Horse-lover's delight in Wayne

It's like a triathlon for horses.

Speed. Endurance. Muscle.

These 1,000-plus-pound beauties have everything it takes to jump waterfalls, dodge tree trunks and -- most importantly -- do as they're told.

You can see it yourself this weekend at the Wellpride American Eventing Championships in Wayne.

The competition is a three-part sport. Dressage tests a horse's discipline, suppleness and attentiveness with a series of prescribed actions. Cross-country puts them on a 1,840-meter course and up against 19 obstacles, including water falls and tree trunks. Stadium jumping is usually a crowd-pleaser, with jumps nearly 4 feet high.

The challengers comprise an all-star lineup. There are more than 500 competing equestrians, including three-time Olympian Karen O'Connor and 2004 Olympic bronze medalists Darren Chiacchia and John Williams.

The horses are thoroughbreds, Oldenburgs and Clydesdales, among other breeds. They weigh as little as 800 pounds and as much as 1,250. They're from across the Midwest and beyond.

Everything's happening between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. today and Sunday at Lamplight Equestrian Center and Pratt's Wayne Woods Forest Preserve along Dunham Road, just north of Army Trail Road. Dressage and cross-country continues today, with stadium jumping Sunday. Admission is free.

Why go? "Aside from horses being beautiful animals, it's sort of like watching a well-developed athlete," says organizer Beth Stoker, who is chairwoman of the U.S. Eventing Association Area 4. "Just because you're not a gymnast doesn't mean you won't enjoy watching."

Ever wonder how horses from as far Texas and South Carolina get to little old Wayne? And how are they cared for when they get here? See Page x.