horse during this phase. The end of Phase C brings the pair to the ten-minute Vet Box prior to starting out on Phase D, the cross-country.

Steeplechase: Phase B on Endurance day in a long format event . In a Preliminary Three-Daythe steeplechase phase is between 1,710 and 2,240 meters long and is ridden at a gallop (570-640 meters per minute) over five to seven brush jumps. At the end of the steeplechase, the horse and rider go directly into Phase C, the second roads and tracks.

Three-day Event: An equestrian event incorporating the three equestrian disciplines of dressage, cross-country and jumping in one series of tests for horse and rider. Each phase is held on a distinct day with the entire event lasting three or four days.