Cross-Country Test

All scoring is computed on a penalty basis.

Faults at Obstacles
Faults at an obstacle are penalized only if in the opinion of the official concerned they are connected with the negotiation or attempted negotiation of one of the numbered or lettered obstacles on that course

These faults are the same for the Steeplechase and the Cross-Country, but each phase is independent of the other, the totals on one phase not carrying over to the other phase.

Time Faults
In addition to faults at Obstacles, a competitor exceeding the "Optimum Time" (obtained by dividing the distance by the required speed) on any of the phases is penalized:

 

  • PHASES A & C (Roads & Tracks) - A competitor is penalized 1.0 penalty point for each second in excess of the Optimum Time, up to the Time Limit, which is 1/5th more than the Optimum Time.
  • PHASE B (Steeplechase) - A competitor is penalized 0.8 penalty point for each second in excess of the Optimum Time, up to the Time Limit, which is twice the Optimum Time.
  • PHASE D (Cross-Country) - A competitor is penalized 0.4 penalty point for each second in excess of the Optimum Time, up to the Time Limit, which is twice the Optimum Time. Note: The same time faults apply whether the competition is held in the long or short format.

 

Assistance Outside assistance is FORBIDDEN under penalty of elimination. Any intervention by a third party, WHETHER SOLICITED OR NOT, with the object of facilitating the task of the rider or helping his horse is considered illegal assistance.

After the fall of a rider, it is PERMITTED to help him adjust his saddlery, to help the rider remount or catch a loose horse and to hand him his equipment.

If a rider is in difficulty at an obstacle and a horse should become trapped, the Fence Judge shall decide if parts of the obstacle shall be dismantled or if other assistance shall be given. The competitor will be instructed to dismount and will be eliminated.

Faults at Obstacles

First Refusal, run-out, circle20 penalties
Second Refusal, run-out, circle at the same obstacle40 penalties
Third Refusal in the entire Cross-CountryElimination
Fall of riderElimination
Fall of horseElimination
Competing with improper saddleryElimination
Error of course not rectifiedElimination
Omission of obstacle or compulsory passageElimination
Jumping an obstacle or passing through a compulsory
passage in the wrong order		Elimination
Jumping an obstacle in the wrong directionElimination
Retaking an obstacle already jumpedElimination