United States Eventing Association

Rule Refresher: What Is Considered Unauthorized Assistance in Show Jumping?

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.

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