- Ride times posted by 7:00pm the day before.
- Opening date for HT's will be the Tuesday prior to the date that falls six weeks before the first day of the competition.
- Entries must be postmarked or date stamped by the closing date.
- Qualifications must be completed by the closing date with the exception of Three-Day Events in which qualifications must be completed 2 weeks prior to the first Dressage day of the event.
- The closing date for entries will be four weeks after the opening date.
- By 3:00 p.m. of the day prior to the start of the entire competition, or upon arrival if later, each horse, including non-competing horses, shall be issued a number. This number must be worn at all times when the horse is being ridden or exercised.
- The only practice fences that competitors may jump are those flagged fences provided by the Organizer.
- The Cross-Country course will be open for inspection to all competitors at 1500 hours (3:00 p.m.) of the day before the start of the entire competition. All obstacles, flags and markers that have to be observed by competitors shall be exactly in position when the course is shown to competitors. In the case of multiple courses running on the same track, a sign will be posted at obstacle(s) to be changed, indicating such change(s). This shall include changes of flags or to the obstacle(s).
- After the course has been shown to competitors, they are allowed to revisit the course and examine the obstacles during the hours of daylight.
- The course for the Jumping Test will be opened to competitors not less than 30 minutes before the start of the Jumping Test, and at convenient intermissions during the Jumping Test. Competitors on foot will be admitted to the arena by the Ground Jury. An announcement must also be made over the public address system.
- An approved and completed medical card is required any time while jumping. It must be enclosed in a transparent, waterproof carrier. It must be securely attached to the competitor’s upper arm on the outside of the competitor’s clothing. It must include any relevant medical history, injury (particularly to the head), drug allergies and current medication. Athletes are responsible to record all injuries on the card. Failure to wear one’s own medical card shall be penalized by a fine of $100.
- A body protecting vest must be worn warming-up for and in the cross-country test.
- One whip no longer than 120 cm (47.2 in) including lash may be carried when riding on the flat at any time.
- One whip no longer than 120 cm (47.2 in) may be carried during the Dressage Test except in USEF/USEA Championships and USEA Championship divisions.
- If a whip is carried in the Cross-Country and/or Jumping Test, or while jumping any obstacle before these tests, it must not be weighted at the end or exceed 75cm (30”) in length.
- An adjustable-length whip may not be carried by a mounted rider.
- Spurs may be worn at any time.
* DRESSAGE: Horse Trials (Beginner Novice through Preliminary).
Helmet - black or navy.
Coat - dark color or tweed, tail coats are not permitted.
Shirt - white or light color, with stock and pin, or choker, or tie.
Gloves (if worn) - dark color, tan, beige or white.
Breeches - light color or white.
Boots - black, brown, field, jodhpur or a black or brown full grain smooth leather leg piece and matching leather boots. Chaps and/or half-chaps are not allowed.
* CROSS-COUNTRY:
Light-weight clothing is appropriate for this Test.
Shirt - any color, with sleeves.
Helmet - any color.
Breeches - any color.
Gloves (if worn) - any color.
Boots - black, brown, field, jodhpur or a black or brown full grain smooth leather leg piece and matching leather boots. Chaps or half-chaps are not allowed.
* SHOW JUMPING:
Hunting dress or uniform.
Helmet - Covers other than solid black or dark blue are not allowed.
Coat—dark color or tweed (if Novice through prelim.)
Shirt— stock with pin, choker or tie.
Gloves (if worn)—dark color, tan, beige or white.
Breeches - light color or white.
Boots—black, brown, field, jodhpur or a black or brown full grain smooth leather leg piece and matching leather boots. Chaps or half-chaps are not allowed.
- At temperatures above 85°F, a heat index above 85°, or at the discretion of the Ground Jury or the Organizer, competitors will be permitted to compete without jackets, in the dressage and/or jumping tests. In such cases, competitors must wear either a long or short sleeved shirt of conservative color without neckwear.
- In inclement weather competitors may wear a wind-breaker jacket or rain coat over their clothing; their number must be visible.
* SADDLERY:
* EXERCISE AREAS:
The following restrictions begin at 3:00 p.m. of the day prior to the start
of the entire competition and continue throughout the duration of the event - The following are compulsory: an English type saddle and any form of bridle, including double bridle, snaffle, gag or hackamores. Running martingales with rein stops, Irish martingales, bit guards, boots, bandages, fly shields, nose covers, and seat covers are permitted. Side reins are permitted only while lunging an unmounted horse, as are running reins and chambons. Other martingales, any form of gadget (such as a bearing, running or balancing reins, etc.) and any form of blinkers, are forbidden, under penalty of disqualification.
a. The following are compulsory: an English type saddle and a permitted bridle.
b. A double bridle with cavesson noseband, i.e. bridoon and curb bits with curb chain (made of metal or leather), is permitted for some tests.
(1) Cavesson noseband may never be so tightly fastened as to harm the horse.
Lipstrap and rubber or leather covers for the curb chain are optional.
(3) Bridoon and curb must be made of metal or rigid plastic and may be covered with rubber (flexible rubber bridoons and/or curbs are not allowed).
(4) The lever arm of the curb bit is limited to 10 cm (length below the mouth piece).
(5) If the curb has a sliding mouthpiece, the lever arm of the curb bit below the mouthpiece must not measure more than 10 cm when the mouthpiece is in the uppermost position.
(6) The diameter of the ring of the bridoon must be such as to not hurt the horse.
c. A snaffle bit made of metal, leather, rubber or plastic material is permitted for all tests.
(1) It may have a cavesson noseband, dropped noseband, crossed noseband, or flash noseband.
(2) The noseband must be made entirely of leather or leather like material, except for a small disc of sheepskin, which may be used in the intersection of the two leather straps of a crossed noseband.
d. A breast plate may be used. For drawings of permitted bits and nosebands see Appendix 4.
Permitted bits for a particular test are specified on each test.
e. Martingales, bit guards, any kind of gadgets (such as bearing, side, running or balancing reins, etc.), reins with any loops or hand attachments, any kind of boots or leg bandages and any form of blinkers, including earmuffs, earplugs, hoods, fly shields, nose covers and seat covers are, under penalty of elimination, strictly forbidden. However, under exceptional circumstances, fly shields may be permitted by the Ground Jury.
* CROSS COUNTRY AND SHOW JUMPING:
a. The type of saddlery is optional with the exception of any form of blinkers, which are forbidden.
b. Only unrestricted running martingales with rein stops or Irish martingales are allowed. Reins must be free of any loops or hand attachments and must be attached to the bit(s) or directly to the bridle. Exception: u-shaped bit converters may be used so that a bit designed for use with two reins may be controlled with a single rein. Gags or hackamores are allowed. In the interest of safety, the stirrup iron and stirrup leathers must hang free from the bar of the saddle and outside the flap. There must be no other restrictions or attachments of any kind.
- The use of a radio or cellular phone while competing is forbidden, under penalty of disqualification.
a. Allowing anyone other than the competitor to school his horse,
b. Riding in the Dressage arena or in the Jumping arena prior to the actual competition,
c. Riding close to Cross-Country obstacles prior to the actual competition,
d. Jumping practice fences that are not flagged,
e. Jumping practice fences in the wrong direction,
f. Jumping practice fences while they are being held,
g. Jumping practice fences that have been raised above the height or beyond the spread allowed,
h. Jumping practice fences at times other than those laid down by the Organizer,
i. Inspecting the obstacles of the Cross-Country course before they are officially shown to all competitors,
j. Inspecting the obstacles of the Jumping course when the arena is closed,
k. Entering the Jumping arena on foot after the competition has started,
m. Exercising with improper saddlery,
n. Use of a radio or cellular phone while competing.
- Comprised of three distinct tests (dressage, XC, jumping), usually taking place on one or two days, during which a competitor rides the same horse throughout. The Dressage Test must be first. The Cross-Country and Jumping Tests may follow in either order.
- In principle, the Cross-Country Test should be the most influential of the three tests of a Horse Trial. The Dressage Test, while less influential than the Cross-Country Test, should be slightly more influential than the Jumping Test.
a. Optimum Time—The distance divided by the designated speed gives the optimum time. Completing the course in less than the optimum time results in zero time penalties. A competitor exceeding the optimum time will be penalized in accordance with EV141.2.a. Time is counted in whole seconds, parts of a second counting as the next whole second (e.g. 30.25 seconds is recorded as 31 seconds.)
b. Speed Fault Time—For the Beginner Novice, Novice and Training Levels, the distance divided by the speed fault speed gives the speed fault time. Completing the course in less than the optimum time is not penalized up to the speed fault time. Completing the course in less than the speed fault time will be penalized in accordance with EV141.2.b. Time is counted in whole seconds, parts of a second counting as the next whole second (e.g. 30.25 seconds is recorded as 31 seconds.)
c. Time Limit—The time limit is twice the optimum time. A competitor exceeding the time limit will be eliminated.
d. Timing - Time is counted from the instant the starter gives the signal until the instant when the mounted horse reaches the finishing line. Time is counted in whole seconds, parts of a second counting as the next whole second (e.g. 30.25 seconds is recorded as 31 seconds). When an electronic timer is used for the start, the starter must cut the beam with his hand.
- Red or White Boundary Flags—These shall be used to mark the starting and finishing lines, to mark compulsory passages, and to define obstacles. They are placed in such a way that a
competitor must leave a red flag on his right and a white flag on his left.
-Yellow Directional Markers - These shall be used to show the general direction to be taken and to help competitors find their way. Where necessary, they shall be superimposed with the
first letter or color of the level. Passing close to them is not obligatory.
- Numbers and Letters - Each obstacle shall be numbered. Obstacles with elements or options (see EV140.2) shall in addition be lettered (A, B, C, etc.). Each compulsory passage shall be marked with the first letter of the level and numbered consecutively.
(1) Numbers and letters shall be painted as follows: Advanced—white on a blue back-
ground, Intermediate—white on a red background, Preliminary—white on a green back-
ground, Training—white on a black background, Novice—black on a white background, Beginner Novice—black on a yellow background or as designated by the organizer and printed on the course map.
- Start and Finish Signs—In addition to the red and white boundary flags, the starting and finishing lines shall also be marked by distinct signs.
- Stopping Points—These shall be marked by a peg painted in a vivid color, surveyor’s flags, or by a sign.
- Plan of the course: Each competitor will be given in advance a plan showing the track of the course. The plan must be available by at least 3:00 p.m. of the day before the entire competition, but may be available sooner at the Organizing Committee’s discretion. The plan must include the following: the position of the start and finish lines, the numbered compulsory passages, the numbered obstacles, the distance, the optimum time, the time limit.
- 1. FAULTS AT OBSTACLES:
(1) First refusal, run-out or circle 20 penalties
(2) Second refusal, run-out or circle at the same obstacle 40 penalties
(3) Third refusal, run-out or circle at the same obstacle Elimination
(4) Fourth penalized disobedience on the entire course Elimination
(1) First fall of competitor Elimination (RF)
(2) First fall of horse Mandatory retirement
*to facilitate accurate administration of EV105.3 (Loss of Establishment) Competitor Falls will be denoted as “RF” on official score sheets and results.
c. Willful Delay - (Beginner Novice, Novice and Training Levels)
(1) Between the last fence and the finish line 20 penalties
2. TIME AND SPEED FAULTS:
(1) Exceeding optimum time 0.4 penalty point per sec.
(2) Exceeding time limit Elimination
b. Speed Faults - (Beginner Novice, Novice and Training Levels)
(1) For each second under Speed Fault Time 0.4 penalty points
3. ADDITIONAL REASONS FOR ELIMINATION :
a. Elimination is left to the discretion of the Ground Jury in the following cases:
(1) Jumping or attempting to jump any obstacle without headgear, or with an unfastened retention harness, EV114.1.
(2) Willful obstruction of an overtaking competitor, or failure to follow the instructions of the officials while being overtaken, EV138.5c
(3) Causing danger to another competitor while overtaking that competitor, EV138.5c.
(4) Failure to stop when signaled, EV138.7b.
(5) Unauthorized assistance, EV138.8a.
b. Elimination must be applied in the following cases:
(1) Competing with improper saddlery, EV115.3.
(2) Error of course not rectified, EV138.3.
(3) Omission of obstacle or compulsory passage, EV138.3.
(4) Jumping an obstacle or passing through a compulsory passage in the wrong order, EV138.3.
(5) Jumping an obstacle in the wrong direction, except when EV142.5 applies.
(6) Retaking an obstacle already jumped, except when EV142.5 applies.
- If run-out or refuse in SJ combination (double, triple, etc.) then you must re-do the whole combination.
- Alternate jumps will have the same number, and "Alternative" on them. If there is a run-out/refusal, you can re-try either jump. If there is a knock down, you have to wait for it to get set up again, and then you can re-try either jump.
1. The time of a round, recorded in seconds and in tenths of a second, with parts of a second counting as the next whole second (e.g. 60.2 seconds is recorded as 61 seconds), is the time taken by a competitor to complete the round, plus the time correction (EV152.8) if any.
a. It starts at the precise moment when the mounted competitor passes the starting line in the correct direction providing the starting signal has been given, or at the moment 45 second count-down expires. It extends to the moment when the mounted competitor crosses the finishing line in the correct direction, after having jumped the last obstacle.
b. Supported by one manual timer, electronic timing is strongly recommended for all National Divisions.
c. If electronic timers are not used, two manual timers, one of which is to be in line with both the start and finish lines, and has direct contact with the Jury, regardless if electronic timers are used or not, are required for all divisions.
a. The time allowed for a round in each competition is determined in relation to the length of the course and the speeds laid down under Annex 2.
a. The time limit is equal to twice the time allowed for all competitions in which a time allowed has been laid down.
a. The time allowed may be adjusted at the sole discretion of the judge(s), if they feel that a gross error in the measurement of the course has been made. This change may occur only after consultation with the course designer and technical delegate. Adjustment of the time allowed may never occur later than after the completion of a third round without disobedience. The time allowed may never be lowered resulting in the awarding of time faults to any competitors having ridden prior to the change without disobedience.
a. The Time Allowed should be announced prior to the start of the class. After the first three competitors, to complete the class, without disobedience, have completed their rounds, the Time Allowed and their times should be announced jointly. In cases where there is no electronic read out board, or it is not visible to riders in the in-gate area, the reference times for all the competitors in the class should be announced, along with their score.
a. While the clock is stopped, the competitor remains free to move around until the ringing of the bell gives him permission to start again. The clock is restarted when the competitor reaches the place where the clock was stopped. Exception, in the case of a disobedience with a knock-down EV152.9 applies.
b. The responsibility for starting and stopping the clock rests solely with the judge in charge of the bell. The timekeeper may not be made responsible for this function.
Comprised of three distinct Tests, taking place on separate days, during which a competitor rides the same horse throughout, namely:
a. A Dressage Test spread over one or more consecutive days, depending on the number of competitors, directly followed on the next day by
b. A Cross-Country Test comprising four Phases
(1) Phases A and C—Roads and Tracks
(3) Phase D—Cross-Country Obstacles directly followed on the next day by
2. CATEGORIES. Categories indicate the extent of foreign participation in a Three-Day Event. The four categories of Three-Day Events are:
a. National Three-Day Event (CCN)
b. International Three-Day Event (CCI)
c. Official International Three-Day Event (CCIO)
d. International Championship Three-Day Event (CH)
3. LEVELS. The levels of Three-Day Events are indicated by stars. The four levels of Three-Day Events are:
a. Training Three-Day Event - An educational introduction to the Three-Day Event at the Training Level.
b. One Star (*)—An introduction to the Three-Day Event for competitors and horses.
c. Two Star (**)—For competitors with some experience in Three-Day Events on horses just beginning International competition.
d. Three Star (***)—For competitors and horses with some International experience.
e. Four Star (****)—For experienced and successful combinations of International competi- tors and horses.
4. All Three-Day Events in the United States will be denoted by their Category and their Level, for example: a CCN** is a National Three-Day Event at the Two Star Level. Events limited to Seniors are indicated by the letters noted above, for example: a CCN***. Events limited to Young Riders are indicated by the addition of the letter “Y”, for example: CCN-Y**. Events limited to Juniors are indicated by the addition of the letter “J”, for example: CCN-J*.
* HT LEVELS:
1. Beginner Novice—The Beginner Novice level is designed to introduce green horses and riders to Horse Trials, combining dressage, cross-country and Beginner jumping tests. It is designed for competitors and horses that have already had experience schooling competitions in all three disciplines. The entire experience should be safe, inviting and educational to build confidence and a desire to progress. Competitors should be prepared to do a walk, trot and canter dressage test with 20-meter figures and a halt. The cross-country should include a variety of introductory obstacles, including a bank-up, a shallow natural ditch, an inviting water crossing and a brush. Obstacles must have a minimum of two strides between two numbered obstacles. Such combinations of straight forward efforts are the only obstacles composed of several elements that are permitted. The jumping course should be inviting and straightforward and may include one double of two strides.
2. Novice—The Novice Level is a continuing introduction to Horse Trials. It is designed for competitors and horses with some experience at lower levels or for experienced riders and horses new to the sport. The dressage will not differ greatly from Beginner Novice. The cross-country will invite bold, forward movement involving galloping in balance and jumping out of stride. The obstacles will be more substantial and may include a drop, a double, and a simple obstacle out of water. At such water obstacles, the exit shall not be revetted. The jumping course shall include a double and a variety of straight and spread fences, which may include a triple bar.
3. Training—The Training Level is an elementary examination of competitors and horses with some experience and training. The dressage test may ask for further development of the basic gaits, including lengthening at the trot and canter, as well as 10-meter trot and 15-meter canter figures. The cross-country should include obstacles formed of two, or possibly three, elements involving the previously introduced banks, drops and ditches. Jumps into and out of water and narrow fences should be introduced. While these questions are becoming more sophisticated, they must remain positive and inviting in nature. The jumping course shall include two doubles or a triple, a variety of turns, and sequences of various types of obstacles.
4. Preliminary—The Preliminary Level is a moderate examination of competitors and horses in a regular training program preparing for One Star Events. The dressage test may include medium paces at the trot and canter, as well as the introduction of leg yielding, shoulder in, rein back, and changes of lead through the trot. The cross-country should include tests of accuracy, agility, boldness, control, judgment and jumping ability. Obstacles may now include angled lines, corners, simple bounces, slopes, and combinations involving water or narrow fences. The jumping course shall include two doubles, or a double and a triple, and may incorporate alternative obstacles. It will emphasize quickness of recovery, and may require lengthening or shortening stride.
5. Intermediate—The Intermediate Level is an examination of increasing technical difficulty, pre- paring competitors and horses for Two Star Events. The dressage test may include canter to halt and walk to canter transitions, as well as turns on the haunches, simple changes, and counter canter. The cross-country should now combine in more elaborate settings the tests introduced at the Preliminary Level, such as combinations with more than one question to be solved. Obstacles to be expected include banks, ditches, or water with narrow elements, a bounce combined with other elements, or corners in a combination. The jumping course will include more related distances, and emphasis will be placed on lines of obstacles.
6. Advanced—The Advanced Level is the highest national level of Horse Trials. It offers tests of significant difficulty designed to prepare competitors and horses for either Three or Four Star Events. The dressage test may include extensions in all three paces, half pass at the trot and canter, and single flying changes. The cross-country should be clearly a test of boldness and scope as it now combines size with technical difficulty. Combinations with multiple questions are to be expected, such as bounces into water, coffins with short distances or significant slopes, and bending lines or related distances between narrow questions. The jumping course will similarly relate virtually all obstacles, distances and turns.
* SPECIFICATIONS FOR HT's:
- A competitor and/or a horse may be entered in a Horse Trial without having fulfilled the qualifications noted below, provided the qualifications have been fulfilled by the closing date for entries. In all cases, at least one Qualifying Result must be obtained in the current or preceding calendar year.
* SECTIONS:
4.1 JUNIOR (J) - Open to competitors through the end of the calendar year of their 18th birthday.
4.2 YOUNG RIDER (YR) - Open to competitors through the end of the calendar year of their 21st birthday.
4.3 SENIOR (S) - Open to competitors from the beginning of the calendar year of their 19th birthday.
4.4 AMATEUR (A) The following may participate in Eventing competitions as an Amateur.
a. Any competitor in possession of a valid Amateur card issued by the USEF, or
b. Any Senior USEA member who competes in the Training, Novice or Beginner Novice Level who meets the requirements of Federation GR1306. Individuals declaring such status must present, upon demand, an audited financial statement in support of the claim of eligibility; failure to do so will be deemed a violation. Misrepresentation of eligibility under this provision will subject an individual to disciplinary action under GR1307.6, GR1307.8, GR1308.3 and Chapter 6. Amateur certification under this provision is valid for Eventing competitions only and does not confer Amateur status for participation in any other Breed or Discipline.
4.5 RIDER (R) - Open to competitors who have not completed an event above the next highest level in the 5 years preceding the date of the competition, e.g. a Novice Rider may have completed an event at Training level, but not Preliminary level or higher in the 5 years preceding the date of the competition; a Training Rider may have completed an event at Preliminary level, but not Intermediate level or higher in the 5 years preceding the date of the competition.
4.6 HORSE (H) - Open to competitors of any age, horse may not have completed an event above the next highest level. e.g. a Novice Horse may have completed an event at Training level, but not Preliminary level or higher; a Training Horse may have completed an event at Preliminary level, but not Intermediate level or higher.
4.7 For the purposes of this rule, FEI divisions are considered to be one level higher than the equivalent National division, e.g. FEI One Star is one level higher than a Preliminary Horse Trial. A rider who has completed an event at the Advanced Level is not eligible to compete as an Intermediate rider. BOD 1/23/11 Effective 12/1/11
4.8 YOUNG HORSE (YH) - Open to competitors of any age, horse may not have competed above the level and meets the following age restrictions:
4.8.1 Novice - four or five years of age.
4.8.2 Training - four or five years of age.
4.8.3 Preliminary - five or six years of age.
4.8.4 Intermediate - six or seven years of age.
4.8.5 Advanced - six or seven years of age.
4.9 OPEN (O) - Both horse and rider may have competed at any level.
5 CHAMPIONSHIP (CH) - open to all qualified riders on qualified horses.
OTHER - Restricted by breed or other designation as defined by Organizing Committee, approved by the Federation/USEA, and designated in the Omnibus listing.
