United States Eventing Association

2020 Olympic Selection Procedures Announced

US Equestrian (USEF) has announced the selection procedures for the 2020 Olympics taking place in Tokyo, Japan, Friday, July 31 – Monday, August 3, 2020.

According to the official selection procedure documentation, “All athletes and horses wishing to compete on the 2020 Olympic Games Eventing Team must earn a FEI Certificate of Capability between January 1, 2019 and June 2, 2020 by having achieved one qualifying result at a Concours Complet d’Equitation CCI5*-L, or one CCI4*-S AND one CCI4*-L, to be eligible to compete in the Event.” Riders must be born on or before December 31, 2002 and horses must be at least 8 years of age to be eligible to compete.

Qualifying results are defined by the FEI Rules for Eventing section 517 – Minimum Eligibility Requirements:

a) Dressage test: not more than 45 penalty points (or 55%).
b) Cross-country test: A clear round at obstacles (activating a maximum of one frangible device will maintain the MER result on cross-country); Not more than 75 seconds exceeding the optimum time in the cross-country test four-star level competitions and 100 seconds in the case of five-star level competitions.
c) Jumping test: not more than 16 penalties at obstacles.

Horses and riders hoping to be considered for inclusion on the 2020 U.S. Olympic team may complete any of the events included on this list to earn their qualifications. Furthermore, in order to be considered they must complete one of the following selection trials:

• Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA) CCI5*-L | April 24-29, 2019
• Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR) CCI5*-L | May 1-5, 2019
• Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event (USA) CCI4*-L | May 8-12, 2019
• Tattersalls International Horse Trials (IRE) CCI4*-L | May 29-31, 2019
• Bromont CCI Three-Day Event (CAN) CCI4*-L | June 6-9, 2019
• Luhmühlen Horse Trials (GER) CCI5*-L | June 13-16, 2019
• Aachen CHIO (GER) CCI4*-S | July 18-20, 2019
• The Event at Rebecca Farm (USA) CCI4*-L | July 25-28, 2019
• Millstreet International Horse Trials (IRE) CCI4*-L | August 22-25, 2019
• Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR) CCI5*-L | September 5-8, 2019
• Military Boekelo-Enschede Horse Trials (NED) CCI4*-L | October 10-13, 2019
• The Dutta Corp Fair Hill International (USA) CCI4*-L | October 16-20, 2019
• Ocala Jockey Club International (USA) CCI4*-L | November 13-17, 2019
• Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA) CCI5*-L | April 24-29, 2020
• Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR) CCI5*-L | May 6-10, 2020
• Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event (USA) CCI4*-L | May 8-12, 2020

All applications to be considered for the U.S. Team must be submitted to the USEF with the $70 fee by February 14, 2020. Click here for application instructions.

The Selectors, in consultation with the Chef d’Equipe and Team Veterinarian, will recommend three athlete/horse combinations, a traveling reserve, and up to the maximum number of alternates no later than June 1, 2020 based on the following:

1. The overall performance and soundness of the athlete/horse combination in those 2019/2020 competitions designated as Selection Trials with emphasis on dressage scores, current fitness, cross-country, and show jumping performance: jumping without faults and/or incurring time penalties, boldness, rideability, and speed;
2. Additional international experience of the athlete/horse combination; preference may be given to athlete/horse combinations who have demonstrated ability to succeed in multiple international eventing competitions;
3. Athlete’s fitness;
4. The athlete/horse combination’s suitability to win an individual medal or contribute to a team medal at the Event;
5. Willingness of the athlete to work within the confines of the 2020 Olympic Games/USOPC accreditation allocation and restrictions;
6. Behavior of athlete and people associated with the athlete (including, without limitation, owners, coaches, and grooms) that may have an impact on creating a positive team environment. Athletes will be informed of any concerns regarding behavior prior to the Selectors making their selection decision.

The riders and horses named to this list will be required to “demonstrate their continued preparation, soundness, and ability” by competing at designated preparation events. These preparation events will be a CCI4*-S, an Advanced horse trial, or Advanced combined test to be held sometime after June 1, 2020.

The “long list” of athletes must be received by April 10, 2020. The declaration of starters will take place on July 30, 2020. The full selection procedures can be viewed here.