International Event Competitions

Eventing is a tremendously competitive sport. International events are held all over the world but there are of course a few key events in the eventing calendar. International eventing has two categories: CIC (Concours International Combé) and CCI (Concours Complet International). The difference between the two was that there were four phases of cross country (A,B,C and D) in CCI and only one phase in CIC, which was just the 'D' phase. However, the FEI have since abolished the four phases in CCI eventing and replaced it with one longer phase. CIC has fewer obstacles and different distances than CCI, making CCI the higher level of competition. Each of these is split into levels indicated by stars, with 4* being the highest in CCI and 3* being the highest in CIC. The most prestigious competitions are the CCI**** competions, with only 6 held each season. These are the Landrover Burghley horse trials and Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in Great Britain, Luhmuhlen CCI**** presented by DHL in Germany, Les 4 Etoiles de Pau in France, the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event in the USA and the Australian Internation Three Day Event in Adelaide.

Philip Dutton at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event (CCI****) in 2007
Author: Ronald C. Yochum, Jr.