What is the "trot-up" in eventing, and when can a horse be withdrawn by the officials?
A · Advanced · The three tests · 1 of 5Before the dressage and again before the jumping, each horse is shown to the ground jury and a vet, standing and trotting in hand on a firm surface. A horse judged unfit is eliminated. Horses are also examined by a vet straight after the cross-country, and officials can remove a lame or exhausted horse at any time.
How it works
- On arrival: a veterinary examination to check identity, vaccinations and health.
- First inspection: before the dressage, not more than 24 hours before it starts.
- The panel: the ground jury and the veterinary delegate together, with the president of the ground jury in charge.
- How: horses "must be inspected in hand, at rest and in movement on a firm level, clean but not slippery surface".
- The power: the panel has "the right and the duty to eliminate from the Competition any Horse that they judge is unfit", for lameness, lack of condition or any other reason.
- The holding box: a doubtful horse may be sent aside to be examined by a vet. The rider may then present it again.
- A split vote: the president of the ground jury has the casting vote.
- Second inspection: before the jumping test, by the same panel.
- Open: inspections are open to the public.
- After the cross-country: a vet examines each horse in the finishing area.
- During the competition: the ground jury may eliminate any horse that is lame or unfit to continue.
- After a horse fall: the rider must have an interview with the ground jury or technical delegate.
- Short format: the first inspection is optional. The second is compulsory if jumping is the last test.
The glossary has the horse inspection, elimination, the judges, the horse and eventing.
Tricky cases
A horse is sound for the cross-country and stiff the next morning. Can it still jump?
It depends on the second inspection. If the panel judges it unfit, it is eliminated, however well placed it is.
Can a rider send a groom to trot the horse up?
No, not under the article read, which says horses are "presented by their respective Athlete".
The panel sends a horse to the holding box. Is it out?
No, not yet. A vet examines it there, and the rider may present it again for a decision.
Can a horse be stopped in the middle of the cross-country for its own good?
Yes. The ground jury may eliminate a horse that is unfit to continue at any time, and pressing a tired horse is listed as dangerous riding.
Why the rule exists
Eventing asks more of a horse's body than any other Olympic equestrian sport, and the inspections put a check before the effort and another after the hardest part of it. Holding them in public is deliberate: the sport shows openly that horses which are not right do not go on.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Long format | Two inspections | FEI Eventing 524.2.1; FEI Eventing 524.2.2 |
| Short format | The first is optional, with a vet's check on arrival in its place | FEI Eventing 524.2.3 |
| Dressage and jumping | Inspections under the veterinary regulations | ../dressage/ and ../jumping/ sets |
From the rule book
Fédération Équestre Internationale, Eventing Rules 2026, articles 524.1 to 524.4 and 525.1.1. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: FEI Eventing Rules 2026 (PDF).