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Three-Day Event
Following the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, the sport began to move towards a short format whereby Phase A, B and C would be eliminated, leaving the cross-country to stand alone on Day Two, speed and endurance day. While many fought this move it was to no avail and with amazing speed the full-format three-day event with steeplechase became a rare and endangered species. Internationally there are no long-format three-stars or four-stars left. The Olympic Games, the World Equestrian Games and the Continental Games (Asian, European and Pan American) all use the short format. In the U.S., where the fight to hold onto the long-format was most strongly fought, there are no long-format three-day events at the CCI2*(Intermediate), CCI3* (Advanced) and CCI4* whatsoever. A few organizers have committed to running CCI1* competitions and today there are a handful left. Internationally, no long-format CCIs exist at the three- and four-star levels.
There is no doubt that the long format produced some of the finest horsemen and women in equestrian sport and the horses competing in this format were the ultimate equine athlete. Many fear that with the demise of the long-format riders will lose the horsemanship skills that were so essential to success in the full three-day event.
Why The Change?
The demise of the long-format with steeplechase was due to a number of reasons and largely to do with costs and the availability of land and volunteers. As our wide open spaces are giving way to urban development there are fewer and fewer venues that can provide the space necessary for such a land hungry sport. The costs involved are high and organizers are hard-pressed to make the three-day event break even, let alone be profitable. The Olympic Games has to attract entries from a number of countries and the lesser-known eventing nations were finding it increasingly hard to qualify and prepare their riders as they had no long-format courses available to them. With the immense expense of traveling to the U.S., Britain and other top eventing countries to qualify and the lack of suitable competitions at home they were unable to field teams. This meant that the number of nations participating was decreasing. It was also believed that the shorter format would be friendlier to the horses who would be able to compete more often thus giving their owners more opportunities to enjoy watching them compete. In addition, many suggested that the shorter format would be more attractive to television viewers and would garner more sponsorship and advertising.
The International Olympic Committee stated that if eventing could not find a way to solve these issues then the sport may be dropped from the Olympic program. Jack le Goff, former coach and chef d'equipe to the US, was developing the FEI Eventing World Cup Competition at the time and believed that the format to be used for this competition could be adapted to meet the demands of the IOC. The World Equestrian Games in 2002 was the last international team event (CCIO) to use the long format. The Athens Olympic Games in 2004 was scheduled to be a long-format competition with steeplechase but was granted permission to use the short format. The speed with which the short format took hold amazed everyone. Four of the world's four-star competitions – Badminton, Burghley, Adelaide and Luhumuhlen all turned to the short format without steeplechase, though Janie Atkinson and Equestrian Events, Inc., battled against this trend our own Lexington, Kentucky four-star went short format in 2006.
The CCI (without steeplechase) Three-day Event or Short Format
The term Concours Complet International (CCI) is an international three-day event that is open to all nations and is set apart from the CIC (international one-day, or horse trials as they are known in the U.S.) by the number of jumping efforts and the speeds and distances. (See FEI Annex 5) At the CCI short-format events the riders must learn independently how to prepare and warm-up their horses appropriately for the cross-country jumping. In the long-format event Phases A, B and C have always been the set preparation for cross-country.
Competitors compete in the dressage on day one, cross-country on day two and show jumping on day three. Horses are inspected by the Ground Jury prior to the start of the competition and prior to the show jumping on day three. The horses are monitored throughout the competition and veterinarians closely examine the horses immediately after they have completed the cross-country course.
The CCI1* (with steeplechase)Three-day Event Explained
Day One: Dressage
The first test is called a "dressage" test. Dressage is a French word meaning training. Originally designed to show the horse's capability on the parade ground in performing various movements involved with reviewing troops, today the dressage test comprises a set series of complicated movements performed in an enclosed arena. Precision, smoothness, suppleness and complete obedience show off the horse's gymnastic development. Ideally it should look as if the horse is performing of its own accord, carrying its rider in complete harmony. The test is scored on each movement, rather like the scoring in figure skating, and the overall harmony and precision of the whole exercise are taken into consideration.
Dressage is also very important to the three-day event rider for the purpose of conditioning the horse's muscles for the endurance test. They become fit, strong, and elastic to lengthen and shorten at a gallop. The purpose of the dressage test is to demonstrate the intense training the horse and rider have achieved to perform each movement with balance, suppleness, and precision timing. The horse is extremely fit and the energy that is contained within the horse is incredible. Therefore, it is a remarkable feat in itself to control this energy and have the horse use it to his fullest advantage.
Day Two: Speed and Endurance/Cross-Country
The second discipline in the three-day event is the endurance test. The object of the endurance test is to prove the speed, endurance and jumping ability of the true cross-country horse when he is well trained and brought to the peak of condition. At the same time, it demonstrates the rider's knowledge of pace and the use of this horse across country.
The endurance test includes four phases: Phases A and C, Roads and Tracks; Phase B, the Steeplechase; and Phase D, the Cross-Country. Each phase must be completed in a set time. The speeds and distances of the various phases will be decided by the course designer and the organizer and will be published prior to the competition. Once at the competition the Ground Jury may make adjustments depending upon weather and footing and the riders may request that changes be made through a rider representative. The well-being of the horse is paramount at all times.
Phase A of the roads and tracks is a warming-up period, usually done at a brisk trot, for the purpose of relaxing and loosening up both horse and rider. Phase A (3,520-4,400 meters) is ridden at 240 meters per minute (mpm). The time range is between 16-20 minutes and the majority of the pace is at the trot with some canter sections to warm the horse up for the steeplechase. The track will lead directly to the start for Phase B, the steeplechase. This phase is between 1,920 and 2,240 meters long and is ridden at a gallop (640 meters per minute) over five to seven jumps. At the end of the steeplechase, the horse and rider go directly into Phase C, the second roads and tracks. The ranges for this phase are between 4,000-6,400 meters at 160 mpm with the time allowed ranging from 25 to 40 minutes. 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 and an occasional relaxed canter. Some riders also dismount and run beside their horse during this phase.
The end of Phase C brings the pair to the ten-minute Vet Box prior to starting out on Phase D, the cross-country. 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.
The cross-country course can range from 3,640 to 4,160 meters and will take from seven to eight minutes at a pace of 520 mpm. The maximum jumping efforts at the one-star three-day event are 30. The jumps are solid, different in style and theme and composed of varying types of materials. Riders will use different paces ranging from canter to gallop. Many of the technical combinations require accurate and steady riding and some of the larger more straight-forward single fences can be ridden at a faster speed. Riders must adjust to their horses' needs. Cross-country courses require horses and riders to be bold and smart and they also test stamina. Each combination of horse and rider must complete all four phases in order, on time and with as few penalties as possible. Phase D completes the endurance test of the three-day event.
Day Three: Show Jumping
The third and final test takes place in the jumping arena. After the demands of the speed and endurance phases, horses undergo a thorough veterinary examination for soundness before they proceed to the show jumping phase. A series of colored fences in an enclosed ring have to be negotiated before the full three days of competition are finally over. The final phase tests the stamina and recovery of the horse after the endurance phase and shows that it is fit enough to continue work.
In the words of the FEI rule book: "The test on the third day is not an ordinary show jumping competition...Its sole object is to demonstrate that, on the day after a severe test of endurance, the horses have retained the suppleness, energy and obedience necessary for them to continue in service."
The show jumping course requires very exact riding. It consists of between ten and thirteen show jumping obstacles and is ridden at a pace of 350 mpm. The time allowed is between 60 and 78 seconds depending on the length of the course.
The show jumping courses are designed to test the horse's and the rider's ability to negotiate a variety of fences of differing heights, widths, and technicality. This requires the horse to be balanced and supple for tight turns and short distances between fences. He must be able to lengthen or shorten his stride in an instant. Therefore, the rider must know exactly where he is on the approach to a fence, and have an obedient horse that will respond to his commands. For the spectator, this sport is both exciting and breathtaking to watch, as just one single rail knocked down can change the standings dramatically.
At the end of the competition, scores for all the competitors are totaled. Each test is scored individually and the penalties accrued are added together for the final results. The lowest score is the winning score. In the case of a team competition, the individual scores of each of the four team members are added together. If all four team members have completed the competition the best three scores count and the team with the lowest team total is pronounced the winner.
There is no doubt that the long format produced some of the finest horsemen and women in equestrian sport and the horses competing in this format were the ultimate equine athlete. Many fear that with the demise of the long-format riders will lose the horsemanship skills that were so essential to success in the full three-day event.
Why The Change?
The demise of the long-format with steeplechase was due to a number of reasons and largely to do with costs and the availability of land and volunteers. As our wide open spaces are giving way to urban development there are fewer and fewer venues that can provide the space necessary for such a land hungry sport. The costs involved are high and organizers are hard-pressed to make the three-day event break even, let alone be profitable. The Olympic Games has to attract entries from a number of countries and the lesser-known eventing nations were finding it increasingly hard to qualify and prepare their riders as they had no long-format courses available to them. With the immense expense of traveling to the U.S., Britain and other top eventing countries to qualify and the lack of suitable competitions at home they were unable to field teams. This meant that the number of nations participating was decreasing. It was also believed that the shorter format would be friendlier to the horses who would be able to compete more often thus giving their owners more opportunities to enjoy watching them compete. In addition, many suggested that the shorter format would be more attractive to television viewers and would garner more sponsorship and advertising.
The International Olympic Committee stated that if eventing could not find a way to solve these issues then the sport may be dropped from the Olympic program. Jack le Goff, former coach and chef d'equipe to the US, was developing the FEI Eventing World Cup Competition at the time and believed that the format to be used for this competition could be adapted to meet the demands of the IOC. The World Equestrian Games in 2002 was the last international team event (CCIO) to use the long format. The Athens Olympic Games in 2004 was scheduled to be a long-format competition with steeplechase but was granted permission to use the short format. The speed with which the short format took hold amazed everyone. Four of the world's four-star competitions – Badminton, Burghley, Adelaide and Luhumuhlen all turned to the short format without steeplechase, though Janie Atkinson and Equestrian Events, Inc., battled against this trend our own Lexington, Kentucky four-star went short format in 2006.
The CCI (without steeplechase) Three-day Event or Short Format
The term Concours Complet International (CCI) is an international three-day event that is open to all nations and is set apart from the CIC (international one-day, or horse trials as they are known in the U.S.) by the number of jumping efforts and the speeds and distances. (See FEI Annex 5) At the CCI short-format events the riders must learn independently how to prepare and warm-up their horses appropriately for the cross-country jumping. In the long-format event Phases A, B and C have always been the set preparation for cross-country.
Competitors compete in the dressage on day one, cross-country on day two and show jumping on day three. Horses are inspected by the Ground Jury prior to the start of the competition and prior to the show jumping on day three. The horses are monitored throughout the competition and veterinarians closely examine the horses immediately after they have completed the cross-country course.
The CCI1* (with steeplechase)Three-day Event Explained
Day One: Dressage
The first test is called a "dressage" test. Dressage is a French word meaning training. Originally designed to show the horse's capability on the parade ground in performing various movements involved with reviewing troops, today the dressage test comprises a set series of complicated movements performed in an enclosed arena. Precision, smoothness, suppleness and complete obedience show off the horse's gymnastic development. Ideally it should look as if the horse is performing of its own accord, carrying its rider in complete harmony. The test is scored on each movement, rather like the scoring in figure skating, and the overall harmony and precision of the whole exercise are taken into consideration.
Dressage is also very important to the three-day event rider for the purpose of conditioning the horse's muscles for the endurance test. They become fit, strong, and elastic to lengthen and shorten at a gallop. The purpose of the dressage test is to demonstrate the intense training the horse and rider have achieved to perform each movement with balance, suppleness, and precision timing. The horse is extremely fit and the energy that is contained within the horse is incredible. Therefore, it is a remarkable feat in itself to control this energy and have the horse use it to his fullest advantage.
Day Two: Speed and Endurance/Cross-Country
The second discipline in the three-day event is the endurance test. The object of the endurance test is to prove the speed, endurance and jumping ability of the true cross-country horse when he is well trained and brought to the peak of condition. At the same time, it demonstrates the rider's knowledge of pace and the use of this horse across country.
The endurance test includes four phases: Phases A and C, Roads and Tracks; Phase B, the Steeplechase; and Phase D, the Cross-Country. Each phase must be completed in a set time. The speeds and distances of the various phases will be decided by the course designer and the organizer and will be published prior to the competition. Once at the competition the Ground Jury may make adjustments depending upon weather and footing and the riders may request that changes be made through a rider representative. The well-being of the horse is paramount at all times.
Phase A of the roads and tracks is a warming-up period, usually done at a brisk trot, for the purpose of relaxing and loosening up both horse and rider. Phase A (3,520-4,400 meters) is ridden at 240 meters per minute (mpm). The time range is between 16-20 minutes and the majority of the pace is at the trot with some canter sections to warm the horse up for the steeplechase. The track will lead directly to the start for Phase B, the steeplechase. This phase is between 1,920 and 2,240 meters long and is ridden at a gallop (640 meters per minute) over five to seven jumps. At the end of the steeplechase, the horse and rider go directly into Phase C, the second roads and tracks. The ranges for this phase are between 4,000-6,400 meters at 160 mpm with the time allowed ranging from 25 to 40 minutes. 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 and an occasional relaxed canter. Some riders also dismount and run beside their horse during this phase.
The end of Phase C brings the pair to the ten-minute Vet Box prior to starting out on Phase D, the cross-country. 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.
The cross-country course can range from 3,640 to 4,160 meters and will take from seven to eight minutes at a pace of 520 mpm. The maximum jumping efforts at the one-star three-day event are 30. The jumps are solid, different in style and theme and composed of varying types of materials. Riders will use different paces ranging from canter to gallop. Many of the technical combinations require accurate and steady riding and some of the larger more straight-forward single fences can be ridden at a faster speed. Riders must adjust to their horses' needs. Cross-country courses require horses and riders to be bold and smart and they also test stamina. Each combination of horse and rider must complete all four phases in order, on time and with as few penalties as possible. Phase D completes the endurance test of the three-day event.
Day Three: Show Jumping
The third and final test takes place in the jumping arena. After the demands of the speed and endurance phases, horses undergo a thorough veterinary examination for soundness before they proceed to the show jumping phase. A series of colored fences in an enclosed ring have to be negotiated before the full three days of competition are finally over. The final phase tests the stamina and recovery of the horse after the endurance phase and shows that it is fit enough to continue work.
In the words of the FEI rule book: "The test on the third day is not an ordinary show jumping competition...Its sole object is to demonstrate that, on the day after a severe test of endurance, the horses have retained the suppleness, energy and obedience necessary for them to continue in service."
The show jumping course requires very exact riding. It consists of between ten and thirteen show jumping obstacles and is ridden at a pace of 350 mpm. The time allowed is between 60 and 78 seconds depending on the length of the course.
The show jumping courses are designed to test the horse's and the rider's ability to negotiate a variety of fences of differing heights, widths, and technicality. This requires the horse to be balanced and supple for tight turns and short distances between fences. He must be able to lengthen or shorten his stride in an instant. Therefore, the rider must know exactly where he is on the approach to a fence, and have an obedient horse that will respond to his commands. For the spectator, this sport is both exciting and breathtaking to watch, as just one single rail knocked down can change the standings dramatically.
At the end of the competition, scores for all the competitors are totaled. Each test is scored individually and the penalties accrued are added together for the final results. The lowest score is the winning score. In the case of a team competition, the individual scores of each of the four team members are added together. If all four team members have completed the competition the best three scores count and the team with the lowest team total is pronounced the winner.