The Grand Slam
There are many high caliber international events held thought out each year, but there is a particular competition which gets a lot of attention. This competition is called the ‘Grand Slam’ and consists of three individual events. It is sponsored by Rolex.
The aim for the participant is to win each individual competition and to therefore be crowned with the ‘Grand Slam’ title. The ‘Grand Slam’ consists of three events which are chosen as the worlds leading CCI**** events. To win the competition it is not necessary for the rider to have the same horse in each of the three competitions.
The competitions are held at the Rolex Kentucky 3DE, Badminton horse trials and Burghley horse trials.
The competition began in 1999 and is still going on these days. There has been only one winner. Pippa Funnell from Great Britain managed to achieve the winning place in all three events in the year 2006 making her to this day, the only winner of the ‘Grand Slam’. This is seen as a massive achievement.
Pippa Funnell
Image Credit to:
http://www.horseandcountry.tv/news/2012/09/07/pippa-funnell-out-action-following-falThe Grand Slam
Friday, 27 March 2015
Friday, 20 March 2015
Modern International Eventing
When eventing was first brought into the world of the equine
sports it was only the Calvary who were able to partake in the competitions.
These days it is open for anyone. Various One Day Events (ODE) and Three Day
Events (3DE) are held nationally and internationally.
Eventing has gained in popularity through the years and now
takes up a huge part in the Equine calendar. Although eventing was first
designed as a test for the cavalry it is now seen as a competition within which
any horse and rider combination can take part.
The phases are the same. Dressage first then Cross-country
and Jumping. The Dressage phase in the international 3DE competitions are
performed in an enclosed arena with the dimensions being 20mX60m. The
horse/rider combination will execute a certain set of advanced movements and
will therefore be marked according to their performance.
The Cross-country phase which in a 3DE is held on the second
day is timed. The aim is to go through the start and finish in the shortest
time possible whilst clearing every obstacle. There can be anywhere between 20
to 40 obstacles in a course and they will be of slightly varied heights/widths and will challenge different aspects of the horse/rider combination
performance.
The Show jumping phase held on the last day is a challenge
of a different kind. The Jumping incorporates aspects of both previous phases
for example the balance and flexibility of Dressage and the Stamina and agility
of the Cross-country phase.
The horse/rider combination must complete a series of fences
making sure to keep them all upright i.e., not altering the height of the
original fence.
Credit to:
Thursday, 19 March 2015
Beginning of Eventing
Eventing was initially designed for the Cavalry, it was to
test the ability and endurance of the Officers’ chargers. There are three
phases to this competition. Dressage, Cross-Country and Show Jumping.
1936 Olympic
Credit to:
EN Eventing Nation.
The Dressage phase which is held first in the competition was originally made to showcase the suppleness, beauty and submissive behaviour of the mounts. This was deemed important because it would be necessary for them to follow instruction when partaking in parades.
The Cross-country phase was a test of the animal’s endurance
and stamina. It would be a long course filled with fences and natural banks and
ditches over rough terrain. This was said to increase or test the horse’s
capability whilst carrying the officers during a charge and would also improve
their overall fitness and courage.
The Show Jumping phase was introduced so as to make sure the
horses would remain sound throughout the duration of their work and after the
Cross-country phase. It tested their agility and technique.
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