There is a considerable amount of training that someone needs to get involved with to compete in eventing. The first thing you need to do is get in touch with a local horse farm or pony club. If you have never ridden a horse before then you are going to need to get some lessons under your belt beforehand.

Most riders get started at a very early age. Some riders are even competing in their teens. Once you begin the process, you will be given a ranking level. These levels go from D, D1, D2, D3, C, C1, C2, C3, and so forth all the way to A. An A level ranking is the best. Most people start out around the C level and work their way up to the B levels. Once you reach the high Cs or the lower Bs, you will start your competition training.

Most people will not be able to afford to buy a horse so it’s recommended that you use a horse from a pony club or a riding club. After you get some lessons under your belt and you are sure that you are going to be riding for a long time, you should look into buying your own horse.

Taking up eventing is a great way for a child or an adult to learn about horse care and riding, but it’s not for everybody. When you talk about competition, there can be a lot politics and overwhelming expectations from coaches and clubs. Only invest in this sport if you are sure it’s something that you will be doing for a long time, as it can be extremely expensive.

Maya is that friend for me. She was born in the city and has lived there her entire life. For her, the countryside is any piece of land that isn't paved over. The closest to livestock she has ever been is her house cat. She asked me once why I ride horses. In her words they are big and smelly and their hair gets everywhere. My explanations always sound inadequate when I hear the words spoken aloud. I love the outdoors, I tell her.

"Then take up walking", she'll say.
"I enjoy the competition", I'll counter.
"So play chess", she'll recommend.
"It's the quiet time I enjoy", I smile.
"Read a book then", she'll smile back.

It was after one of these conversations that I had an epiphany. I asked myself, why do I ride? Is it really the quiet ride in the countryside? Is it really wanting to get a better score on my Dressage test? I thought about what types of horses I have ridden and owned. Was there something similar between them? I have always loved Andalusians. I have owned two. Why did I choose this particular breed? What are the traits that drew me to them? First of all, they are beautiful. The long wavy mane and tail. The gorgeous line of the arched neck. The graceful movement of their paces. They are athletic and excel in all disciplines, it's true, but I had discovered why I loved horses and riding.

I always felt like an ugly duckling as a child. I was large, clumsy, and shy. Horses were my polar opposite. Beautiful and graceful, they possessed the traits I wanted for myself. I realized how much attention I got for my horses' beauty. I was taking those compliments as my own. I was living vicariously through my horses, becoming a swan any time I was with them. This self-reflection put me at ease. I love horses because they are beautiful. I wasn't embarrassed to tell Maya this and I knew it was the truth when she said, Oh, that makes sense.

We all have our reason for riding. Maybe it's power, strength, or speed. Maybe it's the rush of the cross country course or the thrill of winning. Maybe you just look good in your riding clothes. Whatever the reason, the universal truth is that for horse lovers, you know you can't live without them.