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TROT: 3 Day Eventing and Combined Training Association

Welcome to the T3EA and TCTA! I'm the owner, Tamara. For more information about the sport of 3-day Eventing and Combined Training, how to register, approve and show information, please choose on of the sections below:

What is Eventing?
What is Combined Training?
The tests
The levels and rules
Register
Registered horses
Approval Programs
Events!

What Is Eventing?

Our sport could be termed an "equestrian triathlon". It involves working with your horse both on the flat and over jumps. Over the centuries it has developed from the tests for the ideal military charger. Today, the sport is most known for its cross-country phase where horse and rider gallop over an outside course of solid obstacles which the horse has never seen before. At the highest level of competition, Olympic or World Championships, the endurance day consists of Phase A - Roads and Tracks, approximately three and a half miles of walk and trot as a warm-up; Phase B - Steeplechase approximately two and one-eighth miles at a gallop over eight or so steeplechase fences; Phase C - more Roads and Tracks approximately seven miles of walk and trot as a cool down from steeplechase, and Phase D - the Cross-Country approximately five miles at a gallop over a maximum of fourty-five obstacles that can be up to four feet high and ten feet wide (at the base). The horse's speed on this phase is over twenty miles per hour.

What Is Combined Training?

Combined Training is very similar to Evening: over three days horses and compete in three phases: Dressage, Cross Country and Show Jumping, in that order. The difference is that during the endurance phase, there are no Roads and Tracks or Steeplechase. Taken as a whole, these phases portray the ability, versatility, and preparedness of horse and rider. Penalty points are recorded and then totalled for the three tests, resulting in a combined score for the whole trial--thus eventing's synonym, combined training. The lowest score wins.

The Tests

Dressage. The first test of horse and rider involves a series of prescribed classical movements performed on the flat in an enclosed arena. The judges look for a supple, balanced, and lively yet relaxed ride. As in figure skating, both precision of individual movements and overall impression enter into the scoring formula.
Endurance. At the most advanced levels: Phase A - Roads and Tracks, approximately three and a half miles of walk and trot as a warm-up; Phase B - Steeplechase approximately two one-eighth miles at a gallop over eight or so steeplechase fences; Phase C - more Roads and Tracks approximately seven miles of walk and trot as a cool down from steeplechase, and Phase D - the Cross-Country approximately five miles at a gallop over a maximum of fourty-five obstacles that can be up to four feet high and ten feet wide (at the base). The horse's speed on this phase is over twenty miles per hour. At the beginning levels, the endurance phase consists of only Cross Country.
Show Jumping. In this phase, horse and rider jump a series of painted fences in an enclosed arena. Show jumping tests the obedience and suppleness of the horse and demonstrates that sufficient stamina and fitness still remain after the strenuous demands of cross-country. In a horse trial, show jumping may be scheduled before cross-country; whatever the sequence, this phase completes the breadth of testing in the eventing triathalon.

The Levels and Rules

There are five levels from novice through advanced, each one designed to prepare horse and rider for the next level, though there is no requirement to advance any higher than is comfortable for horse or rider.

Beginners compete the novice and training levels, which are designed to introduce the sport to the first-time competitor. By offering straightforward dressage tests and moderate jumps, both levels are designed to be within the reach of all would-be eventers willing to train appropriately. At the novice level, the lowest level, the endurance phase consists of the cross-country only and is run at a steady canter for approximately one and a half miles, over approximately fifteen obstacles that are no larger than 2'11" high and 4'7" wide (at the base).
At the preliminary level, the challenge broadens with more intricate dressage movements and technical problems of speed and distance between fences.
Eventing's top two levels, intermediate and advanced, are not for the faint of heart, since competition becomes progressively more difficult. Complex dressage movements require more suppleness and strength. Cross-country courses are negotiated at greater speed over bigger, technically more searching obstacles. Show jumping fences grow higher and wider, and are arranged in more athletically demanding combinations. Riders must qualify for these upper levels by winning points at the preliminary level, and minimum age restrictions for horses apply.

The Rules

1. To compete at the Novice level, horses must be at least 4 years of age.
2. To compete at the Intermediate level, horses must be at least 6 years of age.
3. To compete at the Advanced leve, horses must be at least 7 years of age.
4. Horses must pass vet exams before, during and after competition to be allowed to compete.
5. Judges decisions are final.
6. Please respect the judges, competitors and horses at all times.
7. No horse abuse will be tolerated (including physical, drug abuse and overuse).
8. Neglecting to abide by the rules may result in termination of your registry.

**Keep in mind: the three-day event is not a competition to be taken lightly! Horse and rider must both be ready physically and mentally for the challenges presented here. Throughout the competition, every horse must pass a series of veterinary inspections to monitor the horse's health, soundness, and ability to safely complete the competition. But the conditioning, training, and thorough preparation pay off when, at the close of the third day, all three days have been successfully completed. **

To Register

If you were previously registered with the T3EA, all I need it your name, barn, email and your horse's name. If you would like to register a new horse, please fill out the form below:

Events!

A series of events will be held. Each series will be three events and a high point horse will be announced at the end of each series for each level.

*Please Note: T3EA and TCTA events, series and high point placings will be completely separate!**

Take a look at the results from the first T3EA Series here

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