Combined training - is it a competition?

[Sophia]

what is it how is it judged is it a competition? Is it training? what happens is it just like doing a dressage class then a showjumping class? how is the showjumpnig judged? also are they any good?

Sorry loadsa questions!

[KarinUS]

It could be different but the ones around here were exactly that: a dressage test and then a jumping test.
The jumping test is by faults first. It's not like Hunter. It doesn't matter what you look like as long as you clear it. Then there is a jump-off (if more than one person had a clear round).
It could be alltogether different though in the UK! :rolleyes:

[charlotte+jill!]

We have the dressage test first, then your score is worked out as a pensentage pentiles (sp sorry) so say you got 60% you'd get 40 pentiles. Then you have your SJ round, just one round reseaving normal faults for knockdowns/stops...

Person with the lowest score to win........ if two people have the same scorce then its the person nearest the optimun time for the SJ :D

[kedwards]

I'm in the US, so I guess our terminology is different.

Here, Combined Training refers to eventing.

The term Combined Test (also known as "2-phase") is used for a competition involving only two of the three phases, usually dressage and stadium. The scoring is exactly like that of an event, but without the third phase. That is, riders accumulate penalty points for dressage (based on 100-the score) and penalty points for the stadium round (based on jumping and time faults.) There is no jump off. The person with the fewest penalties across both phases wins.

I think they are fun. I also think they are a great, fairly low-pressure (relative to an event or to a multi-round showjumping competition), way to get some experience for the horse or rider.

[KarinUS]

There is no jump off.

I think that again may be a regional thing. I've worked jump crew (the people that run around and place the poles back on the standards) at Combined Training comps. here in Texas and we did have jump-offs.
The jump-offs were ridden in a different pattern than the original ride so you want to make sure to verify, if there will be a jump-off or not. If there is one, be sure to memorize the pattern as it is not the same as the original ride.

Good Luck and have fun!

[kedwards]

Cool Karin! It would be fun to do a CT with jumpoffs. Was the jumpoff only to break a tie for overall penalties (both dressage and SJ), or did all competitors who went clean and under-time in SJ proceed to the jumpoff? How do they work out the final scores?

[KarinUS]

I really was so busy trying to look graceful while running around (which is tougher than you think since you are trying to be quick without looking like a cow! :o ) and wasn't involved in tallying the scores... :rolleyes:
I don't remember how they added up the scores but my instructor kept saying how the dressage is going to determine the winners/losers in this one.
So it seemed to me that the two parts were scored independently and lots of people did really well in the jumping?
The jump-off at the last competition (just a schooling show) also seemed somewhat optional. I remember one participant couldn't remember the jump-off course and simple declined the opportunity. So with 7 people having a clear round she automatically was placed 7th.

[kedwards]

Perhaps they scored and placed SJ as a seperate competition (with jump off), but used only the first round penalty scores (figured according to standard USEA rules) for the total combined test placings.

As for grace while acting as a jump crew, I suggest doing the tennis ball-boy run :D Of course, it kills your back when you are carrying jump rails that way.

[KarinUS]

Oh that would perfectly make sense. It's entirely possible! :)