What happens if a rider or horse falls in show jumping?
I · Intermediate · The round · 3 of 6A fall of the rider or the horse during the round means elimination. A rider has fallen when they are separated from the horse and touch the ground, or need support to get back in the saddle. A horse has fallen when its shoulder and quarters touch the ground. Both must be checked before competing again.
How it works
- A rider's fall: being "separated from their Horse, either voluntarily or involuntarily, in such a way that they touch the ground or need to use some form of support or outside assistance to get back in the saddle".
- Benefit of the doubt: if it is not clear that the rider used support to avoid a fall, the rider gets it.
- A horse's fall: "the shoulder and quarters have touched the ground or the obstacle and the ground".
- During the round: elimination.
- Before the start: not eliminated, but not allowed to start that round. The result reads "did not start".
- After the finish line: no elimination from the round that has ended.
- An immediate jump-off: a fall after the finish puts the pair out of it, placed equal last in the jump-off.
- Medical and vet: the rider is checked by the event's medical service and the horse by the veterinary delegate before either may compete again.
- No practice jump: an eliminated rider may normally jump one obstacle on the way out. Not after a fall.
- For the horse's sake: the president of the ground jury may ring the bell to eliminate a pair during a round for welfare or safety. That decision is final.
The glossary has the fall, elimination, the athlete, the horse and the horse inspection.
Tricky cases
A rider is thrown on to the horse's neck and scrambles back without touching the ground. Is that a fall?
No, unless they needed support or outside help to get back into the saddle. In doubt, the rider gets the benefit.
The horse stumbles on to its knees and gets up. Is that a fall of the horse?
No. A horse has fallen when its shoulder and quarters have touched the ground.
A rider falls off after crossing the finish line with a clear round. Does the clear round stand?
Yes. A fall after the finish does not bring elimination. If a jump-off follows immediately they are out of it.
Can an eliminated rider jump a fence to give the horse confidence before leaving?
Yes, one obstacle of the course, but not when the elimination was for a fall.
Why the rule exists
A rider who has hit the ground may be concussed and a horse that has gone down may be hurt, and neither is the best judge of that in the moment. Ending the round at once, and requiring a check before the next one, takes the decision out of their hands.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| In the arena, during the round | Elimination | FEI Jumping 248.2.2.2 |
| In the arena, before the start | Did not start | FEI Jumping 248.2.2.1 |
| In the warm-up | May compete once cleared by the checks | FEI Jumping 248.2.2.4 |
| Dressage and eventing | A fall also eliminates, under those rules | ../dressage/ and ../eventing/ sets |
From the rule book
Fédération Équestre Internationale, Jumping Rules, 28th edition (effective 1 January 2026), articles 217.1, 248 and 263.1 to 263.4. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: FEI Jumping Rules 2026 (PDF).