What Is a Long Format Three-Day Event?

The Oakhurst three-day event is being run on the traditional “long format”, over three full days of competition, with the added benefit
of interaction with high level clinicians at every stage.

The History of Eventing

First called the "Militaire," the Three Day Event has its roots as a test for horses used as cavalry mounts. The predecessor to Eventing originally began as a form of endurance riding, without jumping or galloping. Such competitions included a ride in 1892, travelling a 360 mile distance from Berlin to Vienna (the winner completed the ride in 71 hours and 26 minutes). However, these competitions did little to prepare horses and riders for actual combat, and so around the end of the 1800s, the French began raids militaires, which was the true forerunner to the three- day event.

The Olympic Eventing competition was originally open only to military officers in active duty, mounted only on military charges. In 1924, the event was open to male civilians, although non- commissioned Army officers could not participate in the Olympics until 1956. Women were first allowed to take part in 1964, and equestrian sports are the only Olympic sport in which men and women compete against one another

The Structure of a Three Day Event

Dressage

- The dressage phase is held on the first day. The dressage test is an exact sequence of movements ridden in an enclosed arena (20 x 60 meters). The test is judged by judge who is looking for balance, rhythm and suppleness and most importantly, obedience of the horse and its harmony with the rider. The challenge is to demonstrate that a supremely fit horse, capable of completing the cross country phase on time, also has the training to perform in a relaxed and precise manner. Scoring: Each movement in the test is scored on a scale from 0 to 10, with “10” being the highest possible mark. Therefore if one movement is executed badly, it is still possible for the horse/rider team to get a good score if they reorganize and do well in the following movements. To convert the dressage score to penalty points, the total of the good marks minus any errors on course are taken as a percentage of the total possible marks and the resulting number is multiplied by 1.5.

Endurance

– the second day is made up of a number of phases designed to challenge the endurance of both the horse and the rider. The traditional long format event includes phases which build up to the cross country challenge.

Phase A – Roads and Tracks 1 - is a warming-up period, usually done at a brisk trot, for the purpose of relaxing and loosening up both horse and rider. Penalties are high for missing the prescribed time – one penalty point for each second. They move directly to Phase B.

Phase B – Steeple Chase - the horse/rider team ride around a track at high speeds jumping 6 to 8 jumps before moving directly to Phase C.

Phase C – 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. Some riders also dismount and run next to their horse during this section of the test.

10 Minute Box – Here the horse has a compulsory ten-minute rest allowing a panel of judges and veterinarians to check the horse's temperature, pulse, respiration, and soundness. If, in the opinion of the panel, the horse is not fit or sound enough to continue, he must be withdrawn from the competition. At this time the horse is sponged down, the tack is adjusted and he is prepared for the next phase. Those passing the inspection go to the start box ready for the most exciting phase of the whole endurance test – cross country

Phase D - Cross Country

- Cross country jumping is designed to measure the endurance and degree of control and timing of the horse and rider. It is the most demanding of the competitions, requiring the horse to jump a series of fixed, unfamiliar obstacles. Stamina and trust between the horse and rider are critical.

This is a timed event; penalty points are issued if the team finishes too soon (1 point for every second under the 30 second optimum time window) or too late (0.4 points for every second over the optimum time). The team is eliminated if the horse fails to clear all of the jumps in the right order. Penalties are assessed for refusals, run outs or illegal circles (a circle after approaching a jump) as follows:

· First refusal, run out or illegal circle – 20 penalty points

· Second refusal, run out or illegal circle – 40 additional penalty points

· Third refusal, run out or illegal circle – elimination

· First fall of rider – elimination

· Fall of horse – mandatory retirement

Stadium Jumping

– is the third and final event, and occurs on the last day of the competition.

The purpose of this event is to prove that on the day after the endurance tests, the horse can continue in service. It is the final test of the rider’s development and training of his or her mount, and it is a test of the equine athlete’s excellence and fitness.

The jump course may appear to be simple, but its paths are irregular and winding, requiring agility, communication and trust between the rider and his/her horse.
Unlike cross-country jumps, which are solid fixtures, stadium jumps are portable, temporary fixtures which can be easily knocked down.

And the Winner Is...

– Only those competitors who have completed all of the phases of the competition are eligible for ribbons. At the end of the stadium test, each competing competitor’s scores from dressage, endurance and stadium jumping are totalled. The horse and rider team with the lowest number of penalties is declared the winner, and may receive a trophy and other awards. A victory gallop around the arena finishes the competition with pageantry.

At Oakhurst Farm’s three day event, all of the competitors are winners, for taking on the challenge of a traditional three day event, and for benefiting from the advice and input from top level clinicians and judges.