Dangerous Horse Competition. A Woman Wins. Brutal On Horse & Human. 

You are watching a portion of a one hour primetime television special that I made on Olympic level equestrian competition. To see the full film go here - • The Most Beautiful Equ...
Three-day eventing is a demanding equestrian sport that tests the versatility, stamina and skill of both horse and rider. It is considered by many to be the ultimate test in horseback riding due to its comprehensive challenges across three distinct disciplines. The sport originated as a military test for cavalry mounts.
Three-day eventing consists of three phases spread over three days. In this clip for my documentary, you are watching Cross-Country.
Dressage: The first phase, dressage, involves a series of predetermined movements performed in a flat arena. This phase tests the horse's obedience, suppleness, and precision, as well as the rider's ability to communicate effectively with the horse. The movements must appear effortless and are judged on finesse and grace.
Cross-Country: The second phase is the most physically demanding and is often considered the highlight of eventing. It requires horse and rider to navigate a long course of fixed jumps set in a natural terrain, which can include water obstacles, ditches, and banks. This phase tests the stamina, speed, bravery, and trust between the horse and rider, as well as the rider's knowledge of pace and the ability to make quick decisions.
Show Jumping: The final phase involves jumping over a series of colored obstacles in an arena, which are easily knocked down if hit. This phase tests the precision, agility, and technique of the horse and the rider's ability to recover and refocus the horse after the grueling cross-country day.
Cross Country is regarded as one of the most dangerous equestrian sports, primarily due to the high-speed and fixed obstacles that significantly increase the risk of falls and injuries. Cross-country showcases the deep bond between horse and rider, challenging them with a dynamic and demanding course that tests the limits of their training and bravery. It embodies the spirit of eventing, combining the beauty of natural landscapes with the exhilarating challenge of athletic competition.
One of the unique aspects of eventing is its gender-neutral competition structure. Men and women compete against each other on equal terms, which is relatively uncommon in the sporting world. Women have been highly successful in eventing, with many reaching the highest levels of the sport, including Olympic and World Championship competitions. This parity shows that skill, strategy, and communication between horse and rider are the most critical factors in success, rather than the physical strength differences between genders.
The cross-country phase is a thrilling test of speed, endurance, and agility that takes place over varied terrain. It is often considered the heart of eventing because of its excitement and the ultimate test of partnership it provides between horse and rider.
Cross-country courses are set over natural terrain which may include fields, woods, and sometimes even more rugged landscapes. The course comprises a series of fixed obstacles which the horse and rider pair must navigate. These obstacles are made from natural materials and are designed to appear integrated into the landscape.
Types of obstacles:
Logs: Simple logs are among the most basic cross-country obstacles.
Ditches: These require the horse to jump both long and across.
Water Jumps: These can involve jumping into or out of water, and sometimes both, often with additional elements like logs placed before or after the water.
Banks: These are steep inclines that horses must jump up onto or down from, requiring significant balance and power.
Combination Jumps: These are sequences of two or more obstacles placed close together, demanding quick thinking and agility from the horse and rider.
The primary goal in cross-country is to complete the course within a set optimum time, accruing no penalties. Penalties can be given for various reasons, including:
Refusals: When a horse stops short or runs out to the side instead of jumping an obstacle.
Falls: Penalties are incurred for falls of either the horse or rider.
Time Penalties: Going over the optimum time results in penalties, as does finishing significantly under the time in some competitions to discourage riding dangerously fast.
The cross-country phase demands a diverse set of skills from both horse and rider.
Horses need to be in peak physical condition to handle the physical demands of the course. Horses must be able to adjust quickly to varying types of obstacles and terrain. Horses must trust their riders and have the courage to approach and jump unfamiliar and sometimes intimidating obstacles. Riders must make split-second decisions on how to approach each obstacle, choose the best line, and adjust their speed according to the conditions and their horse’s energy levels.