Cross Country
📘 Overview
Cross Country (also known as XC or Hunter Trials) is a long-format equestrian discipline where horse and rider navigate a course filled with natural-style jumps and terrain challenges. It's designed to simulate riding across open countryside, requiring stamina, boldness, and precise riding.
This discipline is all about covering distance quickly and cleanly while jumping solid, fixed obstacles like logs, water banks, ditches, and drops. Riders aim to complete the course within the optimum time with the fewest penalties.
Higher-level cross country courses increase in length, complexity, and obstacle difficulty, challenging even the most experienced riders.
🐎 Breed Regulations & Stats
Speed: 25–35 mph
Jump: 2.99–6.99 ft
Division Eligibility: D5, D4
Cross Country is open to all breeds, as long as they meet basic health and conditioning standards. However, some breeds are naturally better suited due to their athleticism and stamina.
Popular Cross Country Breeds:
Thoroughbred
Dutch Warmblood
Belgian Warmblood
Irish Sport Horse
Trakehner
Hanoverian
Swedish Warmblood
Anglo-Arabian
Oldenburger
Selle Français
Holsteiner
Quarter Horse
Westphalian
TB Crosses (e.g., TB × Dutch WB)
All horses must be:
A healthy weight
Free from injury and illness
In sound condition
Calm and obedient under pressure
🧑⚖️ Judging
Cross Country is a timed and penalty-based discipline. Riders are judged on how accurately and efficiently they complete the course.
⏱️ Timing:
Riders are timed from the start to the finish line
Multiple judges are recommended across the course for safety and fairness
Penalties are applied for faults and time issues
❌ Disqualifications
Three refusals, run-outs, or circles at the same obstacle
Fall of horse or rider anywhere on course
Jumping the wrong obstacle, wrong direction, or out of order
Skipping an obstacle
Going off-course
Exceeding the time limit (double optimum time)
Blocking another rider or unsafe overtaking
Ignoring judge instructions or failing to stop when told
⚠️ Penalties
1st refusal, run-out, or circle: +20 penalties
2nd refusal at same fence: +40 penalties
Each second over optimum time: +0.4 penalties
Each second more than 15 seconds under optimum: +0.4 penalties
📊 Scoring
Your score is a combination of jumping penalties + time penalties. The lowest score wins.
Key Terms:
Optimum Time: Ideal time for the course (based on course length & required pace)
Time Limit: Double the optimum time — going over = disqualification
Scoring Example:
Rider completes the course with 1 refusal (+20)
Finishes 8 seconds over optimum time (+3.2)
Final Score: 23.2 penalties
🧱 Course Building
Cross Country courses should be immersive, scenic, and challenging — built to feel like riding through real countryside.
Course Guidelines:
Must be a large, open space (natural or arena-based)
18–40 jumps total
All jumps must be clearly flagged or marked using heads, banners, or signs
Include features like:
🌲 Logs
🪵 Stone walls
🌊 Water crossings
💧 Drops and banks
🕳️ Ditches
➕ Combinations and angled lines
Decorate with terrain, plants, and structures for realism
Build Tip: Obstacles should be fixed and realistic — avoid floating jumps or bright, showy poles.
🎁 Prize Pot & Entry Fees
Training Event
$20
$1,000
Top 3
Regional Cross
$100
$5,000
Top 5
Championship XC
$200
$10,000+
Top 8
🚫 Important: All entry fees must be paid in in-game currency or item equivalents. Real-world transactions are strictly prohibited and will result in permanent IP bans for the host.
👗 Attire
Required Rider Gear:
Riding helmet
Protective vest
Breeches (any neutral color)
Competitor number
Gloves, spurs, and whips are optional
Required Horse Gear:
Saddle (black, brown, grey, or navy)
Girth & Bridle with bit
Martingale
Breastplate
Protective boots or bell boots
Mane neatly styled (natural or plaited)
📢 Hosting Guidelines
📜 Hosting Cross Country requires a license. Events must follow official Equinox standards.
✅ Host Requirements:
Must use a stopwatch or timing plugin to track each run
Recommended: 2–4 judges spread across the course
Use registered courses or submit your own for approval
Ensure all obstacles are safe and clearly marked
Publish course map and optimum time ahead of the event
All riders must be health-cleared and tack-checked
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