Cross Country riding is usually held on the second day of Three Day events; these events include cross country, dressage and show jumping. Competitors have to use different riding styles on each one of the three days. Spectators get to see a glorious demonstration of the skill, suppleness and endurance need by both horse and rider to enable them to compete, and in the case of the fortunate few, win.
Cross Country is an enormous test of the heart, speed and stamina, as also of the training and conditioning of each participator; taking both rider and pony at very high speed over terrain that is ‘natural’, with hills, dips, water and obstacles made of fallen trees and tons of debris. These obstacles are different to the light rails of show jumping, because they do not have much ‘give’ that means they do not collapse on impact, and can hence cause physical harm. So the Cross Country is the hardest and possibly hazardous element of 3 Day Events. As a spectator sport, the Cross Country is a big hit, because spectators get to see riders and horses compete in the fastest and most exciting riding of the whole event.
Traditionally, Cross Country historically had 4 segments, each timed individually. The first and 3rd (A and C) segments were known as Roads & Tracks. The second part (B) was a Steeplechase. The fourth (D) segment was the genuine Cross Country, and made for the most difficult segment. Part A was a warm up segment and part C was a recovery segment. Some events made it mandatory for horses that had finished segment C to be comprehensively checked by vets to make sure they were fit enough to resume. Though the segments were timed, it was expected that competitors would give priority to faultlessness of ride over speed. Riders went through segment B and segment D at a gallop. In most modern events, segments A to C have been dropped, and only D is retained. Few modern events still utilize a 4-segment format.
Cross Country courses feature several sorts of jumps, including some almost four feet in height and 12 feet in width. The jump variations include log fences (rail fences featuring logs); triangle fences (also called ‘tiger traps’); the trahkener (consisting of a rail spanning a broad ditch); and table fences (with a level surface on the top). Jumps are laid out in order that they seem to be a natural component of the surrounding landscape, though in some courses a touch of some bright color or some weird, unnatural object will be thrown in to test the mettle of the horse.
Flags posted at appropriate points along the riders, trail indicate the direction riders need to take. As a part of preparation, it is best that riders walk over the course twice times before really riding it. This way, they can judge the jumps and other parts of the course. They can also make an evaluation of the footing (ground conditions). It is generally a safe policy to never ride a course hard without first walking it.
Just to summarise, I recall the guidance of one writer, who said that Cross Country can be an exciting, fun sport that’s definitely not for the faint of heart or the unfit. Each rider should work a pony which has superb coordination with her or him. The rider and their horse should have perfect rapport. Riders must be capable of riding over exceedingly long stretches before they can even think of checking out cross country circuits. Cross country riding can be a most rewarding, exhilarating experience for folks who have got the courage and the talent to master it.
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