Editing Eventing (section)

==Phases==
Eventing is an equestrian [[triathlon]], in that it combines three different disciplines in one competition set out over one, two, or three days, depending on the length of courses and number of entries.<ref name="usef">USEF (2021). Eventing. Retrieved on 2021-08-07 from https://www.usef.org/compete/disciplines/eventing.</ref>

This sport follows a similar format in Australia, Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom, and the United States. It is recognized internationally by the [[International Federation for Equestrian Sports|FEI]].{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

===Dressage===

{{See also|Dressage}}
[[File:Frank Ostholt und Little Paint, Dressur, EM Vielseitigkeit 2011.JPG|thumb|upright|Dressage]]
The [[dressage]] phase (held first) consists of an exact sequence of movements ridden in an enclosed arena (20×60&nbsp;m for International 3DE but usually 20×40&nbsp;m for ODE). The test is judged by one or more judges, who are looking for balance, rhythm, suppleness, and most importantly, the cooperation between the horse and rider. The challenge is to demonstrate that a supremely fit horse, capable of completing the cross-country phase on time, also has the training to perform in a graceful, relaxed, and precise manner. Dressage work is the basis of all the other phases and disciplines within the sport of eventing because it develops the strength and balance that allow a horse to go cross-country and show jump competently.

At the highest level of competition, the dressage test is roughly equivalent to the United States Dressage Federation Third Level and may ask for [[half-pass]] at trot, [[shoulder-in]], [[haunches-in|travers]], collected, medium and extended gaits, single [[flying change]]s, and [[counter-canter]]. The tests may ''not'' ask for [[Grand Prix Dressage|Grand Prix]] movements such as [[piaffe]], canter pirouette, or [[passage (dressage)|passage]].

Each movement in the test is scored on a scale from 0 to 10, with a score of "10" being the highest possible mark and with the total maximum score for the test varying depending on the level of competition and the number of movements. A score of 10 is very rare. Therefore, if one movement is poorly executed, it is still possible for the rider to get a good overall score if the remaining movements are very well executed. The marks are added together and any errors of course deducted.  To convert this score to penalty points, the average marks of all judges are converted to a percentage of the maximum possible score, subtracted from 100 and the multiplied by a co-efficient decided by the governing body. 
* Once the bell rings the rider is allowed 45 seconds to enter the ring or receive a two-point penalty, then an additional 45 seconds, for a total of 90 seconds, or is eliminated.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://files.usef.org/assets/j7nlXQg0tg4/13ev.pdf|title=CHAPTER EV EVENTING DIVISION|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325025311/https://files.usef.org/assets/j7nlXQg0tg4/13ev.pdf|archive-date=March 25, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
* If all four feet of the horse exit the arena during the test, this results in elimination.
* If the horse resists more than 20 seconds during the test, this results in elimination.
* If the rider falls, this results in elimination. 
* Errors on course:
** 1st: minus 2 marks
** 2nd: minus 4 marks
** 3rd: elimination

===Cross-country===
[[File:Foto sprong sloot.JPG|thumb|A cross-country jump over a ditch]]
[[Image:454 Paul Sims on Sunny Boy.jpg|thumb|A jump out of water is a popular course design]]
The next phase, [[cross-country equestrianism|cross-country]], requires both horse and rider to be in excellent physical shape and to be brave and trusting of each other. This phase consists of approximately 12–20 fences (lower levels), or 30–40 at the higher levels, placed on a long outdoor circuit. These fences consist of very solidly built natural objects (logs, stone walls, etc.) as well as various obstacles such as [[water (obstacle)|ponds and streams]], ditches, [[bank (obstacle)|drops and banks]], and [[Combination (jump)|combinations]] including several jumping efforts based on objects that would commonly occur in the countryside. Sometimes, particularly at higher levels, fences are designed that would not normally occur in nature. However, these are still designed to be as solid as more natural obstacles. Safety regulations mean that some obstacles are now being built with a "frangible pin system", allowing part or all of the jump to collapse if hit with enough impact. Speed is also a factor, with the rider required to cross the finish line within a certain time frame (optimum time). Crossing the finish line after the optimum time results in penalties for each second over. Riders are usually allowed to wear a stopwatch to enable them to monitor their progress against the optimum time. At lower levels, there is also a speed fault time, where penalties are incurred for horse and rider pairs completing the course too quickly (riders who are judged to be deliberately slowing down e.g. trotting between fences to avoid penalties for going too fast can be eliminated). For every "disobedience" (refusal or run-out of a jump) a horse and rider incur on course, penalties will be added to their dressage score. After four disobediences altogether or three disobediences at one fence the pair is eliminated, meaning they can no longer participate in the competition. A horse and rider pair can also be eliminated for going off course, for example missing a fence. If the horses shoulder and hind-quarter touch the ground, mandatory retirement is taken and they are not allowed to participate further in the competition. If the rider falls off the horse they are eliminated. However, in the US this rule is currently being revised for the Novice level and below. The penalties for disobediences on cross-country are weighted severely relative to the other phases of competition to emphasize the importance of courage, endurance, and athleticism. Fitness is required as the time allowed will require a strong canter at the lower levels, all the way to a strong gallop at the higher events.

In recent years, a controversy has developed between supporters of short and long format three-day events.  Traditionally, three-day events had dressage, endurance, and show jumping. Endurance day consisted of 4 phases: A, B, C and D.  Phases A and C were roads and tracks, with A being a medium-paced warm up to prepare the horse and rider for Phase B, a steeplechase format at an extremely fast pace over steeplechase-style fences.  Phase C was a slow-paced cool down coming off of phase B, in preparation for the toughest and most demanding phase, D, or cross-country.  Before embarking on phase D, in the "ten-minute box", horses had to be approved to continue by a [[veterinary physician|vet]], who monitored their temperature and [[circulatory system of the horse|heart rate]], ensuring that the horse was sound and fit.

Three day events are now offered in the classic format, with endurance day, or short-format, with no steeplechase (phase B) or roads and tracks (phases A and C).  The 2004 Olympic Summer Games in Athens, Greece chose the short format, due to lack of facilities, time and financing, which sparked a large debate in the eventing community whether to keep the steeplechase phase or just offer cross-country. Today, most events are run short-format. In the United States the "classic format" remains a popular option for the Novice, and Training levels of competition at select events.

In 2008, the rules regarding safety in the sport were changed. One change stated that a fall anywhere during the cross-country phase resulted in elimination, even if the rider was galloping on course and not approaching a jump, or in the middle of a combination.

==== Scoring ====
[[Image:Tim price vortex refusal dairy mounds burghley 2009.jpg|thumb|right|Tim Price does well to stay on as Vortex refuses at the Dairy Mounds during the cross-country phase of Burghley Horse Trials 2009.]]
* [[Refusal (horse)|Refusal]], run-out, or circle:
** At the same obstacle:
*** First: 20 penalties
*** Second: 40 penalties
*** 20 penalties at each question
** In the round (for instance one refusal at each of several different obstacles):
*** Third (used to be fourth refusal, and still is for lower national levels in some countries only): elimination
*Activating a frangible device on cross country at an FEI competition will now award 11 penalties under the ground jury's discretion
* Fall of rider: elimination 
* Fall of horse (shoulder and hind touch the ground): elimination 
* Exceeding the time:
** Optimum: 0.4 penalties per second
** Limit (twice the optimum): elimination 
* Coming in under speed fault time: 1 penalty per second (lower national levels in some countries only)

==== Other faults ====
* Competing with improper saddlery: elimination 
* Jumping without headgear or a properly fastened harness: elimination 
* Error of course not rectified: elimination 
* Omission of obstacle: elimination 
* Jumping an obstacle in the wrong order or direction: elimination 
* Retaking an obstacle already jumped: elimination 
* Dangerous riding, at determination of the ground jury: elimination (usually with a warning first) 
* Failure to wear medical armband: elimination (at discretion of ground jury) 
* 3 or 4 (depending on the competition) refusals on whole course: elimination

==== Types of obstacles ====
{{Main|Cross-country equestrianism|Indoor cross-country|Horse jumping obstacles}}

[[Image:3DE combinaison direct way.svg|right|thumb|200px|The "direct route" when jumping cross-country]]
[[Image:3DE combinaison optional way.svg|right|thumb|200px|If the rider has a refusal at the direct route, he may jump the other B element without additional penalty than incurred for the refusal.]] 
A combination is always considered one obstacle, and the various elements within the combination are lettered "A", "B", "C", and so on. In cross-country, the rider need only retake the element they refused rather than the whole complex. So a refusal at element B does not require them to jump A again. However, they have the option of retaking the previous elements if they wish. For example, in a bounce type obstacle it may be physically impossible to approach B without first clearing A. Yet for some in and outs, you can go to B and not have to rejump A.

Many cross-country obstacles have several possible routes to take (for example, at obstacle 5 there may be 2 A, 2 B, and 2 C elements), with one route usually being faster but requiring a more skillful ride or more physical effort from the horse. A rider may take any of the possible routes as long as they pass over each letter once. Additionally, after a refusal, they may jump a different obstacle of the same letter in place of the original.

A refusal at A is a first refusal, and would receive 20 penalties. Whether the rider retakes A or not, a subsequent refusal at B is a second refusal and so on. Three refusals at any one obstacle results in elimination, as does 4 refusals on the entire course.

====Ten Minute Box====

The "Ten Minute Box" is a compulsory halt included during the cross-country section of a three-day event after the roads and tracks and steeplechase phases and before the "pure" cross-country jumping phase. It is a pause designed to allow the horse time to cool off, rest and stabilize its vitals and ensure that it is prepared for the "pure" cross-country phase. In the Ten Minute Box, riders and assistants will cool the horse down, walk the horse around and check tack and studs and a veterinarian will inspect the horse - including checking its heart and respiration rates - to determine if it is fit to compete in the final "pure" cross-country phase.

=== Show jumping ===
[[Image:RolexFence1.JPG|thumb|Show jumping phase at the Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event]]
{{Main|Show jumping}}

Stadium or show jumping is the final phase of eventing competition and tests the technical jumping skills of the horse and rider, including suppleness, obedience, fitness, and athleticism. In this phase, 12–20 fences are set up in a ring. These fences are typically brightly colored and consist of elements that can be knocked down, unlike cross-country obstacles. This phase is also timed, with penalties being given for every second over the required time. In addition to normal jumping skills, eventing show jumping tests the fitness and stamina of the horse and rider, generally being held after the cross-country phase in higher level and international events.

==== Scoring ====
* Knocking down an obstacle: 4 penalties
* Disobedience (refusal, run-out, circle, moving backwards) over the whole round:
** First: 4 penalties
** Second:  Elimination
* Fall of rider: Elimination
* Fall of horse: Elimination
* Exceeding the time allowed: 0.4 of a penalty per second
* Jumping an obstacle in the wrong order: Elimination
* Error of course not rectified: Elimination

An obstacle is defined as having been knocked down if any part of its height is lowered. It is therefore possible to knock out a pole below the top pole and receive no penalties, as long as the highest pole stays in place, so that the jump retains the same height. It does count as a knockdown if the highest pole falls out of one jump cup but remains in the other; although part of the pole remains at the original height, the other part is lowered.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Rules of Each Event Phase and How They Are Scored|url=http://www.britisheventing.com/section.asp?section=681&sectionTitle=The+Phases+explained|publisher=British Eventing|access-date=15 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528130943/http://www.britisheventing.com/section.asp?section=681&sectionTitle=The+Phases+explained|archive-date=28 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Jumping Rules|url=http://www.fei.org/sites/default/files/file/OFFICIALS%20%26%20ORGANISERS/ORGANISERS/JUMPING/Technical%20Info/JumpRules_24thEd_2013_clean_1.pdf|publisher=Fédération Equestre Internationale|access-date=15 December 2012}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

The winner is the horse and rider with the fewest penalties. Awards are usually presented while mounted, before the placed riders take a lap of honor around the arena.