Veterinary Guidelines for Classic Series Events

A Classic Series competition has a format that requires the horse and rider combination to prepare their fitness for Endurance Day. At the lower levels, this may be within normal fitness, but for Training level and above, this becomes even more important. The Classic Three-Day Event, although a competition, has evolved to become an educational experience.

As a veterinarian, you can offer advice to guide the competitor and their horse through the competition within the rules and regulations of the competition. The Veterinary Delegate (VD) should have an understanding of the rules and competition format of the Classic Three-Day. It is their responsibility to organize the veterinary team in conjunction with the Organizing Committee (OC). It is essential to ensure there is sufficient veterinary coverage for the competition and where they will be positioned, especially on Endurance Day.

Veterinarian's Responsibilities

In Barns:

In barn examinations are performed by a veterinarian appointed by the Organizing Committee. This is where the health of the horse, including their resting Temperature, Pulse, and Respiration rates (TPR) is recorded on a "Horse Inspections & Examinations Form," including any obvious abnormalities pertaining to soundness. A copy of this form is provided at bottom of this page. The competitor may offer some insight and should be encouraged to do so. No flexion tests will be completed, but the veterinarian may palpate if indicated. One form should be completed for each horse. Ultimately, the information collected can be used to help evaluate the horse as it goes through the competition as well as access candidates for the award for best conditioned mount.

First Horse Inspection:

The Veterinary Delegate (VD) along with the Ground Jury (GJ) observe the horses as they are formally presented by the competitors. The VD should have the "Horse Inspections & Examinations Form" for reference. The horses should be trotted on a surface that is firm, but non slippery, to evaluate fitness to compete.

If there is a questionable unsoundness, the horse will be sent to the “hold box” where the Assistant Veterinarian (appointed by the OC) may further examine the horse with hoof testers, palpation, and/or trotting on a circle or straight line, where passive not active flexion tests are permitted. When the horse is reexamined, the information is relayed by the Assistant Veterinarian to the VD and GJ for discussion before the horse is represented. Once represented, the GJ and VD make the determination together if the horse is fit to compete or if the horse should not pass the inspection and be eliminated from the competition. The competitor can choose to withdraw before the reinspection if the unsoundness is obvious and detrimental to the horse's wellbeing.

There is a compulsory rider meeting scheduled before cross-country day. It is at this time that the veterinary team can have the opportunity to discuss fitness, horse welfare, and rider responsibility with the competitors, plus others issue relative to the competition, such as climatic conditions expected on the cross-country day.

Second Horse Inspection / Ten Minute Box:

The second horse inspection, also known as the “10-minute box," occurs after Roads and Tracks Phases A and C and Steeplechase Phase B. Here, the horses have a mandatory 10-minute break where the rider
dismounts and their team can assist to cool and prepare the horse for Phase D. Where possible it is helpful to watch the horses trot into the vet box at the completion of Phase C.

The horse is followed by a timer and at approximately six minutes after entering the vet box, the horse should be trotted briefly in front of the VD and GJ member for soundness and fitness to continue to cross-country. It is then free to be mounted and go under starters orders. The
horse can have a TPR performed as it enters the 10-minute box and/or before it is released to start cross country. This should be recorded on its "Horse Inspections & Examinations Form."

Post Cross Country:

There should be a designated cool down area with a water supply, shade, and ice, if environmental temperatures are extreme. Every horse needs to be examined by a veterinarian after completing cross-country, including eliminated horses. An initial TPR should be performed and added to the "Horse Inspections & Examinations Form." The attending veterinarian will observe the horses as they finish and while they are cooled down. Once the horse has sufficiently recovered, they can be released to return to their barn. Any horse requiring veterinary assistance at the cool down area should be attended to or seen back at the barn.

Third Horse Inspection:

The third horse inspection is performed before show jumping and follows the format of the first horse inspection. It is attended by the VD and GJ with a Veterinary Assistant to examine any horses sent to the hold. The same "Horse Inspections & Examinations Form" should be available and can be helpful in giving background information as the horse has gone through the competition.

Summary

To conclude, there are a number of veterinary tasks required to be performed throughout a Classic Three-Day Event by the veterinary team. The following is a summation of requirements: a veterinarian to perform in barn exams, a VD and an Assistant Veterinarian in
attendance at the first and third horse inspections, and the VD in the 10-minute box and a veterinarian at the end of cross country in the cool down area on Endurance Day.

Each event offering Classic Series divisions will have different needs for
veterinarians depending on the total number of competitors across the Horse Trials and Classic Series divisions. This should provide the veterinary coverage on Endurance Day for the Classic Series. The OC routinely has mobile horse veterinarian(s) with vet trucks and treating veterinarian(s) to attend to injured horses in the barns, including a horse transport (truck and trailer) and/or horse ambulance.

The overall experience in being involved with a Classic Three-Day Event is rewarding, especially for the competitors. It is an opportunity to reconnect with the historic origins of eventing. The horses and riders leaving the start box for cross-country should feel invigorated and well warmed up for the challenge by Phases A, B, and C. From a veterinary perspective it allows for some constructive input into horses' fitness and soundness. It is a wonderful sport, and we are so fortunate to be able to maintain the Classic Three-Day Event.