Eventing is the ultimate equestrian challenge comprised of dressage, show jumping and cross country. It can be likened to a triathlon, with horses and riders demonstrating a range of skills across the three disciplines. To compete successfully in eventing, combinations must show harmony and rhythm in the dressage, balance and precision in the show jumping and accuracy and bravery in the cross country phase. The combination with the lowest penalty score at the end of the event is the winner. As horses and riders move up the levels, the difficulty and technicality of the phases increases.
The eventing season begins in the Spring. If you wish to compete in One Day Events then please contact the discipline organiser as early in the year as possible so they know to alert you to schedules and training.
Meg Henderson oversees all Levels – PC70, PC80, PC90, PC100, and PC Open. If you are not sure what level you should be doing please speak to Meg whose details are in Contacts. Let her know which competitions you would like to enter and she will make up teams and advise you when to enter online. We would always recommend that you compete at the height lower than what you jump at home and in training, so that you can tackle the competition with confidence.
Training sessions are organised for the three eventing stages – Dressage, Show Jumping and Cross Country. These will be advertised on the calendar, under each different discipline, but it all works towards the same outcome. Be pro-active, book on the training and come along and join in – newcomers are very welcome whether you want to compete or not and once we know you want to event you will be helped through the process and guided through the rules!
Places at competitions fill up very quickly and numbers permitted from each branch are sometimes restricted. All entry forms AND PAYMENT made out to the Host Pony Club need to be sent to Meg Henderson promptly to enable branch entries to be submitted well before the closing dates. Details of payment amounts, cheque payees, closing dates etc will be sent out with each schedule, as and when they are published. This is often at least a month before the competition so Meg has time to do teams and get forms signed by the DC.
Members who compete regularly for our branch may then be selected to compete at Area, with the chance of qualifying for the Pony Club National Championships (PC90 level and above). Meg Henderson selects teams for Area competitions following training with Kay Jenman or another branch instructor.
We hold a pre-Area training day for the selected teams to practice the dressage tests and so you all meet as a team to support each other, parents and competitiors!
When you compete at an event for the branch please remember:
Dressage – plain white or black numnah, no martingales and see rules for bits
Show jumping – same as dressage, with martingale if needed and bits as per rules, possibly studs
Cross Country – WKMPC cross country colours = club sweatshirt or red skins, black hat silk or black/red, and possibly studs. Body protectors, air jackets if you have them, and number bibs – it is useful to have your own.
Approximate jump heights:
(PC70): 70cm (PC80): 80cm
(PC90): 90cm (PC100): 100cm
(PC Open): 1m10
Remember that for Cross Country you need a hat without a fixed peak.
Please scan the QR code to below to keep up to date with all the latest Eventing information on our WhatsApp group. There will be documents and links and media if you press the three spots at the top of WhatsApp for things that are always useful, then the news on the front page.
