Section 7: Violations & Penalties
7.1 Dressage Violations
- Error of course: Performing the wrong movement or at the wrong letter. First error: 0.5 percentage point deduction. Second error: 1.0 percentage point deduction. Third error: elimination.
- Lameness: If the Ground Jury President determines the horse is unlevel during the test, the test is stopped and the combination is eliminated
- Resistance: If the horse refuses to perform a movement for more than 20 seconds, the judge sounds the bell and the rider must move to the next movement (that movement scores 0)
- Leaving the arena: If all four hooves of the horse leave the arena, the combination is eliminated
7.2 Show Jumping Violations
- Knockdown: 4 faults per element knocked from its cups
- First refusal: 4 faults. Horse must re-approach and jump the fence.
- Second refusal (cumulative): Elimination
- Fall of rider: Elimination (rider separating from the horse)
- Fall of horse: Elimination (horse's shoulder and hindquarters touch the ground)
- Wrong course: Taking fences in incorrect order or missing a fence = elimination
- Exceeding time limit: Elimination if the rider exceeds twice the time allowed
7.3 Eventing Cross-Country Violations
- First refusal at a fence: 20 penalty points
- Second refusal at the same fence: 40 penalty points (rider may take the alternative route if available)
- Third refusal (cumulative across the course): Elimination
- Fall of rider: Elimination
- Exceeding optimum time: 0.4 penalties per second
- Exceeding time limit (2× optimum): Elimination
- Dangerous riding: The fence judge may report dangerous riding (approaching a fence at excessive speed, lack of control, or unsafe line). The Ground Jury may issue penalties or eliminate the combination.
7.4 Welfare and Conduct Violations
- Blood on horse: Inspection required. May result in a warning, compulsory halt, or elimination depending on severity and cause.
- Excessive whip use: Stewards may issue a yellow card (warning) or report to the Ground Jury for further sanction. FEI guidelines specify a maximum of 3 uses of the whip in jumping/eventing without excessive force.
- Abuse of the horse: Any act of cruelty or abuse (kicking, punching, or excessive force) results in immediate disqualification, a fine, and potential suspension by the FEI Tribunal.
- EADCM violations: Positive drug test on the horse results in disqualification of results and possible suspension of the athlete for up to 2 years