Equestrian cross-country, as an independent sport, is extremely rare. As a rule, it is part of the equestrian triathlon, namely its second stage. Cross-country is the overcoming of natural obstacles in a natural environment – ascents, descents, small rivers, ditches, earth embankments, fallen trees, logs, hedges, etc. As a separate discipline it is known as “cross-country” which competitions have local character and are not represented at federal or international level.
The length of the cross-country course is about 6 km. There are 24 to 36 obstacles on it. They can be natural or built in such a way that their appearance is as close to the natural as possible. For their arrangement we use logs, ditches, branches, trees, bushes, water.
All obstacles on the route are marked in a special way. Two flags are used for this purpose: a red flag is placed on the right side of the obstacle and a white one on the left. On red flag there may be a black stripe that means a rider may choose a different route around this obstacle and there will be no penalty. But it will be more time consuming.
The complexity of obstacles is achieved not by their height (maximum allowed – 1200 cm) but by their location, consistency and other features of the terrain design. All obstacles on the route, unlike courses for show jumping, are not destroyed when the horse touches them. They are called “dead”.
Each obstacle has a number marked with a color. The color of the marking indicates the level of the obstacle. The levels compete with each other. All obstacles and their levels are presented on a route map, which all riders should study before starting the race and also check during the race.
The equestrian crossing takes place outdoors, and the terrain includes both field and wooded terrain. A new terrain is chosen for each race, so the equestrian triathlon always takes place in different regions and even different parts of the globe.
As it was already said, natural obstacles on the route are supplemented by artificial ones, which are as close to natural as possible. This is done by designers. Their task – to organize obstacles so that a less experienced pair (horse + rider) on the lower levels could be prepared to overcome more difficult obstacles. Or on the contrary, to make it more difficult to take this or that obstacle for more professional competitors. For example experienced planners often place an obstacle on the side of a hill or on top of an earthen berm so that the horse cannot see in advance where he is jumping. A fence may also be placed in front of the beginning of a wooded area for the same purpose.
Terrain design is done correctly if obstacles are incorporated into the landscape in such a way that they appear to have been created by nature itself. They must also be placed so that the horse can escape when the rider makes a mistake.
Competition Rules
The equestrian crossing begins with the rider on the horse in a special starting box. The countdown begins, during which the pair is not allowed to go to the front of the box. Then the start signal is given and the participants get in motion.
The first obstacles on the course are usually easy. They allow the horse and rider to gain confidence and gain the necessary speed. They are galloping. Gradually the level of fences increases and ditches, banks etc. appear. Both of them require more technique from the pair and the rider’s correct work is especially important here. As a rule, pre-finish obstacles are a bit lighter allowing the competitors to develop the required pace before the end of the race to determine the winner.
Criteria for evaluating the results are the time of overcoming the distance, the levels of obstacles taken, as well as the number of penalty points accrued.
Penalties are imposed in the following cases:
Disobedience of the horse (1st refusal to take an obstacle – 20 points, 2nd – 40 points, 3rd – disqualification of the pair). If the height of an obstacle does not exceed 30 cm, the horse is allowed to jump from the spot. In all other cases, stopping in front of an obstacle is considered a refusal. A horse may also take a step to the side and a step backwards is regarded as a refusal to take the obstacle.
If an obstacle is overcome out of order, it is deemed to be a disqualification.
Jumping over the fence in the wrong direction as indicated in the movement diagram – disqualification.
Falling from a horse – disqualification. Rushing from a horse is permitted at any time on the course, but it must not be related to taking an obstacle.
Exceeding the time limit on the course – 0.4 penalty points for each additional second. Exceeding the limit by 2 times entails disqualification from the competition.