What do "long format", "short format" and the stars mean in eventing?
I · Intermediate · The three tests · 1 of 3The stars show difficulty, from one star up to five. The format shows the shape of the competition. In the long format the cross-country is long and comes before the jumping, on separate days. In the short format the cross-country is shorter and more intense and preferably comes last.
How it works
- Formats: "define some of the technical aspects of the Competition (duration of the Competition, intensity of the Cross Country Test, order of tests, etc.)".
- Long format: over three or more days. Dressage, then cross-country the next day, then jumping the day after.
- What it asks: a cross-country course "of such a length that the Horse is required to be supremely fit and stamina will be required for success".
- Short format: over one or more days. Dressage first, followed by jumping and cross-country.
- Its cross-country: of similar difficulty for the star level, "but the course is shorter and the intensity of efforts will be higher".
- Order in the short format: "The Cross Country Test will preferably take place after the Jumping Test."
- Stars: "a progressive star system ranging from the lower level 1* to the higher 5*".
- Five star, long: a cross-country course of 6,270 to 6,840 metres with 40 to 45 jumping efforts, at 570 metres a minute.
- Championships and Olympic Games: 5,600 to 5,800 metres with 38 to 42 efforts, at the same speed.
- Qualifying: riders and horses must have reached set results at lower levels before moving up.
The glossary has eventing, cross-country, the optimum time and the eventing jumping test entry.
Tricky cases
Is a short-format event easier?
No. The fences are of similar difficulty for the star level. The course is shorter, and the efforts come closer together.
Does the jumping always come last?
No. In the long format it does. In the short format the cross-country preferably comes after the jumping.
Is the Olympic cross-country the longest of all?
No.
Can a rider enter a five-star event as their first international?
No. Minimum eligibility requirements must be met at lower levels first. The details are in a chapter that was not read in full.
Why the rule exists
A horse can do only a few long cross-country rounds in a year, so the short format lets pairs compete and qualify more often with less wear. The star ladder, with required results at each step, is a safety measure: nobody meets a five-star course without having shown they can handle four.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Long format, five star | 6,270 to 6,840 m, 40 to 45 efforts, 11 to 12 minutes | FEI Eventing Annex A |
| Championships and Games | 5,600 to 5,800 m, 38 to 42 efforts, about 10 minutes | FEI Eventing Annex A |
| Short format, four star | 3,420 to 3,990 m, 30 to 35 efforts, 6 to 7 minutes | FEI Eventing Annex A |
| Horse inspections | Two in the long format. The first is optional in the short | FEI Eventing 524.2 |
From the rule book
Fédération Équestre Internationale, Eventing Rules 2026, articles 502, 516 to 520 (headings only), 524.2 and Annex A. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: FEI Eventing Rules 2026 (PDF).