|
|
|
| |
Scoring
The advanced level fences, such as this one from the Rolex Kentucky Three Day, can be very wide.
Because the lowest score wins, each combination of horse and rider seeks to complete the cross-country with as few penalties as possible. If larger faults occur, such as multiple refusals, the horse will be eliminated (E) from competition and will not be allowed to finish the course. Elimination has also been subdivided in the United States to include Technical Elimination (TE), if a mistake is made that is unrelated to the horse (for example, jumping two fences in the wrong order). Riders may also choose to retire (R) on course if their horse is having a poor run. This prevents the rider from continuing the competition, but is often a good choice if the horse is physically or mentally overfaced by the challenges. Mandatory Retirement (MR) occurs if the horse falls, even if he is not noticeably injured, to help protect the horse's welfare. Withdrawing (W) only occurs if the horse is taken out of competition when he is not on course. Rider may be disqualified (DQ) if they endanger their mount or other people on course. The United States added Dangerous Riding penalties in 2007, to be added at the discretion of the ground jury if a rider is going around the course in an unsafe manner (for example, at an extreme speed).
Article Continued Below |
|
|
 
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Article Continued from Above
Disobediences from the horse
- First refusal or crossing tracks (circling) in front of an obstacle: 20 penalties per obstacle
- 2nd refusal or crossed tracks at the same obstacle: 40 additional penalties
- 3rd refusal or crossed tracks at the same obstacle (an "obstacle" includes all its elements): elimination
- 4th cumulative refusal or crossed tracks on the entire course: elimination
Errors on course
- Jumping obstacles in the wrong order (#5 before #4, or element B before A): elimination
- Jumping a fence in a direction which is not flagged: elimination
- Ommission of a jump or compulsory passage: elimination
- Note: the only time a competitor may jump an obstacle twice in a row is if a refusal occurs at a second element (B) and the rider can not approach "B" without re-jumping "A" (a bounce, for example)
- Note: the horse is only allowed to jump from a standstill if the obstacle's height is no higher than 30 cm (for example, banks and ditches). Jumping any other obstacles from a standstill (a "prolonged halt") counts as a refusal.
- Note: horses are allowed to step sideways, but any step back is considered a refusal.
Falls
- First fall of rider: 65 penalties
- 2nd fall of rider: elimination
- Fall of horse (quarters and shoulder touches ground): Mandatory retirement
- Note: riders may dismount at anytime on course without penalty, but the dismount must not be related to an obstacle
Time faults
- Every second commenced above the optimum time, rounded up to the nearest second: 0.4 penalties/sec
- Exceeding the allowed time (2× the optimum time): elimination
- In the United States, going too fast for the level will result in "Speed Faults": 0.4 penalties/sec for every second under the Speed fault time
- Trying to increase one's time, or "willfull delay," to avoid speed faults (circling, serpentining, walking, or halting between the final fence and the finish): 20 penalties
Other reasons for elimination
- Rider without headgear or a fastened harness strap
- Improper saddlery (for example, riding with a running martingale and no rein stops)
- Overtaking another rider on course in a dangerous manner (for example, jumping a fence at the same time as the other rider): elimination
- Willful obstruction of an overtaking competitor: elimination
- Failure to stop on course when signalled: elimination
- Horses head and front shoulder outside of the flags: elimination
|
|
|
|
|
|
