United States Eventing Association

Rule Refresher: Show Jumping Elimination

After the rules for the jumping test, show jumping penalties, and show jumping timing and faults, there is a summary of the different ways to be eliminated in the show jumping phase in rule EV 154 Eliminations.

Text has been taken directly from the USEF Rules for Eventing with emphasis added by the USEA.

EV 154 Eliminations

1. Unless otherwise specified in the rules, elimination means that the competitor and the horse in question may not continue in the current competition.

2. The following paragraphs lay down the reasons for which competitors are eliminated from the jumping competition; the Ground Jury in the following cases must apply elimination:

a. jumping or attempting to jump an obstacle in the arena before the start of the round.
b. starting before the signal is given and jumping the first obstacle of the course (EV145.1b).
c. taking more than 45 seconds to jump the first obstacle after the time of the round has started, except all cases relating to circumstances beyond the influence of the competitor (EV145.1b).
d. a horse resisting for 45 consecutive seconds during the round (EV150.8b).
e. taking more than 45 seconds to jump the next obstacle, or to jump the last obstacle and cross the finishing line.
f. jumping the first obstacle while omitting to cross the starting line between the flags in the correct direction (EV150.5a(2)).
g. attempting to or jumping an obstacle which does not form part of the course during the round (EV150.5a(4)).
h. omitting to jump an obstacle of the course (EV150.5a(4)) or after a run-out or a refusal, failing to attempt to jump again the obstacle where the fault was committed.
i. jumping an obstacle in the wrong order (EV150.5a(3)).
j. jumping an obstacle in the wrong direction (EV150.5a(3)).
k. exceeding the time limit (EV152.3).
l. following a refusal, jumping or attempting to jump an obstacle which has been knocked down before it has been rebuilt.
m. jumping or attempting to jump an obstacle after an interruption without waiting for the bell (EV145.3).
n. not jumping all the elements of a combination again after a refusal or run-out. (EV149.10c).
o. not taking each element of a combination separately and consecutively (EV149.10b).
p. not crossing the finishing line between the flags mounted in the correct direction, after having jumped the last obstacle before leaving the arena (EV152.1b).
q. competitor and/or horse leaving the arena without permission of the Ground Jury, including prior to starting.
r. a loose horse leaving the arena before the end of the round, including prior to starting.
s. accepting while mounted any object whatever during a round except headgear and/or spectacles.
t. using a whip of more than 75 cm in length or weighted at the end, in the arena, No substitute for a whip may be carried.
u. an accident to a competitor or to a horse which prevents him from completing the competition.
v. second disobedience during the course of a round at Preliminary, Intermediate and Advanced level (EV153.4).
w. third disobedience at Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, and Modified level (EV153.4).
x. fall of competitor or horse during the round (EV150.9 and EV153.3).
y. if the Ground Jury feels that for any reason horse or competitor is unfit to continue in competition.
z. jumping or attempting to jump an obstacle in the arena after the completion of a round.

3. Elimination is left to the discretion of the Ground Jury in the following cases:

a. not entering the arena when the competitor’s name and/or number is called.
b. not entering the arena mounted or not leaving the arena mounted (EV151.2).
c. all unauthorized assistance, except for paragraph EV154.2s above.
d. not stopping when the bell is rung during the round (EV145.2 and EV152.9b).
e. Entering the arena with incorrect attire.

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