Recognized Events

South Farm Horse Trials

Entry forms - go to the USEA web site

Event Pictures

August 2006 Times

A horse trial takes place over two days, and involves three distinct phases or tests, with varying degrees of difficulty, depending on the level the competitor signs up for. Taken as a whole, these three phases portray the ability, versatility, and preparedness of horse and rider.  Penalty points are record for the three test, resulting in a combined score for the whole trail, thus eventing’s synonym, combined training. The horse and rider combination with the lowest score wins.

Dressage is the first test and involves a series of prescribed classical movements performed on the flat in an enclosed arena.  The judges look for supple, balanced and lively ride.  The test varies in difficulty as the levels go up, and the riders will be asked to do movements that match their level of ability. The test is memorized and the riders are not allowed to be coached during their test.

Cross Country is the second test of the horse trial, and done the same day as the dressage test. This crucial second test is the heart of the sport.  Horse and rider gallop over natural terrain, jumping a variety of fixed obstacles along the way.  The riders inspect the coarse prior to riding, however the horses are seeing the fences for the first time when the test begins. This discipline demands the highest level of trust between horse and rider.

Show Jumping is the third and last test done during the course of the horse trial. Horse and rider navigate a course of jumps made of rails; usually very brightly painted in an enclosed area. This last test done the second day of the horse trail. not only tests obedience and suppleness, but test the horses stamina and fitness after the difficult rigors of the first day of the horse trials.

The show jumping test is followed by an awards ceremony and victory gallop.  As each team of horse and rider enters the arena to ride their jumping test, scores are announced, and as the pairs compete in the reverse order of placing, the divisions can be competitive and quite exciting.

Something about different levels

    Eventing offers levels suited to the skills of all competitors, from the recreational rider to the expert with Olympic goals in sight.

    Over 75% of USCTA members compete at beginner novice, novice and training levels.  These levels are straightforward, moderate, and designed for the horse and rider team to have a very positive experience. At the preliminary level, the challenge broadens.  From the intricate movements in the dressage test, to the combinations of obstacles and much faster speeds, these horse and rider teams must work very hard to achieve success at this level.

Beginner Novice:

    Beginner novice is designed to introduce the green horse or rider to the sport.  The dressage test is the most basic, cross-country is straight forward and does not include combinations, bullfinches, ditches, banks and water is optional. The length of the course is shortened and the speed run is between 300 to 350 meters per minute.  The maximum heights of obstacles are 2’7’’.

Open Novice:

    Open Novice is a very straightforward level, with a dressage test that includes walk, trot and canter. and some demonstration of suppleness.  The cross-country test is designed to be extremely straightforward to the horse and rider. Obstacles max out at 2’11”, and may include banks, water, ditches, and combinations. This level is designed to give the horse and rider a positive experience.

Open Training:

    Open Training is designed to challenge the horse an rider with the introduction of more combinations and the obstacles are meant to be jumped from 400 to 450 meters per minute.  The dressage test begins to add lengthening to both the trot and canter to imply that the rider should be able to lengthen and shorten the stride.  Suppleness is still a critical element to the dressage test, and will be useful in the stadium jumping to allow the team to navigate more difficult combinations.

Open Preliminary:

    Open Preliminary increases the challenge between horse and rider.  The dressage test includes intricate movements from classical dressage that include leg yields, medium trot, medium, canter, ten meter canter circles and change of rein. The cross-country  test is ridden at a much higher pace, and the level of difficulty with combinations also increases.  Preliminary level starts to ask questions to horse and rider that cannot be understood without a solid foundation and serious level of trust.

    Spectators are very welcome to come to either of the South Farm Horse Trials and watch. With a course designed for spectators, one can stand in one spot and see almost the entire cross-country course. Sunday, our Show Jumping, brings many of our Amish neighbors over to watch the competition, sport and eloquence.  We provide some seating and much entertainment.  Food and public restrooms available both days. Horse trials are a fun outdoor experience for all.

    Volunteers: Although we have many volunteers that  return year after year, we are always in need of more help. Jump Judges that are stationed at each cross-country obstacle, they are the backbone of the horse trial. With out our Jump Judges we could not host one of the finest horse Trials in the area. Anyone can jump judge, you don’t have to know anything about horses, you just need to be able to write and watch horses. After a briefing, that takes about 45 minutes, we send our jump judges out to their fence. We bring our judges a lunch and cola; we also supply you with a hat or T-shirt. If you are interested in volunteering, call Sarah at (440)632-5501. Sign up and we will teach you a new skill.

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