eventing

noun

event·​ing i-ˈven-tiŋ How to pronounce eventing (audio)
: an equestrian competition that typically takes place over 3 days and includes the events of dressage, cross-country, and show jumping
Eventing is essentially a triathlon for horses, including a dressage test of mandatory figures, an endurance phase of cross-country galloping and jumping and show jumping.Ellen Filmer, The Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), 18 Dec. 2009
Despite having the most off-putting name in sport, three-day eventing is always a whale of a show.Newsweek, 5 Aug. 1996
An Olympic sport since 1912, eventing originated as a way to test the ability and endurance of military horses.Katie Thomas, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2008

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eventing was in 1965

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Cite this Entry

“Eventing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eventing. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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