Would you consider eventing to be an "extreme sport"?

Gary Stuart · Well Schooled

Would you consider eventing to be an "extreme sport"?

justice · Grand Prix

Such a controversial subject : )Prelim and above should be considered extreme sport, IMO.

In defense of the horses, they are [were] bred, trained and conditioned for such gymnastics and the ones that LIKED that kind of ride excelled at it. Years ago, when the long format was available, with the proper tune-up (steeples and r/t), it made sense to horse and rider alike. There was no flippin' (pun intended: ) stadium fences in the woods. Cross-country will never be a spectatour sport, and to try to make it so has created preventable issues, perpetuated by the loss of the long format, and too many fine horses as well as riders. Also MHO.

-- Edited by justice on Thursday 18th of November 2010 10:45:00 AM

-- Edited by justice on Thursday 18th of November 2010 10:45:17 AM

-- Edited by justice on Thursday 18th of November 2010 10:45:52 AM

Eventer15 · Yearling

I think I heard once that eventing was considered like the third or fourth most extreme sport in north america. Bull riding was first. I belive that the horses are trained to listen to the rider, but in eventing they need to think for themselves to some degree as well. I think that riders who are not able to save their horse when they need it, and horses who are not able to save their rider when they need it, do not belong in the sport. There is a degree of trust and co-operating, and if one partner carries the team, It wont fare well when that partner needs help.

justice · Grand Prix

Definitely agree that a good event horse needs to be a free thinker. Absolutely : )

Barbara F · Grand Prix

Very good points, Eventer 15. That's what William Micklem calls the "fifth leg". The ability of the horse to think for himself.

Very different from dressage where the rider is really controlling every step.

Re: eventing being an extreme sport, I strongly believe that the fences HAVE TO come down.

There should never be a situation where, if a fence is not ridden or jumped perfectly, the horse does a rotational fall.