In 2005, Maloney was aiming to the make the Ontario Young Riders team with her Thoroughbred mare when she suffered a devastating fall and broke her neck.

The keyhole obstacle, as the name suggests, requires horses to jump through a 'hole' often carved out of brush. It doesn't usually make an appearance on course until the preliminary or higher levels.

Your event horse thrives on galloping and jumping in the cross-country and stadium phases, but dressage may be a different story. Instead of being relaxed and obedient, your horse gets tense and excited, resulting in a less-than-stellar dressage ride which can knock you out of the ribbons right from the start.

Around the barn, Rachel McDonough's Irish Rhythm (Oliver) has been dubbed 'Mighty Mouse.'

Working with three-year-olds.

Cristina Barbour, who operates Echo Hill Eventing with husband Curtis in Shelburne, ON, was having ongoing bit issues with her Thoroughbred, Rather Loud.

Eventing requires riders to be good at three different skills, and stadium jumping is the phase where many riders struggle. Sally Sainsbury shares some tips to avoid messing up your good score with a poor stadium round.

The luck of the Irish was with Rebecca David-McIsaac when she took a chance on an injured advanced-level event horse.

Starting two-year-olds

While a strong gallop eats up the cross-country course, a quality canter is imperative to score good dressage marks and have the rhythm and balance needed for stadium jumping.