Frequently Asked Questions
What's the point of Express Eventing?
Express Eventing has been developed as a showcase for eventing. We want to introduce more people to this exciting sport by creating a competition that will appeal as much to newcomers to eventing as to its most ardent followers. But we also want to give greater recognition to eventing's foremost competitors by providing an elite competition where the very best compete head to head in the fierce and intense atmosphere of a sporting amphitheatre.
How does this relate to traditional eventing?
Express Eventing combines all the skill and excitement of traditional eventing, but in a more compact format. It is entirely complementary to traditional eventing.
Why do we need a new format for the sport?
Eventing is a triathlon sport, which is why it is such an extraordinary test of horse and rider. But that means it has three different sets of rules, techniques and scoring systems, which can be challenging, even for the most enthusiastic spectator. It also makes for quite long competitions, which can be off-putting to the newcomer. At the pinnacle of the sport, the three day event, the competition lasts up to five days, which means that only the most committed will follow the progress of riders from start to finish. Express Eventing enables you to see all the action in just half a day, to experience world class competition and to come away with a very good understanding of the three eventing disciplines.
Who is it aimed at?
Express Eventing is aimed at everyone with an interest in sport or equestrianism. For devotees of eventing, it's a chance to see top riders from across the world in a dramatic arena challenge and, for the first time, to watch their every manoeuvre at every stage of the competition. For those new to the sport, Express Eventing will provide a unique and exciting introduction to the three eventing disciplines, helped by expert commentary, interviews and graphic explanations of everything that’s going on in the arena.
What is the International Cup?
The International Cup is the inaugural Express Eventing competition, which is being held at the Millennium Stadium on 30 November 2008. Twenty of the world's top riders will be competing for the sport's largest prize fund of £250,000, with a first prize of £100,000. The competition will also be establishing the future format for Express Eventing.
How do riders qualify?
We have used the FEI rider rankings and past rider performances to determine who should be invited to the inaugural competition. The 20 places were allocated on the following basis: two riders from Germany, France, United States, Australia and New Zealand; four riders from the host nation, Great Britain; two wild cards from Western Europe and two from 'rest of world', with the remaining two places offered to World, Olympic and European Champions.
How does the new scoring system work?
A scoring system that everyone can follow is an important feature of Express Eventing and we will be taking full advantage of the stadium technology to keep everyone in the picture. Spectators will know exactly how each rider is doing at each stage of the competition and how much he or she needs to do to win. In the dressage phase, the five judges will each deliver a single score at the end of the test. These scores will then be converted to time penalties ahead of the jumping phase. In the combined show jumping and cross-country, all faults will be scored as seconds added to the rider's time. The winner of the International Cup will therefore be the rider crossing the finishing line with the lowest time.
How will the cross-country course differ from a traditional course?
The Express Eventing course will look very similar to a traditional outdoor course, with water complexes, banks, ditches and hedges. There will be approximately 24 jumps over a course 1500 metres, so riders will need to be very switched on to avoid simple run-outs. Our trials of the course have demonstrated that there is room to gallop and that riders are able to get into a good rhythm. Tight turns and twisty lines have been avoided.
Why have you combined the show jumping and cross-country phases?
By having riders go straight from the show jumping into the cross-country, we have been able to condense the time it takes to complete these two phases. A timed, 'pit stop' tack change separate the two courses, which have been designed to require very different styles of riding.
How will the 'pit-stop' tack change work?
Riders will enter the 'pit stop' area as soon as they complete the show jumping. Here they will change clothing and tack before heading straight to the cross-country. The 'pit stop' will be timed, with the quickest riders gaining the advantage. Rather like a pit stop in Formula One motor racing, this will be a high pressure area in full view of spectators, where riders, grooms and support staff will need a well-rehearsed strategy and be able to work together as a team. Stewards and vets will be on hand to ensure compliance with the sport's high safety standards.
What's the format for the dressage test?
Riders will perform a four-minute 'freestyle' dressage test, set to their own choice of music. There will be a list of compulsory movements and some optional ones. The test will be assessed by judges: two for technical correctness and paces, one for overall impression, another for use of the arena and inventiveness, and the fifth for the successful interpretation of the chosen music. The judges will be drawn largely from the FEI list of International Dressage Judges.
Why did you choose the Millennium Stadium?
The Millennium Stadium is one of Britain's top sports venues and offers the best all-round facilities for this new competition. The overriding requirement was to ensure that every seat has a complete view of all the action. One of the Stadium's biggest assets though is its sliding roof, so no matter what the November weather brings, everyone will be warm and dry on the day!
What's involved in preparing the Stadium for an eventing competition?
We have a very experienced team that will work through the night on Saturday to transform the rugby pitch to an event site. The Stadium is well used to quick turnarounds and most of the jumps will be constructed off-site in advance. Our event follows the last rugby match of the season, which enables us to use the existing turf. This will be removed after our competition in preparation for the final round of the 2007 World Rally Championship.
What's next after Cardiff?
Our ambition is to introduce the sport to a wider, global audience, while providing a proving ground for innovation in all aspects of eventing. We plan to roll out an international tour for the world's elite riders in the near future using the Express Eventing format. This will be staged during the quieter winter months in other prestige sporting venues.
