Oh yes, don't get off your horse to move forward on a competitive ride. Eager joggers better stick with endurance riding. Both these distance ride types use a pre-ride inspection of your horse as the basis for judging him. The judges observe and take note of your horse's way of going and markings before your start, give you 100 points. When it's over, the inspection is repeated and they subtract points for all evidence of wear and tear.
Horses are incredibly tough athletes.
People ask me how I stand riding so long, so fast. If I've done the miles it requires to prepare my horse for the ride, the actual event is usually a breeze. I wait 'til mine are 6 years old. If you aim to win and you are starting from scratch, choose an Arab. They excel in these competitions.