Horse Trial VS. Mini Trial

[piperspapers]

I’m very much the adult ammy rider (and an anxious one at that) and have always dabbled in mini trials and other schooling type events. Getting back into lessons and competition after college, my peers are all marking their schedules with horse trials, and I’m stricken with anxiety! I’d like to do one, but having only done mini’s, I’m not sure what differences to prepare for or expect, besides smoother operation and higher cost.

What advice can you give a rider like me to help me feel prepared to try a horse trial? What differences should I prepare for between MT and HT? Things I need to know in advance? Please feel free to over-explain the details like I’m an idiot down to expectations as far as rider attire and overall turn out.

[Groom_amp_Taxi]

When you refer to a Horse Trial, are you meaning a rated horse trial as in sanctioned by USEF/USEA whereas a mini-trial would be unrated?

Unfortunately, I don’t think there are any standard definitions or interpretations of the term mini-trial - tends to be a lot of regional variation. For example, in my region, I can’t think of anything labeled a mini-trial - we have schooling horse trials and one days - which are probably the same as your mini-trials - but may not be.

[woodrwo]

Volunteer at a USEA sanctioned trial. Great way to check one out. And you will learn a ton about the rules and how they run.

[Gardenhorse]

USEA actually has a nice guide for first-timers at a recognized horse trial. http://www.discovereventing.com/what-do-i-wear. There are different pages (menu on left hand side), but I linked to “What do I wear” since you specifically mentioned attire. I also second the advice of attending or volunteering at a recognized horse trial in your area, as formality can vary somewhat by area. For instance, in Area 2, recognized HTs are almost all 1-day horse trials with XC rounds immediately following stadium jumping, so people often dress more casually for stadium than in other areas.

However, the most important thing is to know the rules (I.e., what bits/tack are allowed, medical armband for jumping, which direction to jump the warm up fences, what attire decisions are rules vs preference, etc.). Schooling trials often vary considerably in how strictly they enforce USEA rules.

[Lusoluv]

I went along to support friends and got to see a “real” horse trial. A few years ago the attire was a little more formal, but now that jackets aren’t required for showjumping/dressage for the lower levels (under prelim), they’re almost the same. Just read over the tack and attire portions of the USEA rules. There aren’t that many differences at the lower levels. Most of all - have fun!

[piperspapers]

@Gardenhorse

USEA actually has a nice guide for first-timers at a recognized horse trial. http://www.discovereventing.com/what-do-i-wear. There are different pages (menu on left hand side), but I linked to “What do I wear” since you specifically mentioned attire. I also second the advice of attending or volunteering at a recognized horse trial in your area, as formality can vary somewhat by area. For instance, in Area 2, recognized HTs are almost all 1-day horse trials with XC rounds immediately following stadium jumping, so people often dress more casually for stadium than in other areas.

However, the most important thing is to know the rules (I.e., what bits/tack are allowed, medical armband for jumping, which direction to jump the warm up fences, what attire decisions are rules vs preference, etc.). Schooling trials often vary considerably in how strictly they enforce USEA rules.

Thank you! This is so helpful!

[piperspapers]

Thanks y’all! I’m tagging along with a friend to one in a few weeks and sure that will ease some of my worries. This has all been helpful!