RALLIES

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The dressage phase (held first) comprises an exact sequence of movements  ridden in an enclosed arena (20 x 40 meters or 20 x 60 meters). The  test is judged by one or more judges who are looking for balance, rhythm  and suppleness and most importantly, obedience of the horse and its  harmony with the rider. Each movement in the test is scored on a scale  from 0 to 10, with a score of "10" being the highest possible mark. The  dressage mark (score) is then converted into penalty points.

Cross-country, requires both horse and rider to be very fit, brave plus trusting of each other. This phase consists of approximately  10-24 fences (lower levels), 18-40 at the higher levels, placed on a  long outdoor circuit averaging 1400m - 2500m (lower levels), 2200m -  5000m (higher levels)in length. These fences consist of very solidly  built natural objects (telephone poles, stone walls, etc.) as well as  various obstacles such as ponds and streams, ditches, drops and banks,  and combinations involving several jumping efforts - based on objects  that would commonly occur in the countryside. This phase is timed, with  the rider required to cross the finish line within a certain time frame  (optimum time).

The last phase, show jumping, tests the technical jumping. In this  phase, 9-15 fences are set up in a ring with the competitor being timed.  The course set over a distance of 350m - 500m, depending on the level.  Typically these fences are brightly colored and consist of elements that  can be knocked down, unlike cross-country obstacles. Penalties are  given out for disobediences, falls, knockdowns and for going over the  optimum time. The combined penalties of all three phases are then  tabulated.