Rule of the Week - Article 226 / 227 / 228. Time of the Round / Time allowed / The limit.

Article 226 – Time of the Round
1. The time of a round, recorded in seconds and in hundredths of a second, is the time taken by an athlete to complete the round, plus the time correction (Art 232) if any. The time awarded to the athlete starts running either upon crossing the starting line as per Art 226.2 or upon expiration of the 45 sec countdown (see JRs Art 203.1.2), whichever occurs first. It extends to the moment when the mounted Athlete crosses the finishing line in the correct direction, after having jumped the last obstacle.
2. The round starts when the mounted Athlete passes the starting line in the correct direction for the first time after the bell has been rung. It extends to the moment when the mounted athlete crosses the finishing line in the correct direction, after having jumped the last obstacle.
3. A display board beside the arena, clearly visible for the athlete, should show the 45-second count-down. If there is no display board, the 45-second rule will still apply.

Article 227 – Time allowed
The time allowed for a round in each competition is determined in relation to the length of the course and the speeds laid down under Article 234, FEI Annex II or EA Annex I.

Article 228 – The limit
The time limit is equal to twice the time allowed for all competitions in which a time allowed has been laid down.