FREE
A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO EVENTING
EVENTING
DRESSAGE
SHOWJUMPING
CROSS COUNTRY
THE BEGINNERS’S GUIDE TO EVENTING HAS LOTS OF LINKS TO ALLOW THE READER TO CLICK ON. THIS WILL REDIRECT YOU TO AN EXTERNAL WEBSITE - FOR EXAMPLE CLICK HERE TO BE REDIRECTED TO THE EVENTING IRELAND EVENTS PAGE
Calling all ‘GRASSROOTS’ competitors and budding new eventers! If you want to get involved in the brilliant sport of eventing, we’ve got the perfect Beginner’s Guide for you. We appreciate it can seem like a minefield for newcomers to our sport. From understanding the three disciplines and the rules involved, to training advice, getting registered as a member, what to wear, working out equipment you will need, how to navigate your first event from entry to the day itself but …………we are here to help you every step of the way
KATE WALSH Our Youth Ambassador for 2024. Why not follow her on Facebook or Instagram for useful tips and advice and to see what she is planning for this season
Eventing in a nutshell Eventing is a sport with a most welcoming and supportive community. You will make life-long friends, learn so many valuable life lessons and have hours of fun with your equine partner. The competition is made up of three stages: dressage, show jumping and cross-country riding. Horses and riders compete in each discipline, for which they are scored, with a combined score from the three areas used to determine the overall winner. The winner is the combination with the lowest score across the three disciplines. 2
DATE REMINDER FLEXI EVENTING STARTS 13TH JANUARY 2024 FOR 7 WEEKS
Eventing Ireland and Eventing Ireland Northern Region Eventing Ireland is the National Governing Body of the sport in Ireland.
Eventing Ireland Northern Region is responsible for eventing in Northern Ireland. Our Committee and a tireless team of volunteers organise all the Northern Region events throughout the year and includes the brilliant pre-season Baileys Horse Feeds Flexi Eventing League at the Meadows Equestrian Centre which runs for 7 consecutive weeks starting on 13th January 2024. You will find lots of helpful information on the Eventing Ireland Website, including dates for upcoming events, to help start you plan your season, live results on the day of the event and a very useful FAQs Section packed with every question you might need answered.
You can also follow
DORA BEACOM
Eventing Ireland’s social pages to keep up-to-date at: Eventing Ireland Eventing Ireland Northern Region Eventing Ireland Instagram
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The Eventing Ireland Rule Book The Eventing Ireland Rule Book is available on the website and is really the holy grail for all eventing queries about everything from tack, rules, memberships, passports. Don’t forget, it is your responsibility as a rider and/or a parent to understand the rules. This resource really is like a bible for eventing! It can be found here and will be updated shortly with the new 2024 rules: The Eventing Ireland Rulebook 2023
Pre-season training – get started with the Baileys Horse Feeds Flexi Eventing League First things first.
League at the Meadows Equestrian Centre from Saturday 13 January and running each Saturday until 24 February. All details can be found on the Eventing Ireland Northern Region Facebook page and on the Meadows Equestrian website or follow Dora on Facebook
Do you have a plan?
Are you already comfortable competing across all three disciplines?
Is there an area you lack experience in This is an excellent opportunity to get and may need to put in a bit of time out and ride one or all three of the schooling with your equine friend? disciplines: dressage, showjumping, and a cross-country phase in an arena. The Have you got a good coach or a flexi eventing is open to everyone and variety of coaches to advise and help costs £15 per discipline. Plaiting is not you? necessary but proper dress should be worn and suitable Body Protectors Is your horse fit? MUST be worn for cross-country.
A brilliant way to answer some of these questions and prepare yourself for the 2024 season is by taking part in the Baileys Horse Feeds Flexi Eventing
Please note that the BETA Level 3 body protector with the year 2009 (purple label) will not be acceptable from 1 January 2024.
There are showjumping classes to suit all abilities at 70cms, 80cms, 90cms, 1m, 1.10 and 1.20. For the cross-country phase, there are 4 full courses at 70cms, 80cms, 90cms and 1m. Hat tagging will be carried out by Eventing Ireland Officials at the Meadows so this is a great chance to get your hat tagged pre-season. Dressage must be pre-entered by 5pm the Wednesday before the event and emailed or texted to Dora on 07876758979 or dorabeacom@live.co.uk . Showjumping and cross-country can be entered online through the Meadows Equestrian Centre website. 4
Details of 2024’s Baileys Horse Feeds Flexi Eventing dressage tests are as follows:
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How to choose your first event The Northern Region season begins at Tyrella, on 23rd March 2024 and finishes at Vesey Lodge, Newtownabbey on 14thSeptember 2024, but there are lots of great events all over Ireland to choose from, including the Grassroots Championship and National Championships. All events are listed in the events section of the Eventing Ireland website.
Another great way to keep up to date with the year’s events is the Bit Media Wall Planner which can be purchased for €9.
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Eventing Ireland Membership Try it before you buy it options By now you might be wondering if you need to be a member to compete at Eventing Ireland. The good news is, if you are just wanting to dip your toe in to see if it’s really for you, there are options to allow you to try eventing first before committing to a full year’s membership.
1st events of the season
16th March 2024
Frankfort Stud 1 23rd March 2024
Day Membership and Day Registration Day membership and Day Registrations are available to members and non-members to enable them to ride a registered or unregistered horse at EI105, EI100, EI90, and EI80 classes. A Day Membership and Registration effectively registers one Athlete and one horse for a competition. Day Membership and horse registration fees are in addition to the entry fee. All horses or ponies competing on a day registration must have the correct passport which must accompany the horse or pony to ALL competitions. You MUST send a copy of the naming page of the passport for an unregistered horse competing on a day registration to Head Office BEFORE you can enter any event.
Tyrella 1 31st March 2024 Frankfort Stud 2 6th April 2024 Tyrella 2 7th April 2024 Lisgarvan House 14th April 2024 Hillcrest 1
To enter an event with Day Membership (rider) and Day Registration (horse) you simply go to the Eventing Ireland website and create a web-only account.
20th April 2024
Once you have done this Eventing Ireland will send you an email with your membership login details.
21st April 2024
Full details of Day Memberships can be found in the Eventing Ireland Rule Book.
Tyrella 3
Crecora 1
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Restricted Membership If you are planning to compete more than three or four times during the year it may be more cost effective to join up as a restricted member (€95) with a restricted horse (€45). These members are not required to pay for day membership or for day registration for their horse. This applies to athletes 18 years or over who wish to compete in EI80, EI90, EI100 and EI105 only. Full Membership So……you’ve competed at a few events and you’ve been bitten by the bug and have decided that you’ve found your tribe……. what next? Well there’s little left to do, other than to log in to your online account and upgrade your membership. All memberships and registrations will be for a period of 12 months from the date of joining/registration (rolling membership). You can join as a:
Senior Athlete: Athletes 18 years or over competing at all levels of competition. This includes Amateur riders who must tick the amateur box and be 21 years and over.
Young Rider: Athletes from the beginning of the calendar year in which they turn 18 until the end of the calendar year in which they turn 21.
Junior Athlete: Athletes from the year of their 12th birthday until the age of 18 years competing at all levels of competition.
Restricted Rider: Athletes 18 years or over who wish to compete in EI80, EI90, EI100 and EI105 classes only. Restricted members can upgrade their membership to Senior Riders at any time.
Amateur Athlete: An amateur athlete is one who receives no income from riding, producing horses or coaching athletes. Athletes may compete in any amateur competition from the beginning of the calendar year in which they turn 21.
Pony Athlete: Pony athletes can compete from the beginning of the calendar year in which they turn 12 until the end of the calendar year they turn 16. Pony athletes may compete in the EI80 (T), EI90P, EI100P and EI110P.
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If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must first register as an online member (web membership) and then from within their online account they can register the underage rider. However, if they need to register your pony or horse they need to become a ‘Non Riding Member’. Membership for under 18’s must be accompanied by a signed Parent Consent Form along with a Letter of Competency or approval from their Regional Pony Club or approved riding instructor, and for Athletes aged 13 and under only, a Data Consent Form. Membership Costs are as follows:
Horse Registration Costs are as follows
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Training Classes EI80(T), EI90 (T) AND EI100 (T) Training classes are an excellent way to try eventing before becoming a full member. They are run under Eventing Ireland rules and run over the same tracks – all the same rules regarding eliminations, tack, dress, etiquette apply as in regular classes. Training classes are open to all riders/horses however results are not kept on the system. Results remain visible for the weekend of the event but are removed on the Monday morning. The good news is that training classes do not incur day membership or day registration fees, you just pay the entry fee. Age Restrictions and Letter of Competency for Training Classes: Before entering your first training class or competition there are several things you will need to be aware of. Underage Athletes: Athletes must be in the year of their 12th birthday to be eligible to compete on a Day Ticket. Letter of Competency: Day Membership for under 18’s must be accompanied by a signed Parent Consent Form along with a Letter of Competency or approval from their Regional Pony Club or approved riding instructor, and for Athletes aged 13 and under only, a Data Consent Form. These forms can be done online via the Eventing Ireland website using the links above. Once the initial day membership/registration has been approved for that combination, day memberships/registrations can then be purchased online with your entry.
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Rules for your Horse: Training classes are open to horses or ponies either registered or via web-registration Ponies must be at least 138cm and 5 years or older Horses must be at least 148cm and 4 years or older A pony ridden by an adult must be a minimum of 143cm and 5 years of age Once you have your documents in place if you are under 18, and are web-registered, you can go ahead and enter your first event! Don’t forget, we are a very friendly bunch, and Dora Beacom is always available to answer any questions you may have regarding your membership or registration. So, if you are unsure, please do reach out!
Volunteering Without volunteers there would be no eventing! If you can imagine, each event is like a huge road show that rolls into town and requires hundreds of volunteers just to make it happen! It is mandatory for all our members in the Northern Region to volunteer themselves (or elect a family member in their place) a minimum of THREE times per season. If you are new to eventing, volunteering before you compete can be an excellent way of learning about how the events work. Why not give Dora a call before the season starts and offer your services as a volunteer to get to see what it’s all about?
We are also holding a Volunteers’ Evening at The Meadows Equestrian Centre on 5 March 2024 when all the different roles will be explained.
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The Levels Explained You’ve decided on where your first event will be so now it’s time to work out what class to enter. There are so many classes! We recommend if you are new to eventing you first start with the training classes which run at EI80T, EI90T and EI100T. You may be out show jumping at 90cms but have never done a full cross-country course before with your horse or pony. It’s always a good idea to feel confident and comfortable with the level you choose. We recommend if you are confidently jumping 90cms show jumping and it is your first event to give the EI80T a go. Of course, if you are under 18 and plan to compete in the EI90, EI100 or EI110, you will have already been assessed and passed for the level you are competent to compete at, so this won’t be such an issue.
EI80T: Dressage will be an BE90 (British Eventing) test. Show jumps are no higher than 0.85m and cross-country fences 0.8m. EI90T: Dressage will be an BE90
test. Show jumps are no higher than 0.95m and cross-country fences 0.90m. EI100T: Dressage will be an BE100 test. Show jumps are a maximum height of 1.05m with
cross-country jumps 1m.
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How to prepare in the run up to your first event In the months before the Event: Training, training and more training! Preparation is the key to success! Eventing is made up of three disciplines and it is important that you have grasped the basics of each one before you are ready to compete. Discuss your plan with your trainer and make sure you are ready. Also, doing three disciplines in one day requires a certain level of fitness from your equine partner as well as yourself. You will need to have put in the leg work to ensure your horse or pony is fit to enjoy the rigours of a day’s eventing!
We recommend you start with dressage as this discipline underpins everything you do in eventing and helps to develop the rider’s control and mastery of all the basics as well as improving your partnership with your horse or pony. Practice your show jumping to the level you wish to compete at and get out to training show jumping shows at that level. Don’t forget gridwork and pole work can really help your control and pace management for show jumping. Finally, train your horse for the cross-country phase by making sure he is fit. Conditioning work for your horse can include hill work, interval exercises and cantering in your arena or at the gallops. You can simulate riding crosscountry by taking part in arena eventing at shows such as the Baileys Horse Feeds Flexi Eventing or by going to school at special cross-country venues which will include a range of cross-country fences such as water jumps, wedges, brush hedges, banks and drops
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Get your Entry in on time All entries are made within the Events Section of the Eventing Ireland website. Most events open for entries on the Monday, two weeks prior to the event although, please note that some events are open up to 6 weeks before the event and entries for certain classes may fill up quickly, so it is always a good idea to keep an eye on the entries and, better still, to get entered early. Entries typically close at NOON on the Monday before the event. However, please, please, please do NOT leave it until close to then to enter as you may well encounter problems and miss the deadline. Dressage and show jumping times for Northern Region events are published within the Event page on the Eventing Ireland website on the Thursday before the event (usually, from 2pm). The Event Programme is available on the day before the event and is found in the ‘News Items’ on the Eventing Ireland website.
A GREAT ADDITION TO YOUR EVENT PREPARTION IS THE 2 PHASE EVENT HELD ON THE 9TH MARCH AT T YRELLA THIS IS AN INVALUABLE RESOURCE FOR YOUR SEASON PREPARATION
ENTRIES TO THIS EVENT WILL FILL UP FAST SO GET YOUR ENTRIES IN EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT
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Find and practice your Dressage Test When you enter, you will see which dressage test applies to your class. All dressage tests can be downloaded from the Dressage Tests Section on the Eventing Ireland website. You will need to memorise and practice this test with your horse. Don’t forget, each movement is marked out of 10, so if you do make a mistake, it’s not the end of the world. You will probably lose marks for this movement, but the main thing is to put it behind you and concentrate on the remaining movements in the test!
The Day before the Event Download the Event Programme The Event Programme for each event is published online the day before the event. This is an essential bit of kit to have in your toolbox the day before you compete! It is full of vital information that you are going to need, from event location and directions, to your number, dressage and show jumping times, arena numbers for dressage and show jumping, showjumping and cross-country course maps, cross-country optimum times, even who will be judging your dressage test. There are also details of the start times for each class cross-country. Crosscountry runs in numerical order at intervals of either 1, 1.5 or 2 minutes although multiple riders in a class will be slotted in but you can roughly estimate your cross-country time from this valuable resource. However, on the day itself you will still need to listen to the tannoy to check which number is on course.
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A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO EVENTING
This is what the front of our Programme looks like and it contains everything you need to know about the event.
Cross-country Course Walk You may think you have enough to do getting ready for the event the day before with packing, plaiting, cleaning your tack, going over your dressage test, but we strongly recommend you take the time to go to the venue of the event and spend an hour walking your cross-country course. You’ll see all the top riders doing exactly the same thing the day before the event – some will even have walked their course multiple times before the competition. Try to walk with a coach, an Eventing Ireland Rider ‘Mentor’ (who are sometimes available for course walks the night before), or fellow competitors within your class and take the time, not only to memorise the course, but also to think how you will ride each fence. Take pictures of each fence with the numbers beside them. This will give you great confidence the next day when you head to the start line for your cross-country.
TOP TIP Walk the XCountry course twice and if possible with a coach or an
Eventing Ireland Rider Mentor . If you can—
Show jumping Course The show jumping course will also be available to walk the day before and we recommend you go and have a look at this. Consider the surface – is it on grass or in an arena? Familiarise yourself with distances between the fences.
walk the course the night before and on the day
of the event if time allows
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Make a list and check it at least twice!! There is so much to remember when you go eventing and even the most seasoned professionals will have an eventing checklist as long as their arm. We have prepared this basic list for you, but as you become more experienced, you will undoubtedly want to add to this.
WASH AND PLAIT HORSE THREAD YOUR STUD HOLES FILL WITH COTTON WOOL CLEAN TACK
CLEAN YOUR BOOTS BRING WATER AND HAY FOR YOUR HORSE/PONY SKULL CAP AND BACK PROTECTOR NUMBER BIB PUT POSTCODE OF EVENT IN YOUR PHONE
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Make a plan of your timings and write this on a white board or on a sheet of paper that you can easily see. Here’s a sample plan for you, based on a 9.30 dressage test- however, please remember that not all horses have the same warmup routine so you might need longer/ shorter than this suggestion: 0800 - Arrive at event and pick up number your horse to warm up and settle. Some horses from Eventing Ireland Office. In the Northern require a longer warm up than others. Region, this is an Orange LIGHTSOURCE 0930 - Dressage Test Unit, manned by Dora Always take your horse’s passport with you in 0945 - Untack horse case it has been selected for random checking. If your hats have not been tagged with current 1000 - Walk show jumping course in the gap tags (solid red for cross country skull cap and between 2 classes red striped for dressage and show jumping) please take those with you as well when you 1100 - Tack up horse are picking up your numbers. 1115 - Go to show jumping warmup and report to showjumping steward Please note that the Northern Region ALWAYS provides competitor numbers as this is a guide to whether or not you have arrived. 1145 - Show jumping If, for any reason, you cannot attend the event, 1200 - Untack horse please, either withdraw on the website or contact the Event Organiser (Dora in Northern 1300 - Re-walk cross-country course Region) 1400 - Put in studs if you require these for Likewise, if you have started your competition your cross-country depending on ground conditions but wish to withdraw from any remaining phase, please let the Organiser know so that 1540 - Tack up horse for cross-country with the Stewards are not looking for you! cross-country boots, stud girth. Change into rider cross-country colours, put on back 0845 - Tack up horse – remembering no protector and skull cap martingale or horse boots to be worn in dressage. Have you decided to use studs? 1600 - Go to cross-country warmup 0900 -Go to dressage warm-up and report to steward that you are there (plan your warmup 1620 - Cross-country start time approx. based on how long it normally takes you and
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Things to have at the ready for the morning of departure
Tail bandage Travel sheet Travel boots if you use these Hay nets Head collar
Things to pack in car/trailer/lorry
Horse passport Grooming kit, including brushes, hoof pick, hoof oil, plaiting bands, fly spray Two buckets (drinking and washing)
Sweat scraper and large sponge A tank of water for horse washing/drinking Mucking out tools/skip bucket Horse and human first aid kit A travel step to stand on to tidy plaits/mount from
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Tack
Jump saddle (and dressage saddle if you use one) Bridle Stud girth Girth for jump saddle and girth for dressage saddle if applicable Breastplate or Martingale Range of Studs and Stud Kit White dressage saddle cloth (plus spare) White show jumping saddle cloth (plus spare)
Showjumping boots for horse Cross country boots for horse Cooler rug Lunge line if your horse requires a lunge before competing Tack cleaning kit for touch ups
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For the Rider Hairnet if applicable Show jumping jacket White shirt/blouse and tie or stock for dressage and showjumping A full change of clothes White breeches/ jodhpurs x 2 (in case you wish to change between phases) Riding gloves Number bib Spurs if you use these Dressage whip/jumping whip Fixed peak hat for showjumping (should be tagged at office at first event to comply with Eventing Ireland Hat Safety Rules – please see here for further information Hat Safety Rules) Skull cap for cross-country (as above - please see here for further information Hat Safety Rules) Body protector (for showjumping and cross-country) – please ensure your body protector conforms with the Eventing Ireland Body Protector Standards. Gloves for Dressage Cross-country colours for rider as under layer/hat silk for hat
Hay nets Electrolytes for horse if a hot day is forecast Plenty of snacks – it can be a long day and you will definitely need chocolate! Suntan lotion if sunny, welly boots for course walking if it’s wet Cash to buy coffee or a late afternoon snack from the catering vans at the event
PRESENTATION IS EVERYTHING
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The Day of the Event The big day has finally arrived! We have some tips to help you have a great first experience of eventing. Get there as early as possible. This will allow you to get parked and go and collect your number from the Eventing Ireland office.
You need to have your passport to hand in case you are required to show this as spot checks are carried out at every event. Your passport is important as it also provides Eventing Ireland with a vaccination record for your horse.
and fellow competitors of all levels. Don’t be afraid to ask if you need to borrow a stud spanner or for advice from a fellow competitor about how to jump a certain fence on your cross-country.
You can check the results throughout the day on the Events Page of the Eventing Ireland website which offers live scoring. But just be aware, our scorers have a mammoth task on the day, and there may be some lag before your scores appear. Please do not ask for individual scores from the scorers during the state size of rug, your name and pony’s All horses must be vaccinated against equine day. HavePlease patience as would they have tough job to name that your like onathe rug, should influenza and your vaccination record in your do and are you be the lucky winner often working under extreme passport must demonstrate that your horse or pressure! If, at the end of the day,you have a pony is properly covered. Full details about query about your score, you must report this to the Secretary’s Office. Once you have left vaccination requirements can be found in the event your score will stick. You can pick Section 17.2 of the Eventing Ireland Rule up your dressage sheets from the Secretary’s Book. office towards the end of the day to get all your comments and marks. Stick to your timings plan. Report in good time to the stewards at both dressage and Don’t forget about your equine partner in the show jumping. excitement of the day. Without them you would not be here. Make sure they have water Remember your tack changes so you are especially if it’s warm. Warmup and organised for each phase. Don’t forget you cooldown properly after each phase. Wash don’t wear a martingale or horse boots for dressage. You may want to put studs in your them down well after the cross-country and keep them walking around to avoid build-up horses shoes for all phases (if on grass and of lactic acid and allow them to cooldown depending on ground conditions) so leave sufficiently. Check their legs for any cuts and yourself time for this as it can be a fiddly treat accordingly. Don’t forget to heap them business! And you’ll need to change your with praise and maybe the odd carrot or two! clothes and hat for cross-country and also your horses boots. Always be polite to event officials, stewards Ask questions. One thing about the eventing and volunteers. A thank you goes a long way community is that we are a very friendly for many of these folk who give up hours and bunch and you will always get a helpful hours of their time to ensure you and your answer from stewards, volunteers, officials equine friend have the best day of sport. 25
ERQI
STARTING
ENCOURAGED
YOU MUST
COLOUR
TO DROP
DROP
DOWN A
DOWN A
LEVEL
LEVEL
ERQI is a ‘traffic light’ indicator system of risk, based on past performance in show jumping and cross country at National events and is designed to prevent horse falls. Basically, your horse or pony starts off on green but this ERQI rating reduces every time your horse or pony has a stop or a fall. If it reaches AMBER you are encouraged to think about dropping down a level to allow you to increase the rating. However, if the rating reaches RED, you cannot proceed at that level. If you were competing at EI100 level, you must drop down to EI 90. Likewise, if you were competing at EI 90 you must drop down to EI 80. If you were already competing at EI 80, you cannot compete again until you have undertaken additional training with your Instructor who must sign an ‘ERQI XC Competency’ Form to indicate that they are satisfied that you are competent to compete at that level again. This is designed to help keep you safe.
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Sometimes things don’t go to plan, even for the professional riders. If this is the case, don’t get demoralised but learn from what went wrong. Everyone has disappointing days and always remember that our precious four If you would like more information or nutritional advice for your pony contact
Judy Maxwell on 07885 065531
legged friends are not machines and, sometimes, they have an ‘off’ day too. There is always another day and another event to start planning for!
Remember to smile and have fun.
You’ve got this! You and your equine bestie have done the homework and if you stick to your timings and plan you will have a great day!
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To be the best, you must be able to handle the worst! Don’t forget to thank and reward your very
special 4 legged friend!
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The British Horse Society is a Registered Charity Nos.210504 and
We hope this Eventing Ireland Beginner’s Guide to Eventing helps you plan to reach your goal of taking part in your first Eventing Ireland event. We look forward to welcoming you into our eventing family in 2024 and helping you on your journey. Let’s do this……………
‘strap in, kick on and enjoy the ride!’
Does your pony deserve a tasty treat! 3 lucky readers will win a 750g bag of Baileys Tasty Treats for their
Useful Numbers
Dora – Northern Region Event Co Ordinator 07876758979 Head Office – Tricia 00353 45854545 30