Equestrian XC Tops

XC tops are the most essential element of eventing equipment for any serious competitor. A custom equestrian xc top allows riders to create a unique style for their cross-country eventing uniform, while also keeping warm and comfortable during the long course. Using Equetech’s online design tool, riders can create a shirt with any colour, pattern and sponsor or club logos they choose. Matching hat silks are also available to complete the look.

Cross country, sometimes called XC or hunter trials, is one of the three disciplines that make up the sport of eventing. It is a test of speed, endurance and jumping ability. It requires a horse and rider to be quick-thinking and agile in order to negotiate the many obstacles on a largely spread-out, countryside course. A well-conditioned and fit horse is also important, as he needs to be able to keep up with the pace of the course without becoming overworked.

Each rider and horse will compete in a series of obstacle courses, with the goal being to finish with as few faults as possible. The lowest score wins. Faults are awarded if a fence is knocked down or misses, and penalties can be added if a rider is riding in a way that could endanger their mount or others on course. A rider may also choose to retire (R) if their horse is deemed too ill or injured to continue, which results in an immediate disqualification.

Courses are designed to increase in difficulty as they progress, from a series of simple roll-top and log jumps that help the horse and rider settle into their galloping rhythm and build confidence, to more technical elements such as banks, water and ditches. The final fences are usually easier, allowing the pair to gallop across the finish line and finish the competition on a high note.

Some of the more difficult fences on a cross-country course include the table (which has a rounded top that the horse must clear in one go), the trakehner (which is a tyre fence with a solid base) and the angled fence (which has two single fences positioned close together but at an angle so that the horse can’t take a full stride between them). The footing of the course, which is the condition of the ground, is also taken into account, as horses are not accustomed to walking on muddy or boggy areas.