3-Day Eventing For Your Rescue Horse
Having your rescue participate in 3-day eventing is rewarding for both horse and trainer. Not only that, but it actually aids in the overall rehabilitation process. Their rescuers often describe that rescue horses know they have been “rescued” as their situation changes. This is demonstrated by their change in attitude and willingness to respond to requests. A real human-horse partnership evolves during this process. It is this partnership that is critical in the horse’s recovery and can be a major contributor to their success in competition.
What is Eventing?
Eventing is a three-day competition that includes dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. It is a triathlon for horses with events measuring the skill, fitness, strength, and rider partnership.
- Dressage – Horses are judged on a sequence of movements designed to demonstrate balance, rhythm and suppleness. Most importantly, judges look at rider cues and how obedient the horse is.
- Cross-Country – Rider and horse must gallop through a timed course that consists of various obstacles. It is an event that requires skill and conditioning along with constant communication between rider and horse.
- Show Jumping – The final phase consists of 12-15 jumps over rails stacked at different heights. Any mistake where a horse hits the rails leads to point deduction.
Benefits of Rescue Participation in Eventing Competition
Eventing competitions for rescue horses serve as a tremendous bonding experience for both horse and rider. The gift of finding a “forever home” along with a new found purpose in competition is unparalleled. Horses once considered to be a “lost causes” or that may have problematic tendencies, can overcome these obstacles when given the chance. Their sense of purpose, confidence, and human trust can be restored through eventing. Once out of isolation and shown compassion, their true personalities come to the surface.
Rescue Horses Have a Purposes
Equis Save Foundation recognizes that rescue horses still serve a purpose and deserve life. Our goal behind the Rescue Recognition Program is to share this knowledge with the world. Unfortunately, many people are lead to believe that rescue horses are “damaged goods” and may no longer have value. However, rescue horses continue to prove otherwise through successful eventing competitions.
Rescue Recognition Program
Our goal at the Equis Save Foundation is to encourage the rescue and retraining of neglected and slaughter-bound horses. By offering high point rescue awards at open horse shows and competitions, we hope to make an impact. Eventing awards will be provided for each level of competition. Dressage provides an award for the high point average in the junior, adult amateur and professional levels.
The inaugural year of the of Equis Save’s Rescue Recognition Program (RRP) is underway. If you own a rescue horse and have been making greatest strides to improve its well-being through competition, we encourage you to register for an RRP number and review our list of approved horse shows on our general information page
