United States Eventing Association

The Modified level was introduced to eventing in 2017 to bridge the gap between the Training and Preliminary levels, a gap that has frequently recognized as being the biggest “jump” between levels. After watching the Modified level grow successfully over the last four years and with the addition of the new CCI* level as the FEI equivalent to the national Modified level, the USEA is very pleased to announce the addition of the Modified Three-Day Event in 2021.

In the USEF Rules for Eventing Appendix 3 – Participation in Horse Trials, the new Modified Three-Day division is outlined as follows:

“Open to competitors of any age on horses 5 years of age or older. Both the competitor and the horse as a combination must have obtained MERs at three horse trials at the Training level or higher, plus an additional MER at Modified level or higher, with no jumping penalties at obstacles on the cross-country test. A competitor established at the Preliminary level may compete on a horse that has obtained two MERs at the Training level or higher. Qualifying competitions must be completed within a 24-month period of the start of the Classic Competition.”

The specifications for dressage, endurance day, and show jumping for the new Modified Three-Day are below:

	Modified
Dressage	Modified Test A Modified Test B
Phase A
• Distance	2640-3960 meters
• Speed	220 meters per minutes
• Time	12-18 minutes
Phase B
• Distance	1650-1925 meters
• Speed	550 meters per minute
• Speed Fault	n/a
• Time	3 or 3.5 minutes
• Jumping Efforts	5-7, 4’1” maximum brush height
Phase C
• Distance	2880-6160 meters
• Speed	160 or 220 meters per minutes
• Time	18-28 minutes
Phase D
• Jump Height	Fixed 1.05m (3'5") Brush 1.25m (4'1")
• Jump Spread	Highest Point 1.30m (4’3”) Base 2.04m (6’5”) Without Height 2.6m (8’6”)
• Drops	1.5m (4'11")
• Distance	2695-3675 meters
• Speed	490 meters per minute
• Speed Fault	n/a
• Time	5.5-7.5 minutes
• Jumping Efforts	24-30, no more than one effort commenced per 130 meters.
Show Jumping
• Distance	600 meters
• Speed	325 meters per minute
• Jumping Efforts	10-13
• Height	1.05 meters (3’5”)
• Overall Spread of Oxers	1.25 meters (4’1”)
• Overall Spread of Triple Bars	1.45 meters (4’9”)

Two events have already signed on to offer Modified Three-Day Events at their competitions in the fall:

• Spokane Sport Horse Farm Fall Horse Trials (Area VII) | September 30-October 3, 2021
• Waredaca Classic Three-Day Event & Horse Trials (Area II) | October 22-24, 2021

The USEA Classic Series Guidelines have been updated to reflect the addition of the Modified Three-Day. The Guidelines can be viewed here.

Organizers interested in hosting a Modified Three-Day Event in 2021 should contact either USEA Senior Director of Competitions Sharon Gallagher at [email protected] or USEA Director of Programs and Marketing Kate Lokey at [email protected].

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.