EVENTING
Peter Gray’s credentials in Eventing are numerous.
He is an Olympian (1980, 1984, 1988), past member of
the FEI Eventing Committee, past National Coach in
Canada (including 1996 and 2000 Olympics), member of
the High Performance Committee of Eventing Canada,
rider, coach and clinician.
“This will be the first World Equestrian Games with
the (relatively new) Modified Format – no Roads and
Tracks or Steeplechase. What that means is that a
lot of the endurance factor has been removed,” Peter
said. “The opportunity to move up (in the standings)
after dressage is almost gone. Dressage and Stadium
Jumping are more influential than they used to be.
The emphasis is on Day 1 (Dressage) and Day 3
(Stadium Jumping) and not Day 2 (Cross Country).”
He continued, saying, “Cross Country courses have
become more technical and more of a scope test. That
requires a horse that is cautious, clever, athletic
and more ‘scopey’.”
WHAT'S THE PLAN?
Peter said “The mental state of riders is
important – you have to be mentally prepared and
have a high level of concentration. You have to be
mentally clear and calm because your nervous energy
transmits to the horse.”
Canada is not fielding a full Team (minimum of three
competitors / horses) at these World Equestrian
Games. We have two representatives competing as
Individuals (the maximum allowed as individuals
representing a country), adding to the pressure of
the competition.
Event riders and horses have to be versatile. “They
need precision for Dressage, harmony in Cross
Country and precision for Stadium Jumping. The
precision is a test of your training,” said Peter.
They need to be able to contain the energy of
extremely fit horses for dressage, let them run and
jump with speed and accuracy in cross country and
then encourage the remaining vigour and willingness
to negotiate the jumping course.
“For Cross Country you have to have a plan on how to
ride the course, how you’re going to negotiate the
technically demanding jumps, the changes in pace and
overall speed. On Cross Country day the weather
conditions can change affecting your strategy. Also,
whether you go at the beginning or end of the day
means that the condition of the footing is a factor.
You may have to take a different approach to some
fences (than originally planned) so you have to be
mentally prepared to make the adjustments.”
Lesley Grant, an Eventing rider and member of the
High Performance Committee – Eventing, said “The
fitness program and adapting it to each horse can
make or break you.”
Regarding the judging for the dressage portion she
said, “They are looking for the same (criteria) as
for regular dressage. Eventing dressage judges know
what the event horse is and what it is capable of.
Comparing a Grand Prix dressage horse to an Eventing
horse in dressage is like comparing apples and
oranges. They have different muscling. Dressage
horses are round and like weight lifters. Eventers
are long and lean like swimmers.”
HOW IT'S SCORED
“You’re marked down (given penalty points) for
errors or disobediences in Dressage, being over the
time allowed or having refusals on the Cross Country
course or knocking rails down, being over the time
allowed or having refusals during the Stadium
Jumping portion,” Leslie said.
Horse and rider may be eliminated after a third
refusal at the same obstacle, the fourth refusal
overall, the second fall of the rider or the fall of
the horse at any obstacle, on the Cross Country
course. Competitors may also be eliminated if given
any outside assistance (e.g. spectators shouting
directions) during the course.
In the Jumping portion of the test, elimination may
occur after a second refusal, the second fall of the
rider, or the first fall of the horse, on course.
Eventing at this level is a three-day test. On Day 1
all competitors perform the prescribed Dressage test
(pattern) in a 20m x 60m (66’ x 197’) ring on grass
footing. Choice of saddle, bridle and other
equipment for the horse and dress code for the rider
are also prescribed in the rules. For judging
criteria, see “Dressage”. Dressage is included in
Eventing to demonstrate that the proper foundation
(training) has been laid and that the horse is
obedient, cooperative and supple – qualities needed
for success in the other two phases.
Day 2 is the Cross Country Test. Riders will cover a
6,500 metre (4-mile) long course on grass footing at
a speed of 570 meters per minute (21 miles per hour)
with up to 45 strenuous jumping efforts required.
Penalties may be accumulated for refusals in front
of any jump, being over the maximum time allowed to
complete the course, or failing to jump the
obstacles in the correct order, among other things.
Cross Country demonstrates the speed and jumping
ability of the horse and the rider’s ability to
regulate the pace of the horse in order to meet each
obstacle in the best possible way. This portion is a
true test of the trust and confidence that both
horse and rider have in each other.
Day 3 is the Stadium Jumping Test. This will take
place over a 500 to 600 meter long course (1,640 to
1,969 feet), in a 70m wide x 120m long (230’ x 394’)
ring on grass footing, with between 11 and 13
obstacles at 1.25 meters (4’1”) in height requiring
16 jumping efforts. For judging criteria, see
“Jumping”. This portion of the Event is not a test
of style over the jumps, but rather to prove that,
after a day of galloping fast and jumping solid
obstacles outside the show ring, the horse is
obedient and willing to jump obstacles that will
fall down if bumped at a controlled pace in a
limited environment.
DETERMINING THE FEI WORLD TEAM EVENTING CHAMPIONSHIP
In each phase, errors result in accumulated penalty
points. The person with the fewest penalty points
after completing all three phases will be declared
the winner. FEI Medals will be awarded for 1st
to 3rd place and
€
75,000 in prize money will be distributed.
DETERMINING THE FEI WORLD INDIVIDUAL EVENTING
CHAMPIONSHIP
The winning team is that with the lowest combined
penalty points including the final scores of the
three highest placed competitors on the team. FEI
Medals will be awarded for 1st to 3rd
place and
€
50,000 in prize money will be distributed.
SPECIAL AWARD
The competitor with the best overall cross-country
test score, including any faults at obstacles and
any time penalties, will win the Cross-Country
award.
For more information please see
www.canadianeventing.com and
www.canadianeventingteam.com
For details on the official rules governing this
competition, please see
www.horsesport.org/ “Rules & Regulations”.
