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Spectator's Guide to Horse Trials (2 of 3)

Dressage

Dressage, often described as ballet with horses, can be a mystery to people who spectate at Horse Trials. Perhaps the sport that compares closest is Ice -Skating's Compulsory Figures. It is always the first phase in a Horse Trial and its purpose is to judge a horse's ability to perform a number of set movements(a test}within a marked out arena. The letters round the arena indicate where movements should start and finish - accurate riding can often earn a rider those vital extra marks.

Each movement has a maximum score of 10. A competitor generally needs to be scoring a minimum of 6-7 out of 10 for each movement to have any chance of being amongst the leaders after the dressage phase. They are being judged on freedom and regularity of paces, willingness, accuracy, attention and obedience.

Show Jumping

This phase of Horse Trials is designed to test the ability of horse and rider to jump coloured obstacles which, unlike cross-country fences, can be knocked down. A horse, which is trained to gallop across country jumping fixed obstacles, can be careless over light poles. The height of the fences is low in comparison to "pure" Show Jumping such as those held at Wembley or Hickstead because this phase of a Horse Trial is only part of an overall test

At Horse Trials there are 4 penalties for knocking a fence down with 4 penalties for the first refusal and 8 for the second A third refusal incurs elimination.

Cross Country

All Horse Trials 'include a Cross Country test over a course of fixed obstacles ranging in height from 3'6" - 3'9" and in number from 16 - 24 depending on the level. All courses normally include a variety of fences of varying severity including water and ditches and have to be completed clear and in an optimum time if penalties are not to be incurred. Horses and riders compete individually starting at 2
to 3 minute intervals. Fitness of both horse and rider is of paramount importance and the welfare of the horse is ensured by the attendance of qualified veterinary surgeons.

Most events run a range of classes to suit differing grades of horses. The Pre-Novice is designed as a relaxed introduction to the Sport. Competent combinations of horse and rider can opt to start competing at Novice level - designed to encourage the less experienced. At Intermediate level, horse and rider really start to progress, jumping fences which are not just bigger but which ask more questions in terms of take off and landing demanding a bolder, more accurate approach.