Moving From Lower to Upper Levels in Eventing

Eventing combines dressage, cross-country and showjumping, but each discipline reveals a different kind of pressure. A horse that performs neatly over 1.10-metre fences may still struggle with the sustained gallop, related distances and uneven terrain required at the upper levels. A polished dressage test can disappear quickly when the rider must make rapid decisions across a challenging course.

Progression therefore depends on more than winning at home. Riders need a horse with the athletic capacity, experience and temperament for the job, while also developing the judgement to ride efficiently and safely. The route may involve national competitions, FEI classes, one-star and two-star events, or the three-star level that often becomes the gateway to Combination classes.

For Australian competitors, this journey is shaped by a combination of geography, climate and a strong club culture. Major venues around Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide provide valuable competition opportunities, while long distances between states make planning central to a campaign. The following framework considers the practical realities behind a successful step into more demanding eventing.

The Test Comes on Cross-Country

The largest change usually appears on the cross-country course. At lower levels, the fences may be solid, forgiving and closely related to a manageable gallop. As the standard rises, the course demands greater power, suppleness and trust. Narrower flags, wider spreads, drops, water complexes and combinations ask the horse to adjust its stride while maintaining momentum.

A good result at novice or one-star level is evidence of potential, not a guarantee of readiness for everything above it. Competition experience matters because horses encounter flags, shadows, temporary fencing and different going at successive events. Riders also learn how weather, field layout and time pressure influence the course, sometimes more effectively during training than in the arena.

The horse’s response on cross-country must be considered alongside its recovery. A fast, bold round that leaves the horse fatigued, anxious or reluctant to jump the following day may not represent genuine progression. Strong upper-level horses combine willingness with efficiency, saving energy through clear riding, balanced gallops and confident lines.

Rebuilding the Training Picture

Moving upward requires a plan rather than a collection of difficult exercises. Conditioning should support the specific work expected in competition: gallops over varied ground, hill work, elevation, changes of direction and recovery after demanding combinations. The surface matters too, because the same fence can produce a completely different effort on firm grass, deep going or prepared cross-country terrain.

Dressage work remains essential, even when it appears less dramatic than the jumping phases. Riders need precise aids, consistent impulsion and the ability to maintain rhythm when the test includes stronger movements or more demanding transitions. At the same time, excessive repetition can create stiffness or resistance, so the programme should allow for physical development and mental freshness.

Showjumping training should reproduce the pressures of the phase to come. Related fences, tight turns, open lines and jumping from a forward but controlled pace help build technique and decision-making. Competitions then provide information: which elements feel secure, where attention breaks down and whether the horse recovers quickly enough to maintain quality. Each result should influence the next training cycle rather than simply produce another number on a score sheet.

Matching Horse and Rider

The right horse is not necessarily the most experienced or the most expensive. It must suit the rider’s body, confidence and availability, while possessing the scope required for the intended level. Temperament is particularly important because upper-level courses ask for sustained concentration and confidence in unfamiliar territory.

Dom and Jimmie Schramm’s work illustrates how closely horse and rider must be matched as campaigns develop. Readers can meet the Schramm horses to see the individual combinations behind the competition results. Some horses may excel at young horse competitions, while others need time and targeted development before moving into FEI classes.

Rider development should continue throughout this process. Training the eye for lines, managing time without rushing, understanding cross-country related distances and adapting to different horse types are all part of moving up. The rider who can reduce unnecessary effort gives the horse a better chance to stay fresh, answer questions and perform consistently when the course becomes less forgiving.

Condition for Sustained Performance

Fitness is built through progressive work, adequate recovery and careful monitoring. A horse might look strong while lacking the endurance for several demanding cross-country kilometres, or appear athletic while carrying excess weight. Conditioning therefore needs to be assessed over time rather than inferred from appearance alone.

Regular veterinary care, balanced nutrition and consistent weight-tape records provide useful baselines. Body condition should be considered alongside topline, muscle development, appetite and recovery, since weight alone does not describe readiness to compete. This horse weight planning offers a practical starting point for monitoring changes without reducing condition to a single measurement.

Australian summers add another layer. Early starts can place horses into hot, humid conditions before the day has begun, so hydration, shade, cooling and transport schedules require careful attention. In southern states, the competition season often extends through winter and spring, offering cooler weather but sometimes wetter going. Riders should adjust their programmes to local conditions rather than copy a routine designed for another climate or hemisphere.

Planning the Australian Campaign

Competition planning begins with the calendar, the horse and the required recovery time. Venues such as Werribee near Melbourne, Sydney’s Penrith area and Adelaide’s equestrian centres draw riders from across the country and provide exposure to high-quality competition. Selecting one ambitious event may be less productive than entering a suitable progression that builds experience without overloading the horse.

Interstate travel adds cost and logistics. Some competitors use commercial horse transport, while others travel by road or air, and each option brings different scheduling requirements. Entries must allow enough time for acclimatisation, schooling, veterinary checks and rest. A major championship is rarely an isolated performance; it is the end of weeks of preparation.

Australian biosecurity and welfare obligations must also be part of that preparation. State and territory animal-welfare laws apply, while horse movement and disease-control requirements are administered through the federal Biosecurity Act 2015 and Bicon. Keeping identification, health records and movement documentation current helps prevent delays and protects horses wherever the campaign leads.

The Owner as a Strategic Partner

At upper levels, the rider may manage several horses, compete across regions and balance training with a demanding career. An owner who understands those pressures can contribute far more than financial support. Clear communication about expectations, budgets, competition priorities and the horse’s best interests allows everyone to work from the same plan.

Schramm Equestrian’s explanation of the owner’s role highlights the value of shared decision-making. This matters in the Australian eventing market, where clubs, private owners, syndicators and sponsors frequently support competitors at different stages. Good partnerships create stability rather than pressure, especially when a horse needs time between campaigns or a change of rider.

Progression goals should therefore be reviewed after every competition. A worthwhile target might be a first national start, completing a course at three-star level or producing a more consistent dressage score. If the horse and rider are not ready, adapting the plan protects long-term performance and keeps the partnership productive.

Move Forward With Purpose

The move to higher levels becomes manageable when training, competition and horse welfare are treated as one connected programme. Identify the skills the next level requires, test them in progressive settings and use each result to refine the plan. The objective is not to imitate another horse-and-rider combination, but to build confidence grounded in preparation and honest assessment.

Follow Schramm Equestrian’s stories and competition updates as Dom and Jimmie Schramm continue developing their horses, partnerships and eventing careers.