How does the show jumping work in eventing?
B · Beginner · The three tests · 3 of 6Like an ordinary jumping round, with a few differences. A rail down costs four penalties. A first refusal costs four and a second means elimination. Each second over the time allowed costs 0.4 of a penalty, not one. The fences are lower than in pure jumping, and there is no jump-off.
How it works
- The rules that apply: the FEI Jumping Rules, except where the eventing rules say otherwise.
- The object: "to prove that the Horse and Athlete are well trained in the specialist discipline of Jumping", without finding a winner of the test alone.
- A knock-down: four penalties.
- First run-out, refusal or unauthorised circle: four penalties. Second: elimination.
- A fall: of rider or horse means elimination.
- Time: "0.4 penalties per commenced second" over the time allowed. Finishing early is not rewarded.
- The time limit: exceeding it means elimination.
- Height: a maximum of 1.30 metres at five star, down to 1.10 at one star.
- The course: about 600 metres with 10 to 13 obstacles, including two or three doubles or a double and a treble.
- Not allowed: closed combinations and a water jump. A water ditch with rails over it is.
- Short format: a pair with 20 or more obstacle penalties in a jumping test held before the cross-country may not start the cross-country.
- Before it in the long format: a second horse inspection.
The glossary has the eventing jumping test entry, the knock-down, the refusal, the time fault entry and the clear round.
Tricky cases
A rider is three seconds over the time allowed. How many penalties?
1.2. Each second commenced over the time costs 0.4.
Are time penalties the same as in pure jumping?
No. Pure jumping gives one penalty a second. Eventing gives 0.4.
The top two are level after the jumping. Is there a jump-off?
No. Ties are broken by a set sequence, starting with the better cross-country score.
In a short-format event a horse has five rails down in the jumping. Can it still go cross-country?
No. With 20 or more obstacle penalties in the jumping test, the pair is eliminated and may not start the cross-country.
Why the rule exists
After a long cross-country the day before, the jumping asks whether the horse is still sound, supple and careful. The fences are modest because the test is of fitness and training and not of scope. With scores often a rail apart, it decides most competitions.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Eventing | 0.4 a second, fences to 1.30 m, no jump-off | FEI Eventing 553; FEI Eventing Annex B |
| Pure jumping | One penalty a second, fences to 1.70 m, jump-offs | ../jumping/ set |
| Four and five star | 375 metres a minute | FEI Eventing Annex B |
| One to three star | 350 metres a minute | FEI Eventing Annex B |
From the rule book
Fédération Équestre Internationale, Eventing Rules 2026, articles 524.2.2, 528.1.3, 550 to 553 and Annex B. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: FEI Eventing Rules 2026 (PDF).