How does a cross-country round start, and what happens if a rider is held up on the course?
A · Advanced · Cross-country · 5 of 5Riders set off one at a time from a start box, on the starter's signal. If a fence ahead is blocked, an official waves a red flag and the rider must stop. The time they are held is taken off. A rider being caught by the next one must clear the way. Jumping a fence out of order means elimination.
How it works
- The start box: an enclosure about 5 by 5 metres with an open front. The rider must start from inside it.
- The start: on the starter's instruction. A deliberate early start can mean elimination.
- No flying start: the horse need not stand still, but the rider must get no advantage from a flying start.
- Help: an attendant may lead the horse in and hold it until the signal. From then on no assistance may be given.
- In order: all obstacles, elements and compulsory passages must be taken in order, "under penalty of elimination".
- No second go: retaking an obstacle already jumped means elimination, except when coming back after a refusal.
- Wrong way: jumping an obstacle in the wrong direction means elimination.
- Stopped: an official in the rider's path "shall wave a red flag, which indicates that the Athlete must stop". Failure to stop can mean elimination.
- Time back: the time from passing the stopping point to passing it again after the restart is deducted.
- Being overtaken: the rider in front "must quickly clear the way".
- Overtaking: only at a safe and suitable place.
- Helmet: jumping without headgear or with the harness unfastened can mean elimination.
The glossary has cross-country, the optimum time, the obstacle, elimination and the judges.
Tricky cases
The horse is jogging and spinning in the start box. Is that a false start?
No. The horse does not have to stand still. The rider must not deliberately start before the signal or gain from a flying start.
A rider is stopped for five minutes and then finishes ten seconds over the optimum time on the clock. Do they get time penalties?
No. The five minutes are deducted, which leaves them well inside the time.
A rider jumps fence 12 before fence 11 and then goes back for 11. Does that save them?
No. Jumping an obstacle in the wrong order means elimination.
A slower rider is caught on a narrow woodland track. Must they pull over?
Yes. A rider about to be overtaken must quickly clear the way, and wilfully obstructing is dangerous riding.
Why the rule exists
Horses start a few minutes apart on a course several kilometres long, out of sight of most officials, so the rules have to cover what happens when rounds run into each other. Stopping riders with a flag and giving the time back means nobody is tempted to gallop at a fence where someone is on the ground.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-country | A start box and a starter's signal | FEI Eventing 545.1 |
| Jumping test | A bell and a start line, under the jumping rules | ../jumping/ set |
| After a refusal | Elements already jumped may be retaken | FEI Eventing 549.4 |
| Black-flagged alternatives | The rider may switch between routes without penalty | FEI Eventing 549 |
From the rule book
Fédération Équestre Internationale, Eventing Rules 2026, articles 538.1.1, 545.1, 545.3, 545.5, 545.7, 548.3 and 549.4. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: FEI Eventing Rules 2026 (PDF).