What is the cross-country in eventing, and what are the fences like?
I · Intermediate · Cross-country · 2 of 3A gallop of several kilometres over open ground with 25 to 45 jumping efforts at solid fences: logs, hedges, ditches, banks, drops and at least one involving water. The fixed part of a fence is no higher than 1.20 metres even at the top level. Each fence is numbered and jumped with the red flag on the right.
How it works
- Solid: obstacles "must be fixed and imposing in shape and appearance".
- What counts as an obstacle: only one marked with a red and a white flag and numbered or lettered.
- Flags: a rider "must leave a red flag on their right and a white flag on their left".
- Numbers and letters: each obstacle has a number. Elements of one obstacle are lettered A, B, C and must be taken in order.
- Heights: the fixed part up to 1.20 metres at four and five star, and brush up to 1.45 metres.
- Spreads: up to 2 metres across the top and 3 metres at the base at five star.
- Drops: up to 2 metres on the landing side.
- Water: every course must have at least one obstacle related to water. Water to be crossed is no deeper than 35 centimetres.
- Shape: no sharp or square edges. The front of a spread must be sloped or rounded.
- Alternatives: some fences offer a slower, easier route. These are marked with a black line on the flags.
- The course plan: given to riders in advance, with the obstacles, the distance, the optimum time and the time limit.
- The finish: 20 to 50 metres after the last obstacle.
The glossary has cross-country, the obstacle, the combination, the frangible device and the optimum time.
Tricky cases
Do the fences fall down if the horse hits them?
No, in general. They are fixed. Some are fitted with devices that let a rail drop under a heavy impact, which carries a penalty.
Is the brush on top of a hedge part of the height limit?
It has its own limit. At five star the solid part may be 1.20 metres and the height with brush 1.45 metres. A horse is expected to brush through the top.
Can a rider jump the easier alternative at a hard fence?
Yes, without jumping penalties. It takes longer, and time over the optimum costs penalties.
Does the horse have to go through water?
Yes. Each course must include at least one obstacle related to water.
Why the rule exists
Cross-country is the test the sport is built round: a horse and rider reading natural ground at speed. Because the fences do not fall, the rules control their size, their edges and what they are made of. The limits on water depth and drops come from accidents the sport has learnt from.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Five star, long format | 6,270 to 6,840 m, 40 to 45 efforts | FEI Eventing Annex A |
| Championships and Games | 5,600 to 5,800 m, 38 to 42 efforts, top spread 1.80 m | FEI Eventing Annex A |
| One star | Fixed height 1.05 m, drops to 1.40 m | FEI Eventing Annex A |
| Show jumping | Poles that fall, in an arena | ../jumping/ set |
From the rule book
Fédération Équestre Internationale, Eventing Rules 2026, articles 546, 547 and Annex A. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: FEI Eventing Rules 2026 (PDF).