How competitive have your Training results been? What’s a good dressage score? What scores could earn you a top finish? We’ve been taking a look at each USEA level and as we continue this series, EquiRatings offers some stats and graphs to help evaluate your Training game.
These graphs show Training performance across the board, from sub-28 to DNF (Did Not Finish). Take a look to see what scores the Training crowd has been earning. What scores do you usually get? We give you 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 Training level finish? 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 |
29.3 |
48.9% |
50.0% |
1.1% |
Third Place |
33.0 |
6.1% |
82.1% |
11.8% |
Using 2017-2019 Training data.
Final Position |
0 Show Jumping Penalties |
1 to 4 Show Jumping Penalties |
5 or More Show Jumping Penalties |
Winner |
81.9% |
15.0% |
3.1% |
Third Place |
63.5% |
26.1% |
10.4% |
Using 2017 – 2019 Training data. This table includes show jumping time penalties and jumping penalties.
Final Position |
Clear Inside the Time |
Average Cross-Country Time Penalties |
Winner |
88% |
0.4 |
Third Place |
75% |
1.1 |
Using 2017 – 2019 Training data. Clear Inside the Time includes all runs that were clear jumping with no time penalties (whether for going over the optimum time or for going too far under the time).
Lastly, we have pulled the 2019 record dressage scores and record finishing scores from Training level. There are some recognizable names on these lists but also some combinations who may not always make the eventing headlines.
Now that you know how your Training peers are performing, what are some goals you can set? Do you want to improve toward the middle of the pack or aim for a top finish? Either goal is great. Progress is progress. Of course, long-term goal-setting is not about comparison - you have to stay in your lane or risk being robbed of joy. If your main aim is to enjoy your horse with a few outings a year, these numbers can just be fun! But, if you want to be competitive, now you know what it takes. Either way, enjoy the journey.
The countdown to the 2024 United States Eventing Association (USEA) American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds is getting shorter and the tentative schedule is officially set! For the second year in a row, the AEC returns to the iconic Kentucky Horse Park from August 27 through September 1 and will offer 26 divisions, including brand new Starter divisions and all levels of recognized evening up through the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final.
What’s a Hunter Pace? The Sherwood Forest Equestrian Center's Hunter Pace is a cross-country-style course around Sherwood Forest over various natural obstacles/terrain. The course ends with a final treat for riders to take in stunning views of Mt. Hood with a loop through the old Far Hill Farms field. The beginning of the course will first start with a warm-up loop around show jumping obstacles in the outdoor ring at Sherwood Forest and then riders will continue directly onto the course. Sign up as a solo rider, pair, or team.
Claire Allen remembers when she was 11 years old, having just made the switch from the hunter/jumper ring to three-day eventing. She told her new eventing trainer that her goal was to one day compete in the United States Equestrian Federation’s Eventing Young Rider Championships.
As he was finishing tacking up his horse in preparation to navigate the cross-country course at the 2024 Twin Rivers Summer Horse Trials, James Alliston expressed concern about navigating the 101 Freeway. That’s because as soon as he crossed the finish line aboard Intermediate level winner Addyson (Ampere x Nickerbocker) at 10:38 a.m. on Saturday—his fifth cross-country round of the morning with three at Preliminary and two at Intermediate—the West Coast-based five-star rider had to drive 185 miles on the 101 Freeway from Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, California, to San Francisco International Airport to catch a 4:35 p.m. flight to Frankfurt, Germany.