Schedule Of Equestrian Eventing

Equestrian - Eventing had its origin in cavalry riding and the competition involves dressage, cross-country riding and jumping. Eventing was formerly known as Combined Training. Equestrian - Eventing is the only Olympic sport in which men and women contest on equal terms. Equestrian - Eventing debuted in 1912 Olympics. In the beginning, the eventing competition was restricted to only military men. Later, in 1952 Helsinki Olympics Games, civilians were included to participate in the eventing sport. The 2012 London Olympics eventing competition will be held at Greenwich Park, the oldest Royal Park in London, from 28 July - 31 July 2012. The number of events to be held is 2 and the number of athletes participating for Equestrian- eventing competitions is 75. The London Olympics eventing competition will be held for four days with dressage on the first two days which will be followed by cross country; and show jumping on the final event day.

Equestrian - Eventing in London 2012 Olympics

Olympic Equestrian - Eventing Rules
Dressing is the first phase and takes about two days of the Eventing competition. The dressage test comprises of sequential movements in specified arena where riders need to demonstrate rhythm, balance, suppleness, harmony and obedience of the horse. The dressage test is scored on a scale from 0 to 10. The riders must present their horse supremely fit to take on cross country phase and able to perform in a precise, relaxed and graceful manner. The cross county is the second phase where both horse and rider are required to perform on the installed fences. The fences can be natural objects such as stonewalls, telephone poles, ponds, ditches and drops. The fences are built as obstacles for rider and horse which required jumping. The pairs are required to traverse within specified time limit. The judges award scores keeping the speed factor in mind. An act of disobedience from a horse, time and jumping errors incur penalty for the pair. The pair will be eliminated after 3 disobediences, missing a fence, shoulder of horse touching the ground and rider falling on the ground. The pair with least penalties will be adjudged the winner. The final phase which takes place on Day 4 is a jumping test or show jumping. There are two rounds of test for show jumping. The first round will determine the placing of pair in the team event and second round of show jumping will decide the winner of the eventing sport. The Equestrian eventing competition will have both Individual and group events where men and women will compete against each other on equal terms.

Safety Measures for Eventing Sport
Owing to fatal casualties for riders and horses in the cross-country phase of eventing, safety measures are being taken such as filling in the space between corner-shaped jumps and rails of a fence. These measures help in preventing serious injuries for the participants. The use of frangible fences minimizes the risk of injury to the participants. The riders are required to wear safety vest and equestrian helmet for the cross country phase of the eventing. Inspite of the all the measures, the Equestrian eventing continues to be a dangerous sport as there is every chance of succumbing to fatal injuries.

Some Interesting Facts

-Tsering Chodon