Olympic rules

The rules used in the Olympic Games are the international rules established by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI). They are the same rules used in international competition for all FEIsanctioned events.

RULES OF SHOWJUMPING

A ground jury consisting of various judges and officials (qualified according to FEI standards) inspects the course and judges the competition. Horses must be at least nine years old for Olympic competition. A bell is used to communicate with the competitor to signal when they may enter the arena, alert them to halt or continue after an interruption, or to indicate that the rider is eliminated. Red or white flags are used to mark obstacles or mandatory turns. Jumps generally are categorized as spreads, verticals or water jumps and may be set up in combinations.

FAULTS AND PENALTIES

• Four faults are given for each jump knocked down (a pole or one or more parts of the jump falls to the ground).

• Four faults are given if one or more hooves leave an impression on the lath surrounding a water jump.

• Four faults are given for the first disobedience (such as a run-out or refusal to jump).

• One penalty point is given for every four seconds or portion of a second exceeding the time allowed in the first and second rounds and jump-offs not against the clock.

• One penalty point is given for each second or portion of a second exceeding the time allowed in a jump-off against the clock.

GROUNDS FOR ELIMINATION

• Horse falls (shoulders and haunches touch the ground) or rider falls

• Second disobedience

• Uncorrected deviation from the course

• Exceeding the time limit

DRESSAGE

Dressage competition involves the dressage event and the dressage phase of the eventing competition. Judging for dressage is the most subjective of all of the Olympic equestrian sports. FEI rules outline the standards for each gait and element of the dressage test. Five judges, positioned around the outside of the 20-metre-by-60metre dressage arena, give each element a score, usually from 0 to 10 with some elements being given greater weight by multiplying the score by a ‘coefficient’. The ideal score is 100%.

Rules regarding the type of tack and dress that may be used are very strict. Competitors are disqualified if all four hooves land outside of the dressage arena, the horse refuses to perform for over 20 seconds, or the horse or rider falls. Penalties are given to riders who go off track or do not salute properly and for other minor infractions. These are deducted from the overall score. At the Olympic level penalties of this type are rare.

EVENTING

Eventing is a combined competition that includes phases of showjumping, dressage and cross-country jumping. Rules for showjumping and dressage are similar to those used for the individual events. Cross-country jumps are very imposing and not designed to fall or come apart when struck by a horse, although this is slowly changing due to several deadly accidents involving both horses and riders. Jumps may consist of verticals, spreads and ditches, hills, streams and banks. Judges sit at each obstacle and record any infractions.

GENERAL RULES

For the cross-country phase, an ‘optimum time’ is established. There is no benefit to finishing earlier than the optimum time, but penalties are given if the rider exceeds the optimum time. Riders may remount after a fall.

PENALTIES

• First disobedience (such as a run-out or refusal, or circling to re-approach the obstacle): 20 penalties

• Second disobedience: 40 penalties

• Third disobedience: elimination

• Fall of competitor at an obstacle: 65 penalties

GROUNDS FOR ELIMINATION

• Jumping or incurring a fault at an obstacle in the wrong order or passing through a compulsory passage in the wrong order.

• Horse is lame or exhausted at the Second Horse Inspection.

• Unapproved tack and equipment.

• Error of course not corrected.

• Missing an obstacle or a compulsory passage.

• Jumping an obstacle already jumped.

• Jumping an obstacle in the wrong direction.

• Abuse of horse such as excessive whipping or spurring.

• Fall of horse.

• Second fall of competitor.

RULES ACROSS THE ENTIRETY OF EQUESTRIAN

AGE REQUIREMENTS

Riders are required by the FEI to be a minimum of 16 years old to participate in dressage classes and 18 for showjumping and eventing due to the increased risk posed to both rider and mount. All horses must be at least 9. There is no maximum age for horse or rider.

NUMBER OF HORSES AND RIDERS

Quotas of horse/rider pairs vary between Games and between each discipline.

DRUG RULES

Due to a great deal of drug abuse, drug rules for horses were instituted at the 1972 Munich Olympics (although there was no testing at that Games). Currently, there are very strict rules regarding what drugs may be used on the equine athletes of equestrian competition.

VETERINARY INSPECTIONS

All horses at the Olympics must undergo a veterinary inspection before the Games to ensure they are in good health and not carrying any diseases. Veterinary inspections may also occur throughout the Games.