3-day-eventing

Question
Hi! I am working on writing a speech on eventing and I would like to know how and when the sport originated, I understand you are a volunteer and I thank you for your help.
                  Amanda Cannon

Answer
Hi,

First introduced into the Olympic Games a Stockholm in 1912, the three-day event originated in the cavalry regiments of Europe as a test for officers' chargers. These horses had to be sufficiently well disciplined and trained to carry their masters with distinction on a ceremonial parade, at the same time they had to be fit and bold enough to carry dispatches over long distances, at varying speeds and across different types of terrain, and they were then required to demonstrate their ability and fitness to continue in service by performing over a showjumping course on the following day. Highly specialised as the sport has now become, it is interesting to remember that in those early years such was the verstility of these animals that some nations were represented by the same horses and riders  in all three of the equestrian events, the Grand rix de Dressage, and the Prix des Nations and individual Grand Prix show jumping competitions.

The quest for olympic gold has driven mankind to enormous feats over the ages, and few would argue that it is this quest which has been to a great extent responsible for the development of eventing in recent years. However the sport owes its present standing and popularity almost entirely to the vision of Duke of Beaufort, on whose estate the first Badminton Three-day event was staged in 1949 and to the royal patronage it has since enjoyed in england.

Indeed, such is the popularity of the sport in England that the Badminton Three-day has become a unique institution, drawing spectators and participants from all corners of the globe, and crowds in excess of one hundred thousand for the cross-country day alone. The top riders in england are household names, and the very nature of the cross country course has changed over the years in order to accomodate the massive crowds.

Hope that helps.

Louise