United States Eventing Association

Favorite Jog Outfits from the USEA Classic Series Competitors

In every USEA Classic Series Event, there are two formal horse inspections that take place over the weekend. The first horse inspection occurs before dressage and the second horse inspection occurs on Sunday morning before the show jumping phase.

The horse inspection also referred to as ‘the jog’ occurs at every FEI competition and at every level of the USEA Classic Series Events – from Beginner Novice through Preliminary. For the formal horse inspections in a Classic Series Three-Day Event, each horse is presented to the Veterinary Delegate, Technical Delegate, and the President of the Ground Jury.

A horse inspection determines whether the horse will move forward with the competition and it’s the first impression to the judges prior to dressage. But, it’s also gives competitors a chance to swap out the breeches for a beautiful dress which leads to picture perfect moments. The USEA asked Classic Series competitors about their favorite jog outfits and the memories associated with them, and wanted to share the organization's top two picks!

Hilary Naleway & Sweet Radiance - 2021 Rebecca Farm T3D

In July 2021, Hilary Naleway rode her own 17-year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred mare, Sweet Radiance aka Sadie in the Training Three-Day at Rebecca Farm. Naleway described her classic series weekend as “one of the most fun events she’s done.” For the first and third horse inspection, she wore dresses that were appropriate and complimented her chestnut mare perfectly.

“This was our first Training Three-Day and it was one of our final preps before moving up. It was one of the most fun events I’ve done. Rebecca [Farm] is always a top-notch event and this year was no different. From the jogs to endurance day, it will go down as one of my favorite events with this horse. She is so keen and ready to go at all times. Keeping her contained on cross-country day is a job in itself but she more than makes up for it with her bravery and willingness to step up to the plate.” 

“I’ve had the pleasure of bringing [Sadie] along for the last eight years. I call her my ride or die and [I] am incredibly proud of the mare she has become.”

Kathleen Bertuna & Push the Light - 2018 IEA N3D

“It was an amazing experience,” said Kathleen Bertuna about when she competed in the Novice Three-Day Event at IEA. “My horse, Pushthelight, is an off-the-track Thoroughbred [gelding]. He was 17 at the time and I bought him the year before as a schoolmaster to show me the ropes at Novice and Training. I loved the conditioning work and all the hours in the saddle building up to the Novice Three-Day (N3D). He thrived on the trot and canter sets and loved the gallop work. I used the USEA article on how to prep for the thee-day event as a guide and had him super fit for the show. Dorothy Crowell was our mentor/educator for the show, [and] she was amazing. We practiced the jog with her and looked and felt the part for our first jog.  He put in a lovely dressage test the next day.”

“The next day, I had mapped out all the times on my arm for each phase. Push was so game for the roads and tracks, it was hard to keep him at a 220m/min pace. The steeplechase was the most amazing experience. It was hard to pull him up at the end. We were so ahead of time on the second roads and tracks, we walked quite a few times. Dorothy came over to help and when the vet announced his vitals and he was cleared for cross-country, she said ‘you just can’t beat a Thoroughbred on endurance day!’  She sent us off to cross-country. She said we would have the best round ever and she was right! He stormed around the course, and we finished double clear. He cooled out quickly and recovered well.”

“The [final day], we were a little late to the jog. I was hand grazing him and lost track of time. We made it and he passed with flying colors. He felt good in [the] show jumping warm-up and kept all the poles up, finishing double clear. We ended up in third place and won the best-conditioned horse. I was so proud of our accomplishment. I think everyone should have to do a three-day event. It taught me so much about proper conditioning and really creates a bond between you and your horse. He took me to the AEC the following year at Training. He is now semi-retired and takes my daughter around grasshopper events and hacks out western with my dad. He has the biggest heart. I’m planning on doing the Training Three-Day at Haygard this year with my baby, Excel Star Harry.”

“I’m so excited to do it again! It was a truly educational and exciting experience.”

About the USEA Classic Series
The USEA Classic Series keeps the spirit of the classic long format three-day events alive for Beginner Novice through the Preliminary levels. Competitors can experience the rush of endurance day, including roads and tracks, steeplechase, the vet box, and cross-country, as well as participate in formal veterinary inspections and educational activities with experts on the ins and outs of competing in a long format three-day event. Riders who compete in a USEA Classic Series event during the year will have the chance to win a variety of prizes at the events from USEA sponsors. Click here to learn more about the USEA Classic Series.

The USEA would like to thank Bates Saddles, FITS, SmartPak Equine, Parker Equine Insurance, and Stackhouse & Ellis Saddles for sponsoring the USEA Classic Series.