What happens if a horse jumps a narrow fence but knocks the flag or goes half outside it?
I · Intermediate · Cross-country · 3 of 3It depends on where the horse's shoulders went. If the head, neck and both shoulders passed inside the flags, the fence is clear. If one shoulder was outside but the head and neck were inside, it is a missed flag, at 9 penalties. If the head and neck were outside as well, it is a run-out, at 20.
How it works
- Clear, no penalties: "the head, neck and points of both shoulders pass between the extremities of the obstacle as flagged".
- Missing a flag, 9 penalties: "the point of a shoulder fails to pass between the extremities of the obstacle as flagged". The head and neck must have passed inside.
- Run-out, 20 penalties: the head, neck and point of either shoulder fail to pass between the flags.
- If a flag is knocked off: the hindquarters must have jumped the height of the solid part of the fence. If not, it is a run-out.
- After a run-out: the rider must present the horse again. Carrying on without doing so means elimination.
- After a missed flag: the rider continues with the 9 penalties.
- Evidence: only the official video recording may be used. Officials say before the start which recording that is.
- Reviews: the process for reviewing faults at obstacles is explained by the technical delegate at the event briefing.
The glossary has the run-out and missed flag entry, the obstacle, cross-country and the judges.
Tricky cases
The horse jumps the fence and knocks the flag flat with its hip. Is that a penalty?
No, if the head, neck and both shoulders were inside the flags and the hindquarters jumped the solid part.
One shoulder is outside the flag but the horse did jump the fence. What is the score?
9 penalties, for a missed flag.
Does a rider with a missed flag have to go back and jump the fence again?
No. Only a run-out has to be retaken.
A rider thinks they were clear and carries on, but the judges later rule it a run-out. What happens?
Elimination, since they continued without presenting again. That is why riders in doubt often go back.
Why the rule exists
Narrow fences and angled corners are how modern courses test accuracy without getting bigger, and at speed a horse can jump one with part of its body outside the flag. The middle penalty exists so that a near miss is not scored the same as a horse that ducked out altogether.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-country | Three outcomes: 0, 9 or 20 | FEI Eventing 549.2 |
| Show jumping | Jumping outside the flags is a run-out and the fence must be jumped again | ../jumping/ set |
| Earlier editions | The missed-flag penalty has changed over the years. Check the edition in force | General knowledge |
From the rule book
Fédération Équestre Internationale, Eventing Rules 2026, articles 548.1 and 549.2. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: FEI Eventing Rules 2026 (PDF).