How is the dressage scored in eventing?
B · Beginner · The three tests · 2 of 6The judges mark each movement out of ten, as in pure dressage. The marks become a percentage. That percentage is subtracted from 100, and the result is the pair's penalty score. So 70 per cent becomes 30.0 penalties. Errors in the test take marks off before the sum is done.
How it works
- The rules that apply: the FEI Dressage Rules, "except where otherwise provided" in the eventing rules.
- Marks: "from zero (0) to ten (10) including half marks for each numbered movement and for the harmony mark".
- Harmony: one overall mark for the harmony of rider and horse, counted double.
- Each judge: the total of good marks, less errors, as a percentage of the maximum, to two decimals.
- The pair's percentage: the average of the judges' figures.
- Into penalties: the percentage "must be subtracted from 100 with the resulting figure being rounded to one decimal digit".
- Errors of course or test: two points for the first, four for the second and elimination for the third.
- Other errors: two points each for things such as entering with a whip, entering before the bell or entering more than 45 seconds after it.
- A fall: of rider or horse between the bell and the end of the test means elimination.
- Judges: three, at C, at M or H and at E or B. Two are allowed at some events.
- A video check: at the higher levels, if the judges differ by three marks or more on a flying change, halt, rein-back or walk pirouette, they review the video the same day.
The glossary has the dressage test (eventing) entry, the penalty points entry, the judges and eventing.
Tricky cases
A pair scores 75 per cent. What do they carry forward?
25.0 penalties. The percentage is subtracted from 100.
Is a lower dressage number better in eventing?
Yes. It is a penalty score. The pair with the lowest number leads after dressage.
A rider goes wrong twice in the test. Are they eliminated, as in pure dressage?
No. In eventing the first error costs two points and the second four. Elimination comes with the third.
Is the eventing test the same one the dressage specialists ride?
No. Eventing has its own set of tests for each level, published by the FEI.
Why the rule exists
Cross-country and jumping are scored in penalties, so the dressage has to be turned into the same currency before the three can be added. Subtracting from 100 does that, and it sets the weight of the test: four percentage points in the arena are worth exactly one fence down two days later.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Eventing | Percentage converted to penalties. Third error eliminates | FEI Eventing 544.2 |
| Pure dressage | Highest percentage wins. Second error eliminates | ../dressage/ set |
| Eventing | Three judges, or two | FEI Eventing 543.3 |
| Pure dressage at championships | Seven judges | ../dressage/ set |
From the rule book
Fédération Équestre Internationale, Eventing Rules 2026, articles 528.1.1, 542, 543 and 544. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: FEI Eventing Rules 2026 (PDF).