Getting started in eventing, how did you do it?

Hey everyone, I have always been interested in eventing and was just wondering how everyone got their start? Did you do other types of riding first? How did you find a trainer? I am living in Kansas City MO and haven't found a stable or trainer who encourages or focuses on eventing..

My trainer did eventing, so I started out there, moved to a new barn and did hunters (horrid trainer and stuff) so we left, and now I'm back with my first coach, and I've been eventing for about a year. Check the USEA website for trainers in your area

I grew up with horses riding Western. Last year I found my mom's old English saddle in the basement and started riding English on my Paso. I soon bought Molly, my TB, and then Excel, another TB. I found a place that gives eventing lessons and I'm going to start soon on Excel.

Pony Club is where I started. I highly recommend PC to any one who wants to venture into the sport :)

If not PC, definitely find a Coach who not only rides the sport, but has a trainer themselves, and someone who competes in the sport. This is not a sport to do with a Coach who dabbles in it periodically - too dangerous - so make sure the Coach you choose is involved up to their ears.

Best of luck!

My coach doesn't compete all the time, so I don't think it's a nessecity. She trains her OTTB and coaches us, so she doesn't have time to compete.

Pony Club is definitely a good way to get started, but I had awful experiences in it so if you do consider PC make sure the chapter is a good one. I left as soon as I could.

I got into it because my trainer happened to be an eventer. Also, while it's great to have a competing coach, it's also not necessary AS LONG AS they competed regular. My coach stopped competing regularly because she has 2 kids and has had who knows how many broken bones and doesn't want to risk it. However she did compete for a very long time and rode with Karen O'Connor when she was younger. Now she only competes if someone has a horse for sale and can't ride it themselves.

Definitely check USEA - United States Eventing Association (Eventing, Combined Training, Three Day Event, Horse Triathlon, Equestrian Sport) to see if there are any ICP certified instructors in your area. If there aren't any listed I suggest seeing if your area has it's own website because you might find something on there. You can also just ask around at your local barns and tack stores. :)

Yeah... our local PC is..... scarry. My friends are quitting because they hate it so much

I actually decided to event after being a jump judge on the cross country for a friend (not friends anymore) so I got into it :) my horse at the time was a nut case so I got rid of her and bought an ex eventer (ozzie) and started getting my confidence back by going to gymkhannas and adult riding club, lots of trail riding.
Then I just entered an event at e grade (45cms) and was not at all confident or experienced but I had seasoned eventers looking after me. So I went out and winged it :p
After I decided yes this is wha I want to do I went to pony club which was building a cross country course, get cross country and showjumping lessons there. I got up to c grade on my way to b grade then I had a crash, then I struggled trying to get back and stay at c grade. So I retired ozzie from eventing and got a young horse to start out right :) he's going to get awesome! Ozzie wasn't the most reliable jumper but I still got my confidence on him :) love that horse :)

I think your Coach should be very competant where the sport is involved.

I agree. The rules change, the fences change, the courses change and your Coach has to know how to handle those situation themselves, to beable to teach you how to handle those situations.

As David O'Connor said in an article he wrote - "If your Coach doesn't piss on the pot, they should get off"

And I agree. This is too dangerous of a sport.

I started in pony club on my little pony who woukd do anything you pointed at never ever looked pretty don't think we ever placed but I was hooked!
Then joined EI and the riding club and worked through the levels however never had a real instructer till this summer it was for me just goo out cross country and kick on as we goot placed quite alot as mr=y mre is a fast learner aa=nd very athletic. Its only as the fences got tricker I decided to get help more for my dressage then anything else.

At lower levels I don't thing you need a specific instructer if you only doing it for fun only when the course get tricky then you need to get a eventiong instructer.