Dressage
The first day is the dressage test, a series of movements designed to test the harmony, balance, and accuracy of the horse and rider. These tests are approximately six minutes long and must be memorized and performed in a rectangular arena with letters around the perimeter and on the center line indicating where movements should be executed. Judges at three letters score each movement from a zero to a rare perfect ten. The scores are averaged and combined. Like in golf, the lowest collective score wins.
Cross Country
Day two is cross country day, a grueling endurance test over a 4 mile course of jumps at high speeds. Obstacles include water, ditches, logs, and hedges. The fences are solid, which adds a definite element of danger. The slightest miscalculation could result in a crash. Both rider and horse wear heavy-duty protective gear to protect against such a catastrophe. Penalties accrue and are added to the dressage score if the horse refuses to jump, if the rider falls, or if the time limit is exceeded.
Show Jumping
The third and final day is show jumping, a fast-paced agility test over about twelve fragile jumps built out of brightly colored poles resting on open metal cups. Even slight taps send poles tumbling down without warning, resulting in still more penalties. Jumps are set up on turns, angles and in combinations sure to cause collective gasping in the stands. Though only about two minutes long, the show jumping phase is a true test of grit and heart for the fatigued pairs. The pair in first place after dressage could be on bottom when the dust settles in the show jumping arena. This just adds to the excitement that attracts so many, and hopefully many more, to Eventing.
Eventing for the Olympics
Due to the extreme difficulty of filming such a high-speed, long-distance affair for television and the land required, this sport has undergone huge changes since 2000. Cross Country has changed the most. The main jumping course used to be one of four phases on this exciting day, but the other three have been dropped specifically to cater to the Olympics. In all three phases, commentary has been added so that spectators can easily follow along and each has been modified to facilitate filming. The Federation Equestre Internationale, based in Switzerland, is the international governing body for Eventing and works with the Olympic Committee and with the various national organizations, such as the United States Eventing Association, to make sure the sport stays safe and gains support.
