Combined Training

Combined Training is a competition in which, over three days, horses and riders compete in three phases: Dressage, Cross Country and Show Jumping, in that order. Taken as a whole, these phases portray the ability, versatility, and preparedness of horse and rider. Penalty points are recorded and then totaled for the three tests, resulting in a combined score for the whole trial--thus eventing's synonym, combined training. The lowest score wins.

Dressage

The first test of horse and rider involves a series of prescribed classical movements performed on the flat in an enclosed arena. The judges look for a supple, balanced, and lively yet relaxed ride. As in figure skating, both precision of individual movements and overall impression enter into the scoring formula.

Endurance

At the most advanced levels: Phase A: Roads and Tracks, approximately three and a half miles of walk and trot as a warm-up; Phase B: Steeplechase approximately two & one-eighth miles at a gallop over eight or so steeplechase fences; Phase C: more Roads and Tracks with approximately seven miles of walk and trot as a cool down from steeplechase, and Phase D: the Cross-Country, approximately five miles at a gallop over a maximum of forty-five obstacles that can be up to four feet high and ten feet wide (at the base). The horse's speed on this phase is over twenty miles per hour. At the beginning levels, the endurance phase consists of only Cross Country.

Show Jumping

In this phase, horse and rider jump a series of painted fences in an enclosed arena. Show jumping tests the obedience and suppleness of the horse and demonstrates that sufficient stamina and fitness still remain after the strenuous demands of cross-country. In a horse trial, show jumping may be scheduled before cross-country; whatever the sequence, this phase completes the breadth of testing in the eventing triathlon.

Combined Training is a combination of three riding disciplines that present the horse and rider with the ultimate riding challenge. In dressage, the first discipline, horse and rider work together on the flat to achieve balance, suppleness and relaxation while performing a series of prescribed movements at the walk, trot and canter. The desired effect is to make these movements look effortless and graceful - almost as if the horse were performing ballet. The second discipline, cross-country, is considered the heart of combined training and has a much different approach than that of dressage. Speed and endurance play a crucial part in the ability of horse and rider to gallop "across country" jumping solid obstacles that vary in height and width (depending on the experience of horse and rider). The jumps in cross-country are mostly natural in design, such as logs, streams, and banks. Finally, as the last phase of a combined training competition, show jumping tests horse and rider for accuracy and obedience. After challenging dressage and cross-country tests, a show jumping course will decide the final ribbon winners.

There are five different levels of combined training that suit different levels of horses and riders. Starting with the lowest level, they are: Novice, Training, Preliminary, Intermediate and Advanced. An introductory level, often called Beginner Novice, is becoming more popular, as more people are interested in trying the sport of combined training.

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