As Bicton closes their doors for another season, we thought we’d take a look back on the unique classes at The Bicton October International Horse Trials; the Redpost Equestrian BE90 and BE100 3 Day Event, which provides grassroots riders the chance to experience the thrill of a long-format event.
The BE90 and BE100 classes attract a diverse range of riders, from young up-and-coming talents to seasoned amateurs who are passionate about the sport and want to follow in the footsteps of their idols. It also provides direct qualification to the Voltaire Design Grassroots Championships at Badminton, a destination event for the Grassroots membership.
The Long-Format Experience
One of the unique aspects of the Redpost Equestrian BE90 and BE100 3 Day Events at Bicton is the inclusion of the long-format structure, which harkens back to the traditional roots of eventing. For many grassroots competitors, the opportunity to compete in a long-format event is a rare and exciting experience. Unlike regular one-day events, the long-format adds an extra level of challenge and endurance, giving riders a taste of the sport’s origins.
The long-format competition begins with two full days of dressage, where riders perform a set test in front of two judges. The focus here is on precision, harmony, and the rider’s ability to demonstrate their horse’s training and athleticism. A strong dressage score puts competitors in good stead although this competition is never won inside the white boards! Horses will need to be just as good across the country and jumping fences to be in with a chance of getting a ribbon.
Saturday is where the long format truly shines. Riders face the endurance phases, which include roads and tracks, steeplechase, and the cross-country phase. The roads and tracks sections are designed to test the horse’s fitness and stamina, while the steeplechase demands speed and endurance over a series of brush fences. Finally, the cross-country phase offers a challenging test of bravery and skill as riders tackle a series of solid obstacles over varying terrain.
For many riders, the endurance day is the highlight of the competition, offering a real sense of achievement upon completion. The experience of managing their horse’s fitness, pacing through the endurance phases, and successfully navigating the cross-country course is both exhilarating and rewarding.
The final day of the competition begins with a trot up to check for soundness and is then dedicated to showjumping. After two days of intense competition, the showjumping phase provides a final test of the horse’s athleticism and the rider’s accuracy. Showjumping over a technical course requires horses to be careful and attentive, particularly after the physical demands of the previous day. A clear round can mean the difference between a top placing and dropping down the leaderboard and as this phase is run in reserve order of merit, it makes for an exciting conclusion to the competition.
Preparation and Training
Competing in a long-format event requires careful preparation and training. Riders must focus not only on the technical skills needed for dressage, cross-country, and showjumping but also on their horse’s fitness and endurance. The inclusion of the roads and tracks and steeplechase phases means that horses need to be in peak physical condition to complete the competition successfully.
Many riders spend months preparing for the event, working on their horse’s fitness, practicing their dressage tests, and honing their jumping skills. Fitness is a key component, with riders often incorporating hacking, interval training, and hill work into their routine to build their horse’s stamina. Additionally, the technical demands of the cross-country and showjumping phases require riders to work on their precision, balance, and ability to ride at a consistent rhythm.
Co-Director Andrew Fell comments on the preparation required, “Your horse will need to be old fashioned hunting fit to be ready for Bicton’s 3 Day Event. Use the eventing season to get some good runs in before October and make sure you are ready for the challenge too!”
For grassroots riders, the opportunity to compete is a testament to their dedication and commitment to the sport. The sense of achievement that comes with completing the competition, regardless of placing, is immense, and many riders view it as one of the pinnacles of their eventing career.
Riders, trainers, grooms, and supporters come together to create a vibrant and welcoming environment, with everyone cheering each other on throughout the competition. The shared goal of completing the long-format event fosters a unique bond among competitors, and the celebration of each rider’s achievement is felt by all.
“It is more than just a class,” added Helen West, who is the Co-Director at the venue. “It is about the whole experience. We want to ensure those competitors coming to the glorious Grade One Listed Park at Bicton have the most wonderful few days with us. This is the only opportunity for the BE membership to compete in traditional long format classes and we really want them to have the best experience possible.”
Fancy competing yourself?
“It’s a challenging event but it’s a fun event. When you have completed, wherever you have come, you feel like you have achieved something. You also get to know your horse really well over the competition, you should definitely give it a go!” said Cheryl Beer (pictured above) who won the Redpost Equestrian BE90 Section D class at Bicton over the weekend.
“It was my first time doing the long format this year and it seemed scary to begin with but it’s really not, just come and give it a go and enjoy it,” add Keira Parsons (pictured above) who won the Redpost Equestrian BE90 Section E class on her 17-year-old gelding Saratoga Candyman.
The long format is truly a unique grassroots competition, make sure you put it in your diary for 2025!
Release supplied by event.
Images courtesy of ESP Photographic
