{"id":6281,"date":"2025-09-17T12:16:38","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T11:16:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.citrus-lime.com\/redp\/?p=6281"},"modified":"2025-09-17T12:18:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T11:18:12","slug":"timings-bicton-international-horse-trials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.citrus-lime.com\/redp\/timings-bicton-international-horse-trials\/","title":{"rendered":"Timing The Long Format Cross Country at Bicton International Horse Trials"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Timing is one of the most crucial elements of the traditional Long Format Event. Unlike the more common modern short format competitions, the classic test of endurance and skill splits the Cross Country into four distinct phases \u2014 A, B, C, and D. Each phase has its own purpose, rhythm, and challenges, making time management a key factor for success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Riders not only need to conserve their horse\u2019s energy across the Roads and Tracks and Steeplechase phases, but also ensure they arrive at the start of Phase D \u2014 the main Cross Country course \u2014 with the horse fit, focused, and ready to perform. Balancing pace, stamina, and accuracy across all four phases can be difficult to navigate, but it is this challenge that makes the Long Format such a true test of partnership between horse and rider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the different time allocations in the long format event? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Optimum Time<\/strong>
This is the ideal<\/em> time calculated for each course, based on the length of the track and the required speed. Riders aim to finish as close to this time as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time Penalties<\/strong>
Go over the optimum, and you\u2019ll start to collect penalties \u2014 typically 0.4 points for every second over. These small additions can quickly make the difference on the leaderboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time Limit<\/strong>
Alongside the optimum, there\u2019s also a maximum time allowed. This is usually set at double the optimum time and acts as a firm cut-off. Exceed it, and it means elimination, no matter how well you\u2019ve ridden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advice from Cameron Beer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Getting the timings right across phases A, B, C, and D is absolutely vital \u2014 and your stopwatch will quickly become your best friend. With the set speeds and distances, you\u2019ll need to do a bit of quick maths to work out exactly where you should be at every single kilometre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“In my opinion, it is a very good idea to then write these calculations on a piece of paper and sellotape it to your arm so that you know where you should be at every Kilometer mark. It’s best for it to be laminated or in something to stop it from getting wet.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For Phase A, I would be counting up with my watch. Phase B I would be counting down and then I would let my watch count up again for Phase C. If you’re having a bit of trouble with this, I would advise chatting to your coach or a British Eventing Howden Way Coach to ask for any advice.”<\/p>\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\tCheck out our Youtube Playlist for more tips from Cameron Beer <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

Cross Country Advice from British Eventing <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Each Cross Country phase is timed separately, so if you lose a little time in one phase, you can\u2019t make it up in the next \u2014 every section counts on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you go over the time allowed in any phase, unfortunately it does mean elimination \u2014 so keeping an eye on your timings is really important. Don\u2019t worry though, the optimum time for each phase is easy to work out: just divide the distance by the set speed, as shown below:<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Phase A<\/strong> – Roads and Tracks <\/p>\n\n\n\n