Eventing is also known as Horse Trials. It is a competition which involves all round riding skills. There are three parts which make up the sport of eventing.

• Dressage
• Show Jumping
• Cross Country

Dressage

The first part is Dressage. This is where you complete a pattern of movements laid out in a dressage test. A judge marks the test and gives a score at the end. The lower the score, the better the test.

You can find out more about Dressage from our Beginners Guide to Dressage

Show Jumping

The second part is Show Jumping. This is where you jump a course of show jumps. Any knock-downs or refusals are added to your dressage score.

You can find out more about Show Jumping from our Beginners Guide to Show Jumping

Cross Country

The third part is the Cross Country. This is where you get to canter round a course of solid jumps through fields, woods and water. The aim is to complete the course without having any refusals or adding any more faults onto your dressage score.

You can find out more about Cross Country from our Beginners Guide to Cross Country

How Do I Start?

Most members get their first taste of cross country at a cross country rally. If you like it, you could have a go at a Hunter Trial, which is another name for Cross Country. Then you could try all three parts together at a Branch One Day Event.

This would be your first go at eventing!

Can I Do More?

With a lot of practice you could be chosen by your Branch to go to your Area One Day event. If you do well here, you could qualify for The Pony Club National Championships.