Avoid disappointing your customers with dull action shots during your next Eventing assignment. Knowing how each Eventing stage is performed will help you set up in the right place to capture captivating action.
surroundedmedia.com gathered crucial information about Eventing (defining competition moments, professional videography tips, and valuable insight) to assemble expert highlight reels and exciting competition footage for your clients.
Eventing History
Eventing began as a military assessment for cavalry mounts and riders. Originating in early 20th-century Europe, it tested a horse's versatility, bravery, and reliability under varied conditions. The discipline became part of the Olympic competition in 1912, showcasing the skills required for mounted warfare. Though rooted in military tradition, Eventing has evolved into a civilian sport practiced worldwide, drawing riders from amateur levels to elite international circuits.
In the modern era, Eventing remains one of the most respected disciplines in equestrian sport, often seen as the ultimate measure of horsemanship. Riders must train horses to excel in three separate environments - each requiring a different set of skills and conditioning.
What is Eventing?
Eventing is one of the most demanding and prestigious disciplines in equestrian sport. Often referred to as the "equestrian triathlon," Eventing combines precision, athleticism, and endurance across three distinct phases.
Eventing consists of three phases (dressage, cross-country, and show jumping) held over one to three days. The sport demands physical fitness, technical skill, courage, and trust. Horses must shift gears between elegance, boldness, and careful agility. Riders must manage stamina and strategy, adapting to each challenge while preserving the horse’s soundness and confidence.
Eventing is fiercely competitive at every level - from local schooling shows to prestigious competitions like Badminton Horse Trials and Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. Placings are determined by penalty points across all three phases, with the lowest total score winning.
The Three Phases of Eventing
1. Dressage
Dressage begins the competition, showcasing control, grace, and harmony between horse and rider. Movements must be precise, fluid, and balanced. Horses perform a set test, including circles, lateral work, and transitions. Judges score each movement individually, assessing rhythm, impulsion, and obedience.
For many, dressage sets the tone for the entire event. A strong performance here provides a solid foundation, while mistakes can leave a rider playing catch-up.
Watch this video to see a stunning dressage performance.
2. Cross-Country
This high-adrenaline phase tests endurance, speed, and bravery. Horse and rider gallop over natural terrain and navigate solid obstacles like ditches, banks, water complexes, and logs. A time penalty is issued for exceeding optimal time or for obstacle refusals.
Cross-country is often the most thrilling phase for both spectators and competitors. It demands boldness and precision, with challenges designed to mimic what a horse might encounter in the wild.
Watch this video to see how the cross-country event is played out.
3. Show Jumping
The final phase emphasizes carefulness and technique. Horses must clear lightweight fences in an enclosed arena within a set time. After the physical exertion of cross-country, riders must keep horses focused and accurate to avoid knockdowns or time faults.
This phase often determines final placings and adds intense pressure, especially when scores are close.
Watch this video to see an amazing jumping round.
Read more about Eventing rules HERE.
Eventing Videography
For videographers, Eventing offers an exceptional opportunity to capture emotion, power, and beauty in motion. Each phase presents distinct challenges and visually engaging moments. Highlight reels should reflect the story of the partnership - grace under pressure, the thrill of the chase, and elegance in motion.
Key Footage for Highlight Reels:
Dressage: Close-ups of extended trot, flying changes, halt and salute. Slow-motion captures of rhythm and cadence add a cinematic touch.
Cross-Country: Wide angles of galloping stretches, dramatic jumps into the water, tight shots over large solid fences. Aerial drone footage of galloping through open fields enhances production value.
Show Jumping: Multiple camera angles of combinations, oxers, and final fences. Facial expressions of riders at critical moments add emotional depth.
Additional Moments to Film:
- Tacking up and warm-ups
- Rider-horse bonding moments at rest
- Reactions at finish lines or after key rides
- Award ceremonies and behind-the-scenes interviews
Videographers should work closely with riders or trainers to understand which movements or efforts meant the most to them, creating custom edits that reflect individual journeys.
Key Considerations for Eventing
Eventing requires planning, preparation, and attention to detail. Success relies not only on talent but also on thoughtful care and strategic choices. Whether you are a rider, trainer, or videographer, the following points are essential:
Fitness Matters: Conditioning for both horse and rider is critical. Long gallops, hill work, and interval training build the stamina needed for cross-country. Riders must also maintain core strength and balance for technical phases.
Course Familiarity: Walking each course, especially cross-country, allows riders to visualize strides, assess footing, and develop a riding strategy. Riders often walk the course multiple times to memorize routes and determine pace.
Tack and Equipment: All gear must be in top condition. Faulty tack can end a ride early. Riders need phase-appropriate equipment - snaffle bits and dressage saddles for flatwork, safety stirrups, and jump saddles for cross-country.
Safety First: Cross-country is inherently dangerous. Body protectors and approved helmets are required. Courses are now designed with frangible technology to reduce injuries during falls.
Mental Preparation: Focus and confidence influence results. Riders often work with sports psychologists or engage in visualization exercises to manage nerves and stay present throughout each phase.
Whether preparing for a local one-day event or an international three-day trial, these considerations make a difference in both safety and performance.
Eventing - An Equestrian Triathlon
In this article, you discovered crucial Eventing information, defining competition moments, and professional videography tips to assemble expert highlight reels and exciting footage for your clients.
Capturing stunning footage during an Eventing competition requires:
- Technical skill
- An understanding of the sport and event nuances
- And the bond between rider and horse.
Failure to understand Eventing components and what action shots to capture will result in incoherent footage unsuitable for creating a presentable highlight reel.
Sources:
usef.org/compete/disciplines/Eventing
htnb.org/whatisEventing
Video Credit:
Dressage - FEI
Cross-Country - Adelaide Equestrian Festival
Show Jumping - FEI