Red Deer County, Alberta, Canada albertahorsetrials@gmail.com

Start Eventing

Download the AHTA Handbook! Lots of great information about eventing in Alberta!

Never Evented Before? Here is how to get started!

Look for our AHTA clinics marked as “Suitable For Those New To Eventing!” Visit our Clinics Page


Prerequisites:

You must be willing to have a lot of fun!
Your horse must be a minimum of 4 years of age
Equestrian Canada Sport License with a Canadian Eventing membership (bronze license required for EV 90 Level and below)
AHTA Membership
AEF Membership
AEF Find A Coach or check out the Facebook resources below.
Be familiar with the Rules and Regulations
Dressage tests– for each level of competition
Entry Forms and Stabling Forms

Facebook Resources:
All Things Eventing In Alberta Facebook Group Social eventing group to ask questions, find barn or coach recommendations, general discussion, etc.
Alberta Horse Trials Association Page Official AHTA page that shares important eventing info or association business pertaining to our members.

Please note: All pony club or 4-H members are entitled to participate in 1 event or clinic without requiring an AHTA Membership, find the form here. Any additional competitions/clinics require a full AHTA Membership. For the NO Fee Pony Club/4-H Promotions, all show results will be only be counted towards the leaderboard and year end awards with the purchase of an AHTA membership.

Required Equipment: Approved Cross Country Vest (meeting ASTM F1937-04 (2017), Beta 3 or European standard EN13158-2018), and Pinny (both are available from your local tack store)

Introductory Divisions (provincially sanctioned – all EC Eventing rules apply: https://www.equestrian.ca/programs-services/rules)

EV 60 (previously known as Starter):
Intent: Introduce horses and riders to the sport of eventing. Courses should be progressive and inviting
Maximum Height: 60 cm
Maximum Height: 60 cm
Maximum Width at top: 60 cm

X-Country:

  • Optimum Speed: 300 mpm – Speed fault time begins at 400 mpm
  • Speed windows apply as per Entry rules
  • Cross country Single jumping efforts only – minimum of 10 strides between fences
  • No drops
  • No mandatory water
  • No obstacles without height
  • Courses are to be simple and inviting with considerate placement of cross country fences (i.e. NOT next to preliminary level fence or difficult terrain). Fences are to be wide and inviting with no fill.
  • Using different shades of colours or clearly differentiated colours is recommended. Avoid optical illusions and also avoid reflective materials / gloss paint / shiny varnishes
  • Approaches to obstacles should be on flat or gentle terrain
  • Landings to be on flat or gentle terrain for several strides after the fence

Show jumping:

  • Maximum Stadium: 300 mpm
  • Oxers allowed – can not be first fence, can not be maximum height, can not be more than 25% of the total number of show jumps. Courses must be inviting and progressive.
  • No combinations (i.e. minimum of 4 strides between fences)
  • Jumps are to be built with rails only – no fill/boxes/flowers/planks etc.
  • A maximum of 30% of the jumps are allowed to be at maximum height.

EV 75 (previously known as Pre-Entry):
Intent: Introduce horses and riders to the sport of eventing. Courses should be progressive and inviting
Maximum Height: 75 cm
Maximum Width at top: 75 cm

X-Country:

  • Optimum Speed Cross Country: 325 mpm – Speed fault time begins at 400 mpm
  • Speed windows apply as per Entry rules
  • Cross country Single jumping efforts only – A minimum of 10 strides between fences with exception. One set of fences a minimum of 6 strides per course (could have a 6 stride numbered separately but only one on course) is permitted. Open area and favourable appearance (simple inviting fences)
  • No drops
  • No mandatory water
  • Obstacles without height must have an option
  • Courses are to be simple and inviting with considerate placement of cross country fences (i.e. NOT next to preliminary level fence or difficult terrain)
  • Using different shades of colours or clearly differentiated colours is recommended. Avoid optical illusions and also avoid reflective materials / gloss paint / shiny varnishes
  • Approaches to obstacles should be on flat or gentle terrain
  • Landings to be on flat or gentle terrain for several strides after the fence

Show jumping:

  • Maximum Speed Stadium: 300 mpm
  • No combinations (i.e. minimum of 4 strides between fences)
  • A maximum of 30% of the jumps are allowed to be at maximum height.

Higher Levels (nationally sanctioned): – For EV 120, EV 115, EV 110y, EV 105, EV 100, EV 90 and EV 85 – see the Equestrian Canada and/or FEI Rule Book

Check the Equestrian Canada Eventing Site for up to date rules, regulations and competitor information.

The Horse Trials Participation Eligibility Table – familiarize yourself with what you need to qualify for the different levels.

For Membership Requirement visit our Membership Page