Event Horses

Eventing is an equestrian sport which comprises of three phases; dressage, cross country and show jumping.

The sport

There are generally two types of event competition the one day event (ODE) and the three day event (3DE).

When competing in the one day all three phases are completed in the same day, when competing in the three day event one phase is completed per day.

• Dressage is the first phase; the horse and rider are judged on the execution of movements and the horse’s compliance and way of going.

• Cross country is the second phase; this is a test of strength and stamina for both horse and rider, they must complete a lengthy outdoor course where there a many sturdy fences and other natural obstacles, this section is timed and penalties are awarded for disobediences and running over the time allowed to complete the course.

• Showjumping is the last phase; where the horse and rider are tested over a technical course of coloured showjumps that can be knocked down, again this must be completed within a certain time frame, again faults are given for disobediences, fences down and running over the time aloud.

The dressage scores are imperative; they place the competitors in order, faults may be accumulated in the cross country and show jumping phases, but if no faults are given it is the dressage score that decides the overall winner.

Horses and ponies used for eventing

An inexperienced event rider would need a safe and knowledgeable horse or pony to ride to improve and teach the rider and boost the riders confidence. At the lower levels of eventing any type of horse or pony can be used, as long as it is peak physical condition. The more experienced rider will need a more athletic horse as the phases become more and more demanding. 

Correct confirmation of the event horse is vital; the event horse’s body is exposed to an array of stresses and strains from the diverse rudiments of eventing. A horse with correct confirmation will be stronger and will have a better chance of staying sound.

Popular horses that are used for eventing include;

Thoroughbred horses and Thoroughbred cross breeds.

Thoroughbred horses dominate the top levels of eventing.Thoroughbred horses possess remarkable stamina, speed, strength and jumping form. A popular cross breed is the Thoroughbred cross Irish draught, the Irish sport horse.

Warmblood horses

Warmblood horses are also very popular. Trakehners are an especially sought after breed for this discipline.The Trakehner is a lighter weight warmblood horse that possess speed, stamina and jumping ability. Warmblood horses excel at dressage and showjumping. These type of Horses for Sale can be found on the Horsewizard website.

A horse that is to be used for eventing must be an extremely versatile and thoroughly trained as all three phases of eventing are challenging in different ways, the event horse must be composed and obedient in the dressage phase, courageous and show great stamina in the cross country phase, to show accuracy and respect for the jumps in the show jumping phase.

To view all Eventer horses for sale click here.