There are three elements to equestrianism events: three-day event, showjumping and dressage. Each of those has an individual and a team event,
but men and women compete together on equal terms, leaving the number of
titles to be won at six.
The three-day event consists of dressage, an endurance section (including
cross country) and showjumping. The cross country element has four stages:
short road and tracks, which in Sydney will cover 4.4 kilometres and allows horses
to warm up; a steeplechase just over 3 kilometres long and covering between eight and ten
fences; long road and tracks covering around 7 kilometres; cross-country, which
requires riders and horses to jump various obstacles, including a water
jump, over a distance just shy of 8 kilometres.
The dressage arena is 60 metres by 20 metres and has a sandy surface. The edge is
dotted with 12 lettered markers which act as reference points for certain
movements that riders must oblige their horses to perform. Five judges sit
around the arena to mark competitors.
The jumping arena is 120 metres by 80 metres and jumps must be no higher than 1.7 metres,
with water jumps no longer than 4.5 metres. There are five types of jump:
verticals (gates and fences), spreads (triple bars), combinations
(obstancles close together), walls (not real brick) and water jumps.
Riders must wear formal dress. Dressage riders must wear top
hats and tails, while men must wear white breeches and women
white or light fawn breeches. All must wear black boots. Military personnel
may wear their uniforms. Hard hats are compulsory in the cross-country and
jumping events.
Penalties during competition include:
4 for knocking down an obstacle
3 for the first time a horse baulks at a jump
6 for the second time a horse baulks at a jump
Elimination for the third time a horse baulks at a jump
4 for allowing the foot to enter the water at a jump
8 for the first time a rider falls off
Elimination for the second time a rider falls off
3 for refusing a jump the first time
6 for a second refusal
Elimination for a third refusal.
