Editing Eventing (section)

===Format===
The original format, used in the [[Equestrian at the 1912 Summer Olympics – Individual eventing|1912 Olympics]], was spread over several days:
*'''Day 1''': Endurance test comprising {{convert|55|km|mi|abbr=on}} (with a time allowed of 4 hours, giving a speed of approx. 230 meters per minute) immediately followed by {{convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on}} of a flagged cross-country course at a speed of 333 meters per minute. Time penalties were given for exceeding the time allowed, but no bonus points were given for being fast.
*'''Day 2''': Rest day
*'''Day 3''': [[steeplechase (horse racing)|Steeplechase]] test of {{convert|3.5|km|mi|abbr=on}} with 10 plain obstacles, at a speed of 600 mpm, with time penalties but no time bonus points
*'''Day 4''': Jumping test ("prize jumping"), which was considered easy by most of the spectators
*'''Day 5''': Dressage test ("prize riding")

The [[1924 Summer Olympics|Paris Games]] in 1924 introduced a format very similar to the one of today: with day 1 dressage, day 2 the endurance test, and day 3 the jumping test. The endurance test has changed the most since that time. Originally, bonus points could be earned for a fast ride cross-country (less than the optimum time). This helped competitors make up for a poor dressage ride, with a clean, fast cross-country ride. This system, however, was dropped in 1971. The format for the endurance test occurred as below:

*'''Phase A''': Short roads and tracks (with five penalties per 5 seconds over time)
*'''Phase B''': Steeplechase, decreased in speed from 600 mpm to 550 mpm (with 10 penalties added per 5 seconds over the time, 3 bonus points per 5 seconds under time)
*'''Phase C''': Long roads and tracks (with 5 penalties per 5 seconds over time)
*'''Compulsory Halt''' (now the 10-minute halt)
*'''Phase D''': Cross-country (with 10 penalties added per 5 seconds over the time, 3 bonus points per 10 seconds under time)
*'''Phase E''': 1.25 mile run on the flat (with 5 penalties per 5 seconds over time).

(Note: Phase E was abolished in 1967.)

In 1963, the 10-minute halt was introduced, to occur after the completion of phases A, B, and C. It took place in a marked out area (the 10-minute box), where the horse was checked by two judges and one veterinary official who would make sure the horse was fit to continue onto phase D. If the horse was unfit, the panel would pull it from the competition.

The format of the sport underwent major changes in 2004 and 2005, with the creation of the "short" or "modified format", which excluded phases A, B, and C from endurance day. The primary reason for excluding these phases was that the Olympic Committee was considering dropping the sport of eventing from the Olympics because of the cost and large area required for the speed and endurance phase with a steeplechase course and several miles of roads-and-tracks. To prevent the elimination of the sport from the Olympics program, the "short format" was developed by the FEI. The last Olympic Games that included the long, or "classic", three-day format was the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney, while [[Rolex Kentucky Three Day|Rolex Kentucky]], the [[Badminton Horse Trials]], and [[Burghley Horse Trials]] ran their last long format three-day in 2005. The short format is now the standard for international competition, such as the Olympics and [[World Equestrian Games]].

The change in format has brought about controversy. Some riders support the continuation of the classic format, believing it is the "true test of horse and rider". Others believe the classic format is superior because it teaches horsemanship, due to the extra preparation needed to condition the horse and the care required after the several miles of endurance day. However, others prefer the short format, as they believe it saves wear-and-tear on their horses and allows the horse not only to compete in more three-day events each season, but decreases the chance of injury to the horse. However, this claim has not held true in several recent studies that compared injuries sustained in classic and in short format competitions over equivalent courses.  Further, some research indicates that horses are more stressed by the short format than by the careful warm-up inherent in the classic format.  Regardless, many upper-level riders prepare their horses for the short format using the same conditioning and training as for the long format. The short format has also been widely urged by breeders of heavier, warmblood-type horses. The long format has remained popular at the Novice and Training levels in the United States, and with riders who feel it maximizes horsemanship.