What do the bell and the red and white flags mean in show jumping?
I · Intermediate · The round · 1 of 6The bell is how the judges talk to the rider. It gives the signal to start and sets off a 45-second countdown to cross the start line. During a round it stops the rider or tells them to carry on. Every obstacle is jumped with the red flag on the right and the white flag on the left.
How it works
- To start: the bell gives "the signal to start" and activates "a 45-second countdown".
- Late: if the rider has not crossed the start line when the countdown ends, the clock starts anyway.
- Before the start: disobediences between the bell and the start line are not penalised. A fall in the arena before starting means the pair may not start.
- During the round: the bell stops the rider for any reason, and rings again to say the course is ready.
- Elimination: signalled "by prolonged and repeated ringing".
- Ignoring it: a rider who does not stop may be eliminated. One who restarts without waiting for the bell is eliminated.
- Flags: "the Athlete must pass between the flags with the red flag on their right and the white flag on their left", at obstacles, at the start and finish and at compulsory turning points.
- Start and finish lines: between 6 and 15 metres from the first and last obstacles, marked S and F.
- The course walk: the bell opens the arena for riders to inspect the course on foot and closes the inspection.
- The course plan: posted near the entrance at least 30 minutes before, showing the track, the table, the speed, the length and the time allowed.
- Before the round: jumping any obstacle in the arena before the start means elimination.
The glossary has the course walk, the obstacle, the arena, the judges and elimination.
Tricky cases
The countdown reaches zero while the rider is still cantering a circle. What happens?
The time of the round starts running. The rider is not eliminated at that point, but must jump the first obstacle within 45 seconds of the clock starting.
The horse spooks and refuses to go near the first fence before crossing the start. Is that a refusal?
No. Disobediences before the pair crosses the start line are not penalised.
A rider jumps a fence from the wrong side. What happens?
Elimination, for jumping an obstacle in the wrong direction.
The bell rings in the middle of a round and the rider carries on. What happens?
The rider continues at their own risk. The ground jury decides whether to eliminate them or let the round stand.
Why the rule exists
A rider cannot hear instructions across an arena, so one bell does every job. The flags fix the direction of each fence, which matters because many fences can physically be jumped from either side. The 45 seconds keep a class of sixty horses on time.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Normal round | Start within the 45-second countdown | FEI Jumping 241.6.1.2 |
| Immediate jump-off | The bell is rung again and the 45 seconds apply | FEI Jumping 218.1.5 |
| Obstacles without side supports | Tall flags at least 60 cm above the obstacle | FEI Jumping 241.5.2 |
From the rule book
Fédération Équestre Internationale, Jumping Rules, 28th edition (effective 1 January 2026), articles 241.2 to 241.6, 251, 257 and 263.4. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: FEI Jumping Rules 2026 (PDF).