United States Eventing Association

In the March 2012 issue of Eventing USA, we compiled a list of friendly rule reminders to help our members get the competition season started off on the right hoof. We make every effort to ensure all the information we publish in our magazine is factual and correct, but it has come to our attention that three statements in the article “Hoof Notes: Your Cheat Sheet for the 2012 Eventing Season” on page 20, were incorrect or unclear.

1. Under the “Cross-Country and Show Jumping” heading, we incorrectly stated “On cross-country…the second refusal at a combination is cause for elimination.”

EV142.3c in the official USEF Rules for Eventing states: “At an obstacle composed of several elements (A B obstacle), a horse may be disobedient and refuse or run-out only twice in all without incurring elimination.”

An obstacle composed of several elements, also called a combination, is treated as a single fence, and the third refusal at a fence on cross-country results in elimination. Therefore, this rule indicates that a horse and rider may continue on course after two refusals at a combination but are eliminated after the third.

For instance, a horse and rider may continue if they have one refusal or run-out at element A and one refusal or run-out at element B, but two refusals or run-outs at element A followed by one refusal or run-out at element B will result in elimination. Likewise, three refusals or run-outs at either element will result in elimination.

The fourth refusal or run-out on the entire cross-country course results in elimination.

2. Under the “Cross-Country and Show Jumping” heading, the bullet point that reads: “At the Preliminary level and above, the second refusal on course results in elimination, and at Training level and below, the third refusal on course results in elimination” should state that this rule applies to show jumping only. Refer to EV153.4 and EV154.2v-w

3. Under the “Dressage” heading of the article, it was stated: “Do not talk to or cluck at your horse in the dressage ring. You will not get eliminated, but you will incur two penalty points for an error. Three errors equals elimination.”

EV134.7 states: “The use of the voice in any way whatsoever or clicking the tongue once or repeatedly is a serious fault involving the deduction of at least two marks from those that would otherwise have been awarded for the movement where this occurred.”

Therefore, the use of voice is not an error and is not cumulative to elimination, just a deducted score.

Actual errors of course or test – such as transitioning at the incorrect letter or not putting the reins in one hand at the salute – will incur two penalty points for the first error, four penalty points for the second, and elimination for the third.

These “Hoof Notes” were compiled to help competitors remember a few key matters, but it is important to always consult the official USEF Rules for Eventing for rule confirmation and reference.

Download a FREE digital version of the USEF Rules for Eventing at www.useventing.com/competitions/rules or purchase a hardcopy at www.ShopUSEA.com.