The Kawartha Pony Club is staging a one-day event, to be held at the Saddlewood Equestrian Centre near Bethany on Saturday, October 13. The event is open to Pony Club members and non-members alike, including a "Jack Benny" division for beginner adults.

Eventing is an Olympic discipline in which competitors must ride a formal Dressage test, follow with a Cross Country or endurance phase across open country and over fixed obstacles, and finish with a Stadium Jumping competition. Scoring is done on a penalty points basis, with all errors of course, refusals, rails down and falls counted as penalties. In most divisions, penalties are also incurred for taking too much time, or too little, to finish the Cross Country phase. The rider with the fewest penalties wins.

Eventing-or Three-Day Eventing at the upper levels-was first developed in the 19th Century as a competition for cavalry horses and riders and was once called Combined Military Training. The Dressage phase demonstrates the horse's obedience and control, the Cross Country phase simulates a cavalry charge and the Stadium Jumping phase demonstrates the horse's long-range stamina and fitness. Though the military aspects of the competition no longer apply, events are still the ultimate test of both horse and rider. To win at eventing, riders must have first-rate fitness themselves and a wide range of riding skills to handle the different demands of the three phases.

The Kawartha Event offers a more relaxed competition at four levels: Entry, Pre-Training, Training and the previously mentioned "Jack Benny." Different dressage tests are used at each level, and the heights of both the Cross Country and stadium jumps also increase with skill levels. "Jack Benny" riders will compete at the least skilled level, along with the Entry group.

The Saddlewood Equestrian Centre is 5 km north of Bethany on County Road 38, opposite Devil's Elbow. Spectators are welcome without admission charge.

For further details contact Kathy McCue, show organizer, at 705-657-1257or Mary Debra Blakeley, show secretary, at 705-745-7002.