Sometimes things just don't go according to plan and can result in a disqualification. Are you aware of the many reasons a disqualification might happen? To help you prepare for your 2022 competition season, be sure to read over section EV117 Disqualification in the USEF Rules for Eventing.
Text has been taken directly from the USEF Rules for Eventing with emphasis added by the USEA.
EV117 Disqualification
1. Disqualification means that a competitor and his horse(s) may not take further part in the Event. It is applied at the discretion of the Ground Jury.
2. Ground Jury may disqualify a competitor in the following cases when, in its opinion, the action constitutes unsportsmanlike or abusive conduct:
a. Allowing anyone other than the competitor to school his horse, EV108.2a.
b. Riding in the Dressage arena or in the Jumping arena prior to the actual competition, EV108.2c.
c. Riding close to Cross-Country obstacles prior to the actual competition, EV108.2c.
d. Jumping practice fences that are not flagged, EV108.3c and EV108.3d.
e. Jumping practice fences in the wrong direction, EV108.3d.
f. Jumping practice fences while they are being held, EV108.3d.
g. Jumping practice fences that have been raised above the height or beyond the spread allowed, EV108.3d.
h. Jumping practice fences at times other than those laid down by the Organizer, EV108.3d.
i. Inspecting the obstacles of the Cross-Country course before they are officially shown to all competitors, EV109.1a.
j. Inspecting the obstacles of the Jumping course when the arena is closed, EV109.2.
k. Entering the Jumping arena on foot after the competition has started, EV109.2.
l. Abuse of horse, EV111.
m. Exercising with improper saddlery, EV115.1.
n. Use of a radio or cellular phone while competing. EV116
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“It's day 1, so I'm not getting too excited yet. There's a long, long way to go in this competition,” said Phillip Dutton after his dressage test aboard Denim in the Cosequin CCI4*-S leaving the pair in the overnight lead upon the conclusion of the first day of dressage at the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event.
And they're off! The first official day of competition at the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (K3DE) begins today and we have a schedule jam-packed with dressage for both the four- and five-star fields.
The CCI5*-L field was narrowed by one this afternoon following the first horse inspection on High Hope Inspection Lane at the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Horse and rider pairs were looking their best, with a few horses demonstrating their readiness for the upcoming competition through their flamboyant behavior (we're looking at you Bronte Beach Z and Dyri).
The man, the myth, the legend himself, Derek di Grazia is back in his typical fashion at this year's Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event and he has designed some beautiful tracks for both the CCI5*-L and CCI4*-S competitions this year. You can get a first look at these amazing courses as well as some insider interviews with di Grazia himself thanks to our friends at the CrossCountry App!