Rule of the Week - Article 241 - Eliminations

Article 241 - Eliminations

1. Unless otherwise specified in the Rules or in the conditions for the Competitions, elimination means that the athlete, with the horse in question may not continue in the current competition at issue.

2. The athlete has the right to jump one single obstacle, after retiring or after being eliminated, providing that obstacle is part of the course of the current competition. This however does not apply to elimination arising from a fall.

3. The following paragraphs lay down the reasons for which Athletes are eliminated in Jumping Competitions. The Ground Jury must enforce elimination under the following circumstances:

3.1. jumping or attempting to jump an obstacle in the arena before the start of the round except for the practice obstacle(s) authorised by the Ground Jury (Art 202.3);

3.2. starting before the signal is given and jumping the first obstacle of the course (Art 202.5. and 203.1.2);

3.3. taking more than 45 seconds to jump the first obstacle after the time of the round has started, except all cases relating to circumstances beyond the influence of the athlete (Art 203.1.2);

3.4. a horse resisting for 45 consecutive seconds during the round (Art 223.2);

3.5. taking more than 45 seconds to jump the next obstacle, or to jump the last obstacle and cross the finishing line.

3.6. jumping the first obstacle while omitting to cross the starting line between the flags in the correct direction (Art 220.1.2)

3.7. omitting a compulsory turning point or not following the track indicated by a continuous line on the course plan;

3.8. attempting to or jumping an obstacle which does not form part of the course during the round (Art 220.1.5);

3.9. omitting to jump an obstacle of the course (Art 220.1.5) or after a run-out or a refusal, failing to attempt to jump again the obstacle where the fault was committed.

3.10. jumping an obstacle out of order (Art 220.1.4);

3.11. jumping an obstacle in the wrong direction (Art 220.1.4);

3.12. exceeding the time limit (Art 236 and 239);

3.13. following a refusal jumping or attempting to jump an obstacle which has been knocked down, before it has been rebuilt;

3.14. jumping or attempting to jump an obstacle after an interruption without waiting for the bell (Art 203.3);

3.15. not jumping all the elements of a combination again after a refusal or run-out. (Art 212.3) except in the case of the closed part of a combination (Art 214);

3.16. not taking each element of a combination separately and consecutively (Art 212.2);

3.17. not crossing the finishing line between the flags mounted in the correct direction, after having jumped the last obstacle (except in certain special competitions) before leaving the arena (Art 226.2);

3.18. athlete and/or horse leaving the arena without permission of the Ground Jury, including prior to starting;

3.19. a loose horse leaving the arena before the end of the round, including prior to starting;

3.20. accepting while mounted any object whatsoever during a round other than headgear and/or spectacles.

3.21. using a whip of more than 75 cm in length or weighted at the end, on the showground or in its immediate proximity. No substitute for a whip may be carried. (For exception to this article refer to Article 257.2.2);

3.22. an accident to an athlete or to a horse which prevents him from completing the competition (Art.258);

3.23. not leaving a closed combination in the right direction or displacing a closed combination;

3.24. second disobedience during the course of a round (Art.236 and Art.239) when competition is over 1.15 m in height;

3.24.1. third disobedience during the course of a round ( Art.236 and Art.239) when competition is 1.15 m and under in height.

3.25. Athlete eliminated as result of a fall must not remount in the competition arena (Art 224, 236 and 239);

3.26. if the Ground Jury feels that for any reason horse or athlete is unfit to continue in competition.

3.27. jumping or attempting to jump an obstacle in the arena after the completion of a round (refer to JRs Art. 202.6 regarding authorisation to jump an obstacle for the press).

4. Elimination is left to the discretion of the Ground Jury in the following cases:

4.1. not entering the arena when the athlete's name and/or number is called;

4.2. not entering the arena mounted or not leaving the arena mounted (except in cases of a fall after crossing the finish line, in which case the athlete is not to remount prior to leaving the arena)

4.3. all physical unauthorised assistance, except for paragraph 3.20 above;

4.4. schooling a horse in speed competitions under table A or C, without informing the OC in advance;

4.5 not stopping when the bell is rung during the round (Art 203.2. and 233.2).

4.6 an athlete entering the competition arena and distracting the athlete/combination on course during a competition.