United States Eventing Association

Rule Refresher: The "11 Penalty" Rule

With the introduction of frangible devices for cross-country fences came the introduction of penalties associated with activating a fence's frangible device. In 2015, the FEI rule regarding frangible devices, which originally gave a rider 21 penalties for activating a frangible device, was changed to 11 penalties. Effective on December 1, 2020, the USEF adopted a similar rule for nationally recognized competitions, also giving riders 11 penalties for activating a frangible device.

Below you will find the rules regarding penalties for activating a frangible device for both the USEF Rules for Eventing, which pertain to national competition for the Modified through Advanced levels, and FEI Eventing Rules, which pertain to all international competition for the CCI* through CCI5*-L levels. Text has been taken directly from the USEF Rules for Eventing and FEI Eventing Rules with emphasis added by the USEA.

USEF Rules for Eventing

EV141 Cross-Country Scoring

FAULTS AT OBSTACLES

a. Disobediences

1. First refusal, run-out or circle - 20 penalties
2. Second refusal, run-out or circle at the same obstacle - 40 penalties
3. Third refusal, run-out or circle at the same obstacle - Elimination
4. Third penalized disobedience on the entire course at Preliminary, Intermediate or Advanced - Elimination
5. Fourth penalized disobedience on the entire course at Beginner Novice, Novice, Training or Modified - Elimination
6. Activating a frangible fence - 11 penalties

FEI Eventing Rules

548 Scoring

548.1 Faults at Obstacles

Fault	Penalty
First refusal, run-out or circle	20 penalties
Second refusal, run-out or circle at the same obstacle	40 penalties
Third refusal, run-out or circle on course	elimination
Fall of Athlete or Horse on course	elimination
Activating a frangible device where the dimension of the fence is modified	11 penalties
Dangerous Riding	25 penalties
Missing a flag as per art. 549.2	15 penalties

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