United States Eventing Association

FEI Eventing Rule Change Proposals for 2020 Competition Season

Each year, the FEI distributes proposed changes to FEI Eventing Rules to National Federations for review and comment. Proposals for the 2020 competition season include, but are not limited to:

Horse Welfare

Proposal from the FEI Board / Legal Department:
It is suggested to review to separate and redefine Recorded Warnings from Yellow Card sanction as they relate to abuse of horse, dangerous riding, and blood on horse. The recorded warnings would be eventing specific and the yellow cards would apply for the same offenses as for all disciplines.

The Eventing Committee supports the proposal as well as an increase of the responsibility of the Athlete in case of Dangerous Riding and Abuse of Horse on course.

Licensed Officials

Explanation of Proposed Change:

IRL NF: Inclusion of “Completed an online educational questionnaire every year with a
positive assessment

FEI FEEDBACK: The Eventing Committee agrees and will await the progress report of FEI campus. The age limit as agreed by GA 2018 is deleted.

Cross-Country Scoring

Proposal Received from National Federation and agreed to by the Technical Committee:

IEOC: The IEOC proposed the following wording for the rule to be updated:

Run out: a) A horse is considered to have run out (20 penalties) if, having been presented at an element or obstacle on the course, the head, neck or shoulders (to the point of the front of the saddle) fail to pass between the extremities of the element or obstacle as originally flagged, or the hind end has not made an effort to jump.(i.e. the pelvis has travelled around the side of the fence without jumping). Continuing on course without representing will incur elimination.

b) Clear: The head, neck and both shoulders (to the point of the front of the saddle), (i.e. not the legs or pelvis), have passed between the extremities of the element or obstacle as originally flagged and the hind end has made an effort to jump.

GER NF: The German NF appreciates the intention of the rule taking into account that the rider could feel whether he must represent or not. But there is a strong feeling that the wording needs some clarification. The practical experiences this season will show. Maybe it could be written the other way round (clear first, 15pens 2nd, run out 3rd).

USA NF: We feel that even with the amendments made for 2019 rule does not sufficiently address the ongoing confusion regarding the various circumstances under which penalties are assessed for missing a flag.

FEI FEEDBACK: This rules is currently under discussion and a proposal will be made by the Eventing Committee taking into account the different suggested wording and reviewing the overall concept for the reason of the rule and, taking into account a 2019 season evaluation.

Dressage Scoring

Proposal Received from National Federation and not agreed to by the Technical Committee:

GER NF: In case of delay of results and too many video-reviews request to change this rule back.

FEI FEEDBACK: The Eventing Committee suggests to remove the reference to the average and enforce this article when the variation exceeds 3 points or more between judges. The situation will be reviewed in September.

Saddlery

Proposal from the Technical Committee:
Double bridles are not allowed for the Dressage Test of 1* and 2* Competition. The Eventing Committee suggests to extend this requirement to 3* as well and allow the use of Double Bridle for 4* and 5* only.

Proposal Received from National Federation and agreed to by the Technical Committee:
AUS NF: Equestrian Australia Eventing Committee do not believe that the use of bitless bridles on the cross-country phase provides sufficient control.

FEI FEEDBACK: The Eventing Committee believes that bitless bridle should not be used during the cross-country test for risk management reasons.

Proposal from the Technical Committee:
The Eventing Committee suggests to extend the non-allowance of stirrups with restricted separation from boots (such as magnetic stirrups) for the eventing jumping test as well as the use of rein with hand loops for the jumping test.

Frangible/Deformable Obstacles

Proposal from the Technical Committee:
The Eventing Committee agrees to the RMSG recommended rule that frangible devices in four-star, five-star, and championships be made compulsory from 2020 and indicate in the cross-country guide that compulsory use across all levels is envisioned from 2021.

Proposed changes will be reviewed during the meeting of the FEI General Assembly, November 16-19, 2019, in Moscow, Russia. Click here to review a summary of all proposed changes and National Federation Comments to date.

Following the FEI General Assembly, the USEF Eventing Sport Committee will meet to consider possible changes to the USEF Rules for Eventing which, if approved, will become effective January 1, 2020.