What gets a rider eliminated in show jumping?
I · Intermediate · The round · 4 of 6A second disobedience, a fall, jumping the wrong course, going past the time limit and outside help are the main causes. So are several 45-second limits: to jump the first fence, to jump the next one and for a horse that resists. Elimination ends that competition for the pair and nothing more.
How it works
- What it means: the rider "with the Horse in question may not continue in the Competition at issue".
- Disobedience: a second one in the round.
- A fall: of horse or rider during the round.
- The course: omitting an obstacle, jumping one out of order or in the wrong direction, or one that is not on the course.
- Time: exceeding the time limit.
- 45 seconds: taking more than 45 seconds to jump the first obstacle once the clock is running, to jump the next obstacle or to jump the last and cross the finish. Also a horse resisting for 45 seconds in a row.
- Combinations: not jumping every element again after a refusal, or not jumping each element separately.
- The bell: jumping without waiting for it after an interruption, or jumping an obstacle before the start.
- Leaving: horse or rider leaving the arena without permission.
- Equipment: not complying with the tack rules, or jumping with the helmet's chin strap undone.
- Devices: using a mobile phone, another electronic device or earphones in the arena during a competition.
- At the jury's discretion: not entering promptly when called, unauthorised assistance and not stopping at the bell.
- Welfare: the president of the ground jury may eliminate a pair in the interest of horse or rider, with no appeal.
- One fence on the way out: an eliminated rider may jump one obstacle of the course, except after a fall.
The glossary has elimination, the disobedience, the fall, the refusal and the judges.
Tricky cases
Is an eliminated rider out of the whole show?
No. Elimination applies to the competition at issue. Disqualification is the wider penalty and is dealt with separately.
What is the difference between "retired" and "eliminated"?
A rider who retires chooses to stop. An eliminated rider is stopped under the rules. In a jump-off both are placed equal last.
The chin strap comes undone between two parts of a double. Is the rider eliminated for jumping the second part?
No. The rule excuses a rider when it was unsafe to stop immediately, and gives the middle of a combination as its example.
A rider answers a phone call while waiting in the arena. What happens?
Elimination. Using a mobile phone in the competition arena during a competition is on the compulsory list.
Why the rule exists
Most of the list marks the point where a round has stopped being a fair attempt at the course: the horse will not go, the pair has parted company or the track was not followed. The 45-second limits stop a struggling round from dragging on, which is kinder to the horse and to everyone waiting.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory eliminations | The ground jury must eliminate | FEI Jumping 263.4 |
| Discretionary eliminations | The ground jury may eliminate | FEI Jumping 263.5 |
| In a Nations Cup | Two eliminations in a team of four put the whole team out of the round | FEI Jumping 226.8.1 |
| Disqualification | A separate article, covering the whole event | FEI Jumping 264 |
From the rule book
Fédération Équestre Internationale, Jumping Rules, 28th edition (effective 1 January 2026), articles 207.1, 218.3, 263 and 264 (heading only). Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: FEI Jumping Rules 2026 (PDF).