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Dimensions for Equestrian

Equestrian is the only Olympic sport where riders and their horses are established teammates and one of the few where men and women compete on equal terms.

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The information in this guide is general in nature and cannot be relied upon as professional advice concerning the design of, or marking out for, sporting facilities and playing areas. No assurance is given as to the accuracy of any information contained in this guide and readers should not rely on its accuracy. Readers should obtain their own independent and professional advice in relation to their proposed sporting activity.

Equestrian is the only Olympic sport where riders and their horses are established teammates and one of the few where men and women compete on equal terms. Equestrian events are competitive events for horse and rider designed to test the horse’s development and training, its jumping ability and the all-round ability of horse and rider.

There are three disciplines in the equestrian event recognised worldwide. They are dressage, jumping and eventing (three-day event) with an individual and team event in each, making six events in total.

Dressage

Dressage is a sort of ballet on horseback in which the rider guides the horse to perform the intricate manoeuvres of stepping. The scoring is done by judges who evaluate how well the horse executes the moves.Dressage arena

Competitors carry out official tests incorporating a variety of paces, halts, changes of directions, movements and figures. The competition arena is a level area measuring 60m x 20m. There is a 15m clear space between the arena and the public. In indoor arenas, there is a minimum distance of 3m. There is a low fence 0.3m high. The arena must be positioned where the judges are not facing the sun.

The standard dressage arena letters are A-K-V-E-S-H-C-M-R-B-P-F. The letters on the long sides of the arena nearest the corners are 6m in from the corners and are 12m apart from each other. The letters in the middle of the arena are D-L-X-I-G, with X marking the centre.

At the start of the test, the horse enters at A. There is always a judge sitting at C (although for upper-level competition, there are up to five judges at different places around the arena).

The dressage arena also has a centreline (from A to C, going through X in the middle), as well as two quarter-lines (halfway between the centreline and long sides of each arena). The letters placed around the arena are clearly visible and placed about 0.5m outside the arena fence.

Jumping

Jumping consists of negotiating a series of obstacles with the goal being to not disturb the fences or incur any time penalties. In competitions, horse and rider are required to complete a course of 10 to 13 jumps to test skill, accuracy and training.

The arena must be enclosed. When a horse is in the arena during competition, all entrances and exits must be physically closed. An indoor competition arena must have a minimum size of 1200m² with a minimum width on the short side of 20m. An outdoor competition arena must have a minimum size of 4000m² with a minimum width on the short side of 50m.

The jumping course is laid out by an accredited course designer and comprises between 10 and 13 removable timer obstacles. They are in the form of barriers, fences, gates and balustrades. There are five types of obstacles — verticals, spreads, combinations, water jumps and walls. The jumps are no higher than 1.7m and water jumps no longer than 4.5m. The obstacle must be a spread obstacle not exceeding 1.4m in height and 1.6m in spread or a vertical obstacle not exceeding 1.4m in height.

Details of jumps are as follows (1.6m is the maximum height):

  • oxer — two fences (1.6m) to create a spread (2m) between the fences
  • water jump — fence with a hedge on the leading edge of a ditch of water (4.5m long including take-off). The water must have a minimum spread of 2.5m. If the bottom of the water jump is made of concrete or hard material, it should be covered with a softer material such as a coconut or rubber mat
  • gate — vertical fence (1.6m) made to appear solid by using planks, gates, brush or balustrades
  • wall — solid looking vertical fence (1.6m) with solid blocks on top that can be dislodged
  • vertical — single straight up-and-down fence (1.6m)
  • triple bar — three fences of graduated height (1.6m) to create a wide spread (2.2m)

Lighting

Illumination is provided to enable the safe movement of both horse and rider appropriate to the standard of participation. The actions of both must be clearly seen by spectators, riders, officials and trainers. The lighting installation should provide even illumination over the total floor area. Shadows must be avoided as these may cause horses to shy.

The eye level of a rider is typically between 2m and 2.5m above ground level and may significantly increase when jumps are taken. This must be considered when determining a suitable mounting height for lights. Glare to both horse and rider are limited as much as possible. The main course direction for show jumping and dressage will be along or diagonally across the principle arena axis. In an outdoor arena, a side-lighting installation will provide the least glare towards participants.

Suggested lighting levels for equestrian events:

  Show jumping Dressage
Indoor arena    
Practice and training 400 lux 300 lux
Competition 400 lux 500 lux
     
Outdoor arena    
Practice and training 150 lux 200 lux
Competition 300 lux 200 lux

Eventing

Eventing is the most complete combined competition discipline where men and women compete as equals in both individual and team events. It demands of the competitor considerable experience in all branches of equestrian and a precise knowledge of the horse’s ability and of the horse a degree of competence resulting from intelligent and rational training.

Eventing consists of three distinct disciplines that take place on separate days. Each of the three disciplines are designed to test the horse’s ability. Dressage shows how trainable the horse is and its basic paces in walk, trot and canter. The cross-country tests stamina, speed, jumping and bravery while the show jumping shows athleticism, control and accuracy.

The first day is dressage phase. It is similar to regular dressage competition, but not quite as demanding.

The second day is the cross-country event. The objective is to prove the speed, endurance and jumping ability of the horse, while at the same time demonstrating the rider’s knowledge of pace and the use of the rider’s horse.

A typical cross-country course comprises four stages — roads and tracks (a few miles at an intermediate speed), steeplechase (high-speed jumping), a second, longer section of roads and tracks and cross-country (several miles over natural terrain at a fast speed). The goal is to complete each of the four stages in the time allotted.

On the third day, the show-jumping course tests whether a horse can continue after the endurance competition. The goal is to jump and clear hurdles without faults.

 
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