All you need to know about equestrian triathlon

According to the International Equestrian Federation, equestrian sports are divided into several types: show jumping, dressage, equestrian triathlon, horse racing, driving, vaulting and reining. The Olympic sports include dressage, triathlon and show jumping. The triathlon is one of the most difficult Olympic disciplines. What special features does it have?

General information

The triathlon is the most challenging Olympic equestrian sport that consists of three parts: dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. These competitions require riders to have extensive experience in all equestrian sports and knowledge of their horse’s capabilities.

The triathlon competitions take place over one to three days and come in the following categories – CCI (international competition), CIC (national competition), CCIO (official international competition) and CH (championships). In addition, competitions are differentiated by levels of training and experience. Levels are indicated by stars, with four stars being the highest level. A horse must be of impeccable health, courage and endurance to compete in the triathlon.

The rider participates on the same horse in all three events, so if two or more trials are held in one day, each horse must have at least a 30 minute break between them and a 45 minute break between the finish in cross country and the start in show jumping. One-day triathlon events consist of the same three phases, but the B and C segments are excluded from the field trials. On occasion, the triathlon may include a shortened program referred to as a double event.

All three stages of the triathlon are conducted by the rider on one horse only. If an animal goes off course, the rider is also eliminated from the competition. Only by riding the entire event in one tandem can the judges evaluate the training and qualifications of both the animal and the rider.

Competition: day 1

On the first day riders show their skills in dressage riding, the program includes natural horse movements and simple exercises such as counter gallop or settling.

Each exercise is evaluated on a ten-point system. The rider’s overall score is determined as follows: from the highest score possible in these events the sum of points a rider has gained is subtracted. Then the penalty points for mistakes and overdue time are added to the resulting difference. This gives a total sum of penalty points – the fewer the points, the better the rider has performed.

Competition: day 2

The next day is the cross-country. This is the most difficult part of the triathlon competition. The whole course consists of four sections (also referred to as phases) – A, B, C and D, each having a different start and finish. The segments called A and C are roads and trails; segment B is an equipped steeplechase course; segment D is a cross-country course.

Having taken the start on the segment A, the rider must pass field roads and paths by variable gaits, without exceeding the control time, otherwise he or she will get penalty points. The rider should calculate his/her progress so as not to come to the finish line well ahead of the time control, as he/she needs to conserve the horse’s strength for the cross.

The steeplechase should then be followed by a section of relatively flat ground. After the steeplechase, the rider starts in section C, and after finishing, prepares for the most difficult part of the test, i.e. the cross.

The cross-country race takes place over rough terrain. On average, for every kilometer of cross-country, there are four non-destructible obstacles. In addition, the length of the cross-country sometimes reaches 8 kilometers. Obstacles should be harmoniously integrated into the terrain, so that they look like its integral part. They are set on steep descents and climbs, around sharp turns, in ravines, in the water, etc.

Competition: day 3

On the last day of competition, there is an obstacle course (show jumping) competition. This is the final test of physical fitness of the triathlon horse and rider. It takes place on the show jumping field or in an enclosed riding arena, where there are easily mountable obstacles up to 120 cm high. If a horse hits them, they are destroyed.

The athlete must follow the sequence of overcoming obstacles. Penalty points are awarded for exceeding the control time, disobedience of the horse, destruction of obstacles, falling of the horse or rider. The winner of the triathlon is the jumper with the least penalty points over the three competition days.

Ammunition

Competitors may use the following ammunition while passing obstacles:

• Bridle (a piece of ammunition that is put on the horse’s head and makes it easier to control the horse).
• Mouthpiece (an iron bridle with a lifting bar at the palate, also used to make steering easier).
• Hackamore (a type of headband that consists of two leather straps running around the horse’s muzzle).
• Saddle.
• Saddle-blanket (a piece of harness, which is placed under the saddle and serves to absorb sweat and protect the back of the horse from damage).
• Girth (a device for holding the saddle).

History

This sport appeared as a way to test formation horses: dressage riding showed how ready they were to participate in parades, cross-country tested their ability to overcome any terrain during the battles with the enemy, and overcoming obstacles proved that after the battle the horse remained in good shape and was ready for further testing.

The triathlon appeared in the Olympic program in 1912. At that time, it was a sport exclusively for the military. However, thanks to international military competitions, over time it spread from country to country, and after 1924 interest in it appeared among civilian riders as well.

The triathlon is the most comprehensive combined competition, that requires athletes to have considerable experience in all equestrian sports and a clear understanding of their horse’s capabilities. The horse must have the appropriate level of training resulting from intelligent and consistent training.