What gets a horse and rider eliminated from a dressage test?

• Lameness: in a case of marked lameness the judge at C tells the rider they are eliminated. "There is no appeal against this decision."
• Resistance: any resistance that prevents the test continuing and lasts longer than 20 seconds. Sooner, if it endangers anyone.
• A fall: "In the case of a fall of a Horse and/or an Athlete, the Athlete will be eliminated."
• Leaving the arena: a horse leaving completely, "with all four (4) feet", between the beginning and end of the test.
• Outside help: by voice, signs, earphones or electronic devices, from the moment the pair enters the space round the arena.
• Blood: if the judge at C suspects fresh blood, the horse is stopped and checked. If there is fresh blood it is eliminated, and "the elimination is final".
• Blood found afterwards: in the mouth or the spur area at the check after the test, elimination. Elsewhere on the body, a vet examines the horse and the result may stand.
• Not up to the level: a pair unable to fulfil the requirements of the level.
• Welfare: a performance that is against the welfare of the horse or shows abusive riding.
• Equipment: riding with equipment that is not permitted.
• Late: not entering within 90 seconds of the bell without a valid reason.
• In the results: shown as "eliminated", which is different from "retired" (the rider stopped by choice) and "withdrawn" (did not start).

The glossary has elimination, the fall, the horse inspection, the judges and the error of course entry.

Most of the list protects the horse. A lame or bleeding horse is taken out at once and without argument because the alternative is a discussion while it keeps working. The rest protect the test: a pair that falls, leaves the arena or is being coached from outside is no longer doing what the others did.