How competitive have your Advanced results been? What is a strong final score? What is a good dressage score? What scores do you need to place high? In the final installment of our level-by-level analysis, EquiRatings offers some stats and graphs to help evaluate your Advanced game.
These graphs show Advanced performance across the board, from sub-28 to DNF (Did Not Finish). Take a look to see how the Advanced crowd is typically scoring. What scores do you usually get? We offer some of our takeaways to get you started.
Finishing Score Zones
Per-Phase Zones
Eventing is about putting all three phases together to finish strong, but what is a strong Advanced finish? How are the top finishers performing? The graphs and tables below show you what it takes to win.
Final Position |
Average Dressage Score |
Started as Dressage Leader |
Started 10 Marks or Less from Dressage Leader |
Started More Than 10 Marks from Dressage Leader |
Winner |
30.9 |
40.0% |
55.0% |
5.0% |
Third Place |
34.1 |
6.9% |
70.8% |
22.2% |
Using 2017 – 2019 Advanced data.
Final Position |
0 Show Jumping Penalties |
1 to 4 Show Jumping Penalties |
5 or More Show Jumping Penalties |
Winner |
57.5% |
28.8% |
13.8% |
Third Place |
38.9% |
36.1% |
25.0% |
Using 2017 – 2019 Advanced data. This table includes show jumping time penalties and jumping penalties.
Final Position |
Clear Inside the Time |
Average Cross-Country Time Penalties |
Winner |
18% |
6.2 |
Third Place |
13% |
10.0 |
Using 2017 – 2019 Advanced data.
Lastly, we have pulled the 2019 record dressage scores and record finishing scores from the Advanced level. In 2019, there were no sub-28 finishing scores, illustrating just how tough it is to score that low. These numbers might be worthy reach goals for you.
Seeing how your fellow competitors are doing can provide clarity and help you set realistic targets. Of course, long-term goal-setting is not about comparison; you have to stay in your lane or risk being robbed of fulfillment. But these numbers can help you figure out where you stand. And if you do want to be more competitive, now you know what it takes. Maybe we will see your name in the record books soon.
The USEA is heartbroken to hear about the loss of James “Jimmy” C. Wofford. A lifelong lover and supporter of the sport, Wofford has had an astounding influence on where eventing is today and has tirelessly supported the goals of the United States Eventing Association. He served as president of the American Horse Show Association (now U.S. Equestrian (USEF)), was the first vice-president of the U.S. Equestrian Team (USET), and served as secretary of the USCTA (now USEA). He served two terms as a member of the FEI Eventing Committee, including two years as vice chairman. In addition, he has served on numerous committees during his career.
Experience the thrill of traditional long format three-day eventing by competing in a USEA Classic Series event in 2023! The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is pleased to announce that the 2023 Classic Series calendar is now available.
Amanda Walker wasn’t sure what she’d gotten herself into when she went to try Runaway Romeo as a potential sales project in 2018. The gelding was a bit bigger than Walker was looking for and was quite pushy coming out of the stall. When she got on, it didn’t get much better.
For seasoned and novice riders alike, it is always good to revisit the basics. Serving as the foundation for any eventer, the positions used on the cross-country course differ from those in the dressage or show jumping ring. The USEA tuned into five-time Olympian, three-time World Equestrian Games rider, two Pan-American Games rider, and USEA ECP certified coach Karen O'Connor as she walked coaches and students at the USEA ECP Symposium through the basic positions for effective cross-country riding.