Making the step up to your first three-day event is an amazing milestone, one that reflects months and years of building a partnership and trust between you and your horse. But as well as exciting, it can also feel overwhelming and stressful. There’s a lot more to think about, from training for the step up in difficulty to managing multiple days away from home and coping with nerves.
To help ease the pressure, we’ve pulled together some practical tips to help you feel more prepared, calm and ready for this next chapter in your eventing journey.
Level up your prep for all phases
As you move up the levels, all three elements can become more technical and demanding. You might want to consider getting support from an eventing coach, if you haven’t already, who knows exactly what you’re going to face. Or invest in dressage lessons and jumping lessons from specialists in those areas to fine tune your partnership.
Make sure you know your cross-country speed per minute for the optimum time in your class and practice it if possible. That might mean boxing up and heading to an all-weather gallop to test and time your canter work. Knowing what your pace feels like and being able to adjust it confidently is key to riding a smooth, accurate round.
Do your venue homework
Every venue has its own quirks, from stabling layouts to warm-up areas and the location of the trot-up (with that in mind, practice your trot-up too – then you and your horse will know what to expect). Take time to research the venue beforehand:
- Look up maps, photos and previous riders’ blogs or vlogs.
- Check the stabling info in your entry pack and find out if you’ll be on grass or hard standing. Do you need extra bedding, or to bring your own hay and water?
- Make a note of where the vet, farrier, and secretary are located, as well as any rules around late arrivals or vehicle movement.
Knowing what to expect can take a lot of uncertainty (and stress) out of your arrival.
Make a packing list and check it twice!
Packing for a stay-away show is very different to a one-day outing. Your gear list suddenly gets a lot longer…so don’t leave it to the last minute. Some things you might want to think about carrying as well as your tack and rider clothing are:
- A cross-country watch
- Extra feed and supplements in case there’s a transport issue on the way home
- Rugs for warm, cool and wet weather – this is the UK, after all…
- Electrolytes for your horse (and hydration for you)
- Stable kit: buckets, mucking out tools, hay nets, hooks and signage
- Grooming kit, coolers, rugs, boots, studs and stud kit
- Rider spares: gloves, breeches, shirts, safety gear
- A first aid kit for both horse and human
- Healthy food and snacks so you don’t live off burgers and bacon butties every day…
Make a list, start your packing a few days before and tick things off as you go. The more organised you are before you leave, the less stressed you’ll be once you arrive.
Prep your stable routine
Being away from home can unsettle some horses, so it’s helpful to keep your routine as familiar as possible. Stick to your usual feeding, mucking out and exercise times where you can, and bring some comforts from home, like the same feed buckets, hay nets or a stable toy. Some riders even bring a small bag of shavings or bedding from home to sprinkle on top of the new bed. Don’t forget to include your emergency contact details and any vet or farrier info on a sign at your stable, just in case.
Give yourself time to settle in
If you can, arrive early, maybe even the day before the trot-up, to give both you and your horse time to settle. Unload, get your bearings and spend some quiet time walking around the venue or hand-grazing. The first evening is a good time to check your schedule, read the noticeboards, meet other riders and prepare for the busy days ahead.
Having a good support team, whether that’s your trainer, groom, family or friends, makes all the difference to your experience. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or to talk through your nerves.
Keep horse recovery in mind
If your horse is used to turnout and time on the horse walker in addition to their exercise, bear that in mind when you’re away competing. Walking them in hand and letting them have a good graze will help loosen up muscles and stretch their topline. If it gets hot, then keep an eye on how warm it is in the temporary stable and consider standing them in the shade where they can benefit from a breeze. And, of course, remember their cool-down routine after all three phases. That might include walking off in-hand, offering water, applying cold boots or ice and letting them rest somewhere quiet before fussing over them again.
Tips to stay mentally grounded
Nerves are completely normal when you’re stepping up a level, especially at your first three-day when you have more time to mull things over. So how can you manage the mental pressure? Here are some of our top tips!
- Create a routine: Stick to a plan for each day, from feeding and walking to warm-up and cool-down.
- Visualise your rides: Take time the night before to mentally ride each phase as it can really help you feel more confident and focused.
- Control the controllables: You can’t influence the weather, the scary fence on the cross-country course or who’s parked next to you, but you can control how you prepare, how you ride your horse and how you respond.
- Take breaks: Don’t spend every spare minute walking around the venue. Try to schedule moments to sit quietly, eat and even distract yourself with a good book or a natter with a friend.
Remember why you’re doing it
It’s easy to get caught up in the pressure of doing everything “right” but remember – this is meant to be fun for both of you. You’ve earned your place here, so try to soak it all in and enjoy the experience. Your first three-day event will always be one you remember.