Errors:
* The use of the
voice in any way whatsoever or clicking the tongue once
or repeatedly is a serious fault involving the deduction
of at least two marks from those that
would otherwise have been awarded for the movement where
this occurred.
* When a competitor makes
an “error of course” (takes
the wrong turn, omits a movement, etc.) the judge at
C warns him by sounding the bell. The judge shows him,
if necessary, the point at which he must take up the
test again and the next movement to be executed, then
leaves him to continue by himself. However, in some
cases when, although the competitor makes an “error
of course”, the sounding of the bell
would unnecessarily impede the fluency of the performance
(for instance if a competitor makes a transition at
V instead of K), it is up to the judge at C to decide
whether to sound the bell or not. However, if the bell
is not sounded at an error of test in which the movement
is repeated and the error occurs
again, only one error is recorded.
* When a competitor makes
an “error of the test”
(trots rising instead of sitting, does not take the
reins in one hand at the salute, etc.), he must be penalized
as for an “error of course”.
* In principle, a competitor
is not allowed to repeat a movement of the test unless
the judge at C decides on an error of course and sounds
the bell. If the competitor has started the execution
of a movement and tries to do the same movement again,
the judge(s) must consider the first movement shown
only and at the same time penalize for an "error
of
course"
* Errors of Course
or Test will be penalized : 1st Time by 2 points. 2nd
Time by 4 points. 3rd Time by elimination
Eliminations:
* Failing to enter the
arena within 45 seconds of the starting signal, EV134.3.
* Entering the arena before
the starting signal has been given, EV134.3.
* Receiving unauthorized
assistance, EV134.15. Any outside intervention by voice,
signs, etc., is considered unauthorized assistance.
A competitor receiving unauthorized assistance will
be eliminated,
* Performing the test in
incorrect dress, EV113.
* Performing a test with
improper saddlery, EV114.2, or with an illegal whip,
EV113.3, or with illegal spurs, EV113.4.
* Marked lameness, EV134.8.
In case of marked lameness, the judge at C, after consultation
with the other judge(s) if appropriate, will inform
the competitor that he is eliminated.
There is no appeal against this decision.
* Leaving the arena between
the time of the entry and the final salute, EV134.9.
A horse leaving the arena completely, with all four
feet, between the time of entry and the final salute,
will be eliminated.
* Resistance, EV134.10.
Any resistance that prevents the continuation of the
test longer than 20 seconds will be punished by elimination.
* After elimination, a
competitor may continue his performance to the end.
The marks will be awarded in the ordinary way.
Dress Code:
Tests and Horse Trials (Beginner Novice through Preliminary)—Hunt
Cap—black or dark blue; Coat—dark color
or tweed, tail coats are not permitted; Shirt—white
or light color, with stock and pin, or choker, or tie;
Gloves (if worn)—dark color, tan, beige or white;
Jodhpurs, Britches—light color or white; Boots—black,
brown, field, jodhpur or a black or brown full grain
smooth leather leg piece and matching leather boots.
Chaps and/or half-chaps are not allowed.
Horse Trials (Intermediate and Advanced)—Two Day
& Three Day Events. As above except no tweed coat.
When tails are worn: Top Hat—black or dark blue;
Shirt—stock with pin; Gloves (required)—white
or dark color; Britches—as above; Boots—preferably
black dress or a black full grain leather leg piece
and matching leather boot. Chaps and
half-chaps are not allowed. Members of armed and police
forces, service dress with gloves, regulation headgear
and spurs in accordance with EV113. Protective headgear
may be worn without penalty.
Beginner Novice - Preliminary, spurs are not compulsory.
Spurs are required at Intermediate and Advanced Horse
Trials, Intermediate Two-Day Events and Intermediate
and Advanced Three-Day Events. Roweled spurs are permitted
for the
Dressage test (at all levels) and when practicing/warming-up
for the Dressage test. If rowels are used, they must
be free to rotate and the rowel must be round and smooth
“Dummy spurs” with no shank and swan neck
spurs are allowed.
At temperatures above 85°F, a heat index above 85,
or at the discretion of the Ground Jury or the Organizer,
competitors will be permitted to compete without jackets,
in the dressage and/or jumping tests. In such cases,
competitors must wear either a long or short sleeved
shirt of conservative color without neckwear; members
of the armed
forces and police units may ride in their summer uniforms.
Saddlery:
a. The following are compulsory: an English type saddle
and a permitted bridle. b. A double bridle with cavesson
noseband, i.e. bridoon and curb bits with curb chain
(made of metal or leather), is permitted for some tests.
(1) Cavesson noseband may never be so tightly fastened
as to harm the horse.
(2) Lipstrap and rubber or leather covers for the curb
chain are optional.
(3) Bridoon and curb must be made of metal or rigid
plastic and may be covered
with rubber (flexible rubber bridoons and/or curbs are
not allowed).
(4) The lever arm of the curb bit is limited to 10 cm
(length below the mouth piece).
(5) If the curb has a sliding mouthpiece, the lever
arm of the curb bit below the mouthpiece must not measure
more than 10 cm when the mouthpiece is in the uppermost
position.
Bits:
1. Ordinary bridoon bit
2. Bridoon bit with two joints
3. Egg-butt bridoon bit
4. Bridoon bit with cheeks
5. D-ring bridoon (or racing snaffle)
6. Half moon curb bit
7. Curb bit with curved cheeks and port
8. Curb bit with loops for lipstrap on the cheeks and
with port
9. Curb bit with port and sliding mouthpiece (Weymouth)
10. Curb chain
11. Lipstrap
12. Rubber or leather cover for curb chain
Whips:
One whip no longer than 110cm (43.3 in.) may be carried
during the Dressage Test except in USEF/USEA Championships
and USEA Championship divisions. As an exception, riders
competing sidesaddle may carry a whip in the dressage
test at all competitions, including championships.
Spurs:
Spurs may be worn at any time. Spurs are required in
the dressage test at the Intermediate and Advanced levels.
Spurs capable of wounding a horse are forbidden. Spurs
must be of smooth metal. If there is a shank it must
not be longer than 3.5 cm (1 3/8 inches) and must point
only towards the rear. Rowels are not permitted except
as in 5(c) (below). If the shank is curved, the spurs
must be worn only with the shank directed downwards.
Eventing
Dressage Teasts Resources:
2006-2009
Eventing Dressage Tests DVD Advanced Sales:
The U.S. Eventing Association is pleased to offer the
new 2006-2009 Dressage Tests DVD for advance sale. This
new DVD, produced by Premier Equestrian, will help riders
perfect their performance, understand the questions,
and get a leg-up on the competition. Top riders, including
three-time Olympian Karen O’Connor, perform all
of the new 2006 eventing dressage tests, Beginner Novice
through Advanced. Fourteen tests in total.
FEI “I” judge and test author
Sally O’Connor discusses what the judge is looking
for in each of the tests, helping shave off penalty
points. This is an outstanding educational tool for
riders, instructors, and officials. Priced at $19.95
for USEA members and $24.95 for non-members. Click
here for a .pdf writeable copy of the order form.
For more information, contact the USEA National Headquarters
at 703.779.0440.
