Section 4: Players & Officials
4.1 Competitors
- Individual events: Each athlete competes as an individual horse-rider combination
- Team events: Teams of 3 riders per nation. All 3 scores count (no drop score since the team size was reduced from 4 to 3 in recent Olympic formats). Team and individual medals may be decided from the same competition or separate rounds depending on the discipline.
- Gender: No gender separation — men and women compete together in all events
- Nationality: A rider may only represent one nation. Maximum 3 riders per nation per discipline (individual).
4.2 Dressage Officials
- Ground Jury: 5 or 7 judges positioned at designated locations around the arena. Standard Olympic positions: C (at the short end behind the arena), H, M (long sides near C), B, E (center of long sides).
- Each judge scores independently: Judges do not communicate during the test. Each sees different angles of the movements, providing a comprehensive assessment.
- President of the Ground Jury: Sits at C position. Has authority to stop the test in cases of lameness, dangerous behavior, or blood on the horse.
- Stewards: Monitor warm-up arenas for welfare compliance, check equipment, and enforce rules on use of whips, nosebands, and draw reins.
4.3 Show Jumping Officials
- Course Designer: Creates the course, sets fence heights and distances, and determines the time allowed based on course length and prescribed speed (typically 375 m/min for Grand Prix)
- Fence Judges: Positioned at each obstacle to observe and record faults (knockdowns, refusals)
- Timekeepers: Electronic timing from the start line to the finish line
- Ground Jury: Oversees the competition, rules on eliminations, and decides protests
4.4 Eventing Officials
- Cross-country course designer: Designs and builds the course over a period of months or years. Course must be approved by the FEI Technical Delegate.
- Fence judges: Positioned at every obstacle on the cross-country course. Each judge records refusals, run-outs, falls, and penalties. Multiple judges at complex fences with alternative routes.
- Veterinary Commission: Conducts horse inspections before, during (at hold points on cross-country), and after competition. Has authority to withdraw any horse showing signs of distress, lameness, or injury.
- Technical Delegate: FEI-appointed official responsible for ensuring all regulations are followed and course safety standards are met