Eventing

Eventing is an equestrian sport in which horse and rider compete across three disciplines—dressage, cross-country, and show jumping—usually over several days. The objective is to demonstrate the athleticism, versatility, and harmony of the horse–rider pair. At the elite level, eventing is an Olympic sport and a principal feature of the World Equestrian Games.

Origins and governance: Eventing evolved from cavalry trials conducted in the 19th and early 20th centuries to test horses’ suitability for battlefield service. It developed into a formal sport in which riders are judged on a combination of dressage performance and penalties earned across cross-country and show jumping. The sport is governed internationally by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).

Format and scoring: A competition is divided into phases. Dressage assesses balance, suppleness, and obedience; scores are given as penalties, with lower scores being better. Cross-country is a timed endurance-type test over a fixed course with natural obstacles; penalties accrue for refusals, falls, going off course, or exceeding the time allowed. Show jumping, held on a separate arena, penalizes knocked rails, refusals, and exceeding the time allowed. The final score is the sum of penalties from all phases; the lowest total wins. In many events, ties are broken by a jump-off in the show jumping phase or by other predefined tiebreakers.

Major competitions and impact: Eventing comprises national and international events, with the Olympic Games and the World Equestrian Games providing the sport’s premier global titles. It emphasizes rider skill, horse endurance, and safety, with ongoing rule updates and welfare standards implemented by the FEI.