Show jumping: some eventers love it and others stress out about memorizing their course more than they do their dressage test. Running through courses at home regularly in your lessons can definitely help with perfecting the strides between lines or helping boost your memory on what jump comes next, but assistance during your round at a competition is strictly prohibited. What does that mean truly for you as the athlete? We've outlined the rule below from the USEF Rules for Eventing that addresses unauthorized assistance in show jumping to help you better understand what help you can and cannot receive while in the ring.
Text has been taken directly from the USEF Rules for Eventing with emphasis added by the USEA.
EV125 Show Jumping Phase Unauthorized Assistance
1. Unauthorized Assistance is any intervention by a third party with the object of helping
the Athlete or Horse, regardless if it is solicited, between crossing the start line to begin
the course and crossing the finish line after jumping the last Obstacle.
2. Unauthorized Assistance may be penalized by Elimination, at the discretion of the
Ground Jury.
a. If permitted by the Ground Jury, an Athlete may enter the arena on foot or with the help of
a groom without being penalized for Unauthorized Assistance.
b. Any help given to a mounted Athlete to adjust their saddlery or bridle or to hand them a
whip during the round must incur Elimination.
c. To hand a mounted Athlete their headgear and/or spectacles during their round must not
be penalized as Unauthorized Assistance.
d. Warning an Athlete of a deviation from the course must be penalized as Unauthorized
Assistance. The Athlete and/or the individual who have the warning may be Eliminated or
otherwise penalized, at the discretion of the Ground Jury.
Want to catch up on past rule refreshers? Click here.
Are you following along with the action from home this weekend? Or maybe you're competing at an event and need information fast. Either way, we’ve got you covered! Check out the USEA’s Weekend Quick Links for links to information including the prize list, ride times, live scores, and more for all the events running this weekend.
The 2025 United States Eventing Association (USEA) American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds is just over three months away, which means it is time to start planning your trip to Temecula, California! This year, the AEC will be on a Western rotation to the ever-popular Galway Downs, which is a staple on the Area VI calendar each year.
The U.S. Equestrian Federation is pleased to announce that the Maryland International and Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm in Adamstown, Maryland, has been chosen as the host of the 2026-2027 USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships (CCIJ1*-Intro, CCIYJ2*-S, CCIU253*-S). The championships will be held on June 25-28, 2026, and June 24-27, 2027.
What makes a trainer qualified to coach? Could it be a master’s degree in psychology from Harvard University? A career as a five-star event rider? Being an ‘A’ rated Pony Club graduate? Getting your license as a U.S. Equestrian Federation ‘R’ judge and technical delegate for eventing?