The original Three Day Event was a
competition for
cavalry horse and
Army officers and was introduced to the
Olympics in 1912. The modern event became open to
civilians at the 1952 Olympics after
Britain had started horse trials at the
Duke of Beaufort's home,
Badminton. The modern format is based on the original exercises and covers three
equestrian disciplines.
Dressage on the first day parallels the
Parade ground. The horse must be
obedient,
graceful and
submissive, the rider
poised and
elegant.
Next Day -
Endurance Day - represents the
battlefield. Imagine an officer is given a
message to take to the front. Horse and rider
trot off (Phase A: Roads & Tracks 5km). Interrupted by an
enemy outrider they gallop away across the
hedgerows (Phase B: Steeplechase 3.5km). Out riding the enemy they ease into a
trot (Phase C: 2nd Roads & Tracks 9kms). Once on the battlefield, the horse and rider
gallop across the field,
jumping all in their way until the message is
delivered (Phase D: Cross Country 6kms).
The next morning the
horse is checked for its ability to carry on before taking a
short cut back to
base jumping the
fences on the way.
The test is complete. The winner will have achieved the journey with
grace,
speed,
stamina and
athleticism, establishing the horse and rider as a
trusting combination.
Current Three Day
Events are
classified according to their degree of difficulty and are awarded "
Stars", with 1 Star being the easiest, up to 4 Star being the most difficult.