Twice a year the Dominion Valley Pony Club (DVPC) Horse Trial committee sponsors an unrecognized Horse Trial.  This trial is geared as a schooling show.  It has all the components of an Event:  Dressage, Cross Country and Stadium Jumping. The funds raised for the club from the event are earmarked specifically to fund training and riding events in the DVPC for all members for the current year.  A member is eligible to have costs offset by the income from the Horse Trials if the member works as a volunteer during the trials.  This does not preclude the member from competing since competition is completed in a day.  There is a pre-event cross country workday - mandatory participation by all members required; and there is the event where a member is expected to volunteer at least one day, and both days if not competing.  All requirements are negotiable with the DC. ELEMENTS OF A HORSE TRIAL:  This sport could be termed an "equestrian triathlon". It involves working with your horse both on the flat and over jumps. Over the centuries it has developed from the tests for the ideal military charger. Today, the sport is most known for its cross-country phase where horse and rider gallop over an outside course of solid obstacles which the horse has never seen before. At the uppermost level of competition, Olympic or World Championships, the endurance day consists of Phase A - Roads and Tracks, approximately three and a half miles of walk and trot as a warm-up; Phase B - Steeplechase approximately two one-eighth miles at a gallop over eight or so steeplechase fences; Phase C - more Roads and Tracks approximately seven miles of walk and trot as a cool down from steeplechase, and Phase D - the Cross-Country approximately five miles at a gallop over a maximum of forty-five obstacles that can be up to four feet high and ten feet wide (at the base). The horse's speed on this phase is over twenty miles per hour. At the novice level, the lowest level, the endurance phase consists of the cross-country only and is run at a steady canter for approximately one and a half miles, over approximately fifteen obstacles that are no larger than 2'11" high and 4'7" wide (at the base). There are five levels from novice through advanced, each one designed to prepare horse and rider for the next level, though there is no requirement to advance any higher than is comfortable for horse or rider. The DVPC HTs focus on catering to the younger, less experienced riders as a means for schooling.  Our jumps meet the CDCTA criteria by size and height; and our course is regulation length.             A.  Phase I:  Dressage.   The First test is called a "dressage" test. Dressage is a French word meaning training. Originally designed to show the horse's capability on the parade ground in performing various movements involved with reviewing troops, today the dressage test comprises a set series of complicated movements performed in an enclosed arena. Precision, smoothness, suppleness and complete obedience show off the horse's gymnastic development. Ideally it should look as if the horse is performing of its own accord, carrying its rider in complete harmony. The test is scored on each movement, rather like the scoring in figure skating, and the overall harmony and precision of the whole exercise are taken into consideration. Dressage is also very important to the three-day event rider for the purpose of conditioning the horse's muscles for the endurance test. They become fit, strong, and elastic to lengthen and shorten at a gallop. The purpose of the dressage test is to demonstrate the intense training the horse and rider have achieved to perform each movement with balance, suppleness, and precision timing. The horse is extremely fit and the energy that is contained within the horse is incredible. Therefore, it is a remarkable feat in itself to control this energy and have the horse use it to his fullest advantage. B.   Phase II: Cross Country.  The object of the endurance test is to prove the speed, endurance and jumping ability of the true cross-country horse when he is well trained and brought to the peak of condition. At the same time, it demonstrates the rider's knowledge of pace and the use of this horse across country. Cross-country courses require horses and riders to be bold and smart and they also test stamina. Each combination of horse and rider must complete the course with as few penalties as possible. In Olympic and World Championship competition, the total mileage to be covered on the speed and endurance phase can be up to twenty miles. Our course is between 1-2 miles for the upper levels and decreases as levels are dropped. The cross-country phase is the phase that appeals most to spectators and riders alike. It is the ultimate challenge to prepare a horse for this rigorous test. Unlike other sports, where only the human will and body are pitted against the clock, in eventing, or combined training, two minds and bodies have to work as one. As an additional attraction, eventing is the only high-risk Olympic sport that permits men and women to compete as equals. There are no separate divisions. Some of the top riders in the world today are women from many nations C.  Phase III: Stadium Jumping.  This is the third and final test which takes place in the jumping arena. A series of colored fences in an enclosed ring, normally inside in the spring and outdoors in the fall, have to be negotiated before the full competition is over. The final phase tests the stamina and recovery of the horse after the endurance phase and shows that it is fit enough to continue work. The show jumping course requires very exact riding; it consists of between nine and fifteen show jumping obstacles, which normally include at least one combination, and two spread fences.  As is often the case with horses, they amaze us with their intelligence and ability and rise to the challenge admirably. The show jumping courses are designed to test the horse's and the rider's ability to negotiate a variety of fences of differing heights, widths, and technicality. This requires the horse to be balanced and supple for tight turns and short distances between fences. He must be able to lengthen or shorten his stride in an instant. Therefore, the rider must know exactly where he is on the approach to a fence, and have an obedient horse that will respond to his commands. For the spectator, this sport is both exciting and breathtaking to watch, as just one single rail knocked down can change the standings dramatically. At the end of the competition, scores for all the competitors are totaled. Each test is scored individually and the penalties accrued are added together for the final results. The lowest score is the winning score.