Not so much pros and cons as just differences, and some of this is specific to Area II.
For most recognized events, I just trailer in for 1 day, and I do not need to take a day off from work.
For most recognized jmper shows (e.g., HITS) I need to go at least 2 days, and probably 3, meaning I have to take of a day from work.
(+ for Eventing)
For recognized events, I generally go without a trainer, and that is pretty much the norm.
For recognized show jumping, if I go wihout a trainer I stick out like a sore thumb, and have difficulty warming up, so I normally DO have a trainer, which is extra expense.
(+ for Eventing)
To do well in the Eventing Show Jumping phase, I need to be clear and within the time allowed (which is, at the lower levels, a bit slower than the time allowed for straight Show Jumping).
To do well at recognized Show Jumping I need to be clean AND FAST.
(Just different)
For Eventing, no one else can ride/school the horse.
For Show Jumping, someone else can school and compete the horse if needed.
(Just different for me, though some might consider it + for Show Jumping)
For Eventing, if I have a bad round, that is tough. There is no chance for another go.
In Show Jumping, if I have a bad round, I can go again in another class.
(+ for Show Jumping)
For Eventing, you can only enter at one level. if you want to move up, you have to wait til the next competition.
For Show Jumping, you can move between levels during the weekend.
(+ for Show Jumping)
For Eventing, the classes are typically divided based on the previous experience of the horse and/or rider, not on Amateur vs Pro
(+ for Eventing IMHO, though in Novice Horse you might be competing against an Olympian on a green horse)
For Eventing, you need to spend time learning/teaching the horse to gallop across country, and conditioning. Also you need to “ship out” to a variety of cross country schooling facilities.
For Show Jumping, you can do most of your schooling at home (if home has a good collection of show jumps)
(+ for show jumping on the time and expense, but + for Eventing on the fun of cross country schooling)
For lower level Eventing, it is usually easier and cheaper to find a suitable horse. This is more to do with the smaller demand than the supply.
(+ for Eventing)
With regard to solid fences, most of the time, even if you hit one, you don’t fall down. In fact, I have fallen more often from a horse hitting a show jumping fence than from a horse hitting a cross country fence.
(Just different)
Cross Country requires a different set of skills from Show Jumping.
(+ for Eventing on the diversity of skils, but + for Show Jumping on how quickly you can learn the skills to progress)
Dressage work definitely helps your jumping, but there is a big difference with doing a lot of dressage exercises and riding an actual test in front of a judge.
(Just different)
A good cross contry round is a bigger high than a good Show Jumping round. But a bad cross country course is a bigger down than bad Show Jumping course.
(Just different)
In Eventing, if you get eliminated in one phase, you will go home without a ribbon. But if it was a technical elaimination (e.g., going off course) they will usually let you ride the remaining phases, you just won’t get a final place.
In Show Jumping, if you do get eliminated in one class, you start with a blank slate in the next one.
(+ for Show Jumping)
For the equivalent level of competiton, the Eventing fences (both in the ring and out) are smaller than the straight Show Jumping fences. And the Eventing Show Jumping courses are a little easier than the equivalent level Show Jumping courses.
(+ Eventing)
ETA a new one.
For Eventing, you need to enter before the closing data (2 + weeks). If you need to scratch after the closing date, you usually get no refund.
For Show Jumping, you can post-enter, and/or change classes, right up to the start of the class.
(+ for Show Jumping)
The quid-pro-quo of this is that in Eventing you have assigned times- even if they slip a bit you have a pretty good idea of when you ride. In show jumping, it is often hard to estimate your ride time within even a two hour window.
(+ for Eventing- but it is dependant on the pre-entry policy)
