Feb 04, 2022

Rule Refresher: How Can I Be Disqualified?

By Meagan DeLisle - USEA Staff
USEA/ Meagan DeLisle photo.

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

Want to catch up on past rule refreshers? Click here.

Apr 25, 2025 Competitions

2025 K3DE Rider Talk: What Are They Saying About Cross-Country?

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Apr 25, 2025 Competitions

Off the Record Breaks Records in Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S at Defender Kentucky

Off The Record decided not to let Michael Jung be the only record-breaking entry at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event this week and delivered a career-best score in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S on Friday morning. He and Will Coleman delivered a test that received a score of 21.8, not only marking a personal best for the horse but also securing their position at the top of the leaderboard going into cross-country tomorrow.

Apr 25, 2025 Competitions

Soaked, but Not Shaken: Boyd Martin Flies the Flag for the U.S. at Defender Kentucky in Second

Boyd Martin and the 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding Commando 3 were the last pair to go in the Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L field on Friday afternoon and were warmly greeted to the bluegrass with an impressive downpour that outshined anything the other horse and rider pairs had to combat throughout the day. But that didn’t stop this pair from putting their best foot forward and impressing the judges enough to earn them a score of 26.0, just 0.2 points ahead of second-place pair Tom McEwen (GBR) and Brookfield Quality.

Apr 25, 2025 Association News

Beware of Phishing Attempts and Other Types of Fraud

Please always remain vigilant when it comes to sending any personal communications via email or text. Every year we receive reports of members and leaders of our sport receiving phishing attempts both online and by phone. These are often communications disguised as being sent from USEA staff or other leaders. As the years go on, the phishing attempts appear to be more directed and tailored.

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