Eventing rules rules, for watching
Start with the rules you see all the time, then the ones that change results.
Settling an argument? Search all 14 rules
- What is eventing, and how is it scored?
- What do "long format", "short format" and the stars mean in eventing?
- How is the dressage scored in eventing?
- How does the show jumping work in eventing?
- How is the overall result worked out in eventing, and how are ties broken?
- What is the "trot-up" in eventing, and when can a horse be withdrawn by the officials?
- What is the cross-country in eventing, and what are the fences like?
- How do time penalties work on the cross-country?
- What does a refusal cost on the cross-country?
- What happens if a horse jumps a narrow fence but knocks the flag or goes half outside it?
- What is a frangible fence, and why is there a penalty for breaking one?
- What happens if a rider or horse falls on the cross-country?
- What is "dangerous riding" in eventing, and what is the penalty?
- How does a cross-country round start, and what happens if a rider is held up on the course?
Where these rules come from
| Tag | Document |
|---|---|
| FEI Eventing plus article number | Fédération Équestre Internationale, Eventing Rules 2026 (clean version, without the tack annex). Read for this set: articles 500, 502, 524, 525.1, 528, 538, 542 to 553, Annex A and Annex B |
| R | "Why the rule exists", or a point reasoned from the rule, not stated in it |
| C | Common usage or general knowledge, not a rule |
All checked on 14 October 2026.
Not covered: competitions and series, categories and participation limits (501, 503, 504); administration and officials (505 to 515); the minimum eligibility requirements in detail (516 to 522); rider welfare, medical cards and concussion (523, Annex C); yellow warning cards (526, 527); starters, draws, timetable, warm-up and access to courses (529 to 537); tack (539) and the separate FEI tack document; unauthorised assistance (540); the Cross Country Guide for Officials and the diagrams of faults at obstacles, which are separate FEI documents; the Olympic format, which is in the Regulations for the Equestrian Events at the Olympic Games.
Not covered: competitions and series, categories and participation limits (501, 503, 504); administration and officials (505 to 515); the minimum eligibility requirements in detail (516 to 522); rider welfare, medical cards and concussion (523, Annex C); yellow warning cards (526, 527); starters, draws, timetable, warm-up and access to courses (529 to 537); tack (539) and the separate FEI tack document; unauthorised assistance (540); the Cross Country Guide for Officials and the diagrams of faults at obstacles, which are separate FEI documents; the Olympic format, which is in the Regulations for the Equestrian Events at the Olympic Games.