United States Eventing Association

United States Equestrian Federation Eventing Jumper Rules

The rules for Eventing Jumping (EV 143 - EV154) were re-written in the 2009 United States Equestrian Federation rule book.

The reason for this was to bring them in line with F.E.I. rules for Jumping and to make it easier for competitors and officials cross referencing them, especially when National classes were run along side F.E.I. classes.

In general very little has changed but now both rules books follow the same conical order and have the same wording. However, it was necessary to make some changes to the National rules so that both rule books read the same and to include some additional rules relating to National divisions that were not previously addressed.

Below is a brief synopsis of some of these changes:

EV144.1

The arena must now be fully enclosed and all entrances and exits must be physically closed when a competitor is on course.

(This rule always existed for F.E.I. divisions but must now be implemented for all National divisions. This has a three fold effect: If a horse gets loose during a class it is less likely to gallop out of the arena into a busy schooling area and cause an accident. Also, the position of the Jury often prevents them having an accurate view of the entrance, and if a horse baulks while passing the entrance while on course, it is difficult to ascertain if it has left the arena and come back in, in which case it would mean elimination. Equally, from a competitor’s point of view, if their horse has this problem it is less likely to try to leave the arena if the entrance is closed).

EV146.1 and Appendix 2

Although the 10% additional measurement to the length of course has been added, following the same rule introduced by the F.E.I. two years ago, the F.E.I. has, from 1^st January 2009, introduced a new rule, that courses in all divisions can be up to a maximum of 600 metres long. This rule was adopted as an extraordinary rule change by the United States Equestrian Federation at their recent Annual meeting and will apply to ALL National divisions forthwith.

(The original rule of maximum and minimum lengths in relation to the number of efforts transferred in principle that the lower divisions were more technical then the higher ones. This now gives the course designer more flexibility in building appropriate courses for the various divisions and should make course changes easier. It should also mean that courses will be measured more appropriately, as often they were measured too tight to get within the maximum allowed distance).

EV148.3

If ONLY a flag, defining the limits of an obstacle, is knocked down during a disobedience, the competitor does not have to be stopped to replace it. It must be replaced before the next competitor commencers its round.

(As the basic jump has not been disturbed this saves a little time and helps get through the day)

EV149.3

The width of a liverpool is now defined and cannot be any wider then 1.8m (6ft)

EV149.4

The maximum and minimum depths of cups have been made clearer.

(While it is still permissible to have cups of a minimum of 20mm (approximately ¾”) 25mm (1”) is recommended and compulsory for F.E.I. Divisions).

EV149.5

The minimum length of a jumping element has not been changed and remains at 1.8m (6ft). This differs from the FEI Rules which prescribe a minimum length of 2.50m (approximately 8 ft).

EV 149.6

The maximum width of an oxer, including any projection of a wall, or other object, in front of the top pole, must not exceed 25cm more then the maximum height for that division. Similarly, the width of a triple bar can not exceed 50cm the maximum height for that division. There is no longer a ‘base’ spread for oxers.

(The table in Appendix 2 was not altered at the time of the printing of the rule book and an extraordinary rule change has now corrected this to comply with the above widths).

The F.E.I. in their 2009 rule book have reduced the overall widths of oxers to 20cm and triple bars to 40cm.

EV149.9a

Although it is common practice, this rule now confirms that only one pole can be used on the back of a spread fence.

(The rule for approved F.E.I. safety cups has been in force for some time, but officials are reminded that these must be used for the back pole of spread fences and ALL centre poles of triple bars).

EV152 (Time)

(The previous rule book made very little reference to how a jumping round was to be timed. This is now laid out in some detail, as per the F.E.I. rule book but your attention is drawn to the following)

EV152.1.b & c

Electronic timing is recommended (compulsory for F.E.I. divisions) but if used a manual back-up is still required.

If Electronic timing is not used then there has to be two manual back-up timers, of which, one has to be in line with the start and finish.

(The other can be a member of the jury sitting in the judge’s box).

EV152.4

Officials are reminded that the time can be changed at ANY time, up to the completion of the third competitor’s round, without disobedience, in that division.

(Also, there is no reason that the time cannot be changed for a subsequent section of the same division if the Jury feels that in hindsight the time for the first section was too tight).

EV152

This rule now requires that the time taken on course for ALL competitors is announced along with their scores when there is no electronic readout board, or if that board is not visible to competitors at the in-gate.

(This is to give competitors an idea of how the course is riding in relation to the time allowed and it is hoped that this will educate some competitors to ride at a more realistic pace and encourage better jumping).