I’m a bit of a rule freak.

I tend to be a rule “follower” and if I break the teensiest, tiniest rule, even if it meant nothing to anyone…………I lose sleep about it.

Yeah.

I’m one of those people.

In light of this, I pride myself on knowing what the rules are for my sport.

I’m BAD at eventing.

Really bad.

So the last thing I need is getting the big “E” over a rule issue.

Many of the rules have changed over the years so I spend a rather large portion of time reading the rule book each year, and making sure I understand any changes.

Not to mention the rules that are different for different levels. Everyone knows which levels will get you eliminated for entering the dressage arena without your spurs? How about which levels you can’t wear a tweed coat in? I don’t even know what TWEED is…………..

Some of these rules are pretty darn stupid. Did I say that out loud?

Elimination for weighing with your whip in your hand? Seriously. Who came up with that one? 

A friend had a dressage judge threaten to eliminate her last year because her helmet was faded and therefore not the “required” color.

Really???

So here is the rule that I’ve seen, and heard, and read misquoted more than any other rule out there…….

Ready??

This came up while walking my first Prelim with my new horse. There was a small bank in the way to the first combination. It was about 6″ high and in order to get to the Prelim jump you had to hop down this Beginner Novice bank backwards from the way it was flagged.

A HUGE yelling match discussion ensued.

Here is the summary of statements by all riders and coaches involved.

1. You can jump it because it’s in the way, you can jump any jump if it’s in the way to your jump.
2. You can’t jump it because it’s flagged the other way.
3. You can jump anything below your level as long as it’s flagged.
4. You can jump anything up to one level above your level.
5. You can jump anything up to two levels above your level.

You get the point…..

I was pretty sure I knew what the rule really was, so I disagreed with them all, argued HEATEDLY with them all, and finally got the expert on the phone.

Don’t get me wrong.

I’d heard variations of “the rule” for decades…………….

So……………… are you ready for the rule???

The actual – for real- rule for eventing about jumping cross country jumps not on your course???

considered to be in effect at any one time.
Clear as mud right???

Let me ATTEMPT to clarify.

I got the rule expert on the phone and the conversation went something like this.

Bad Eventer: I’ve heard a lot of different rules quoted to me about jumping jumps that aren’t on your course. What is the actual rule?
The Expert: Who is telling you these different rules??
Bad Eventer: Um…. several people…………
The Expert: Such as????
Bad Eventer: Moving on, can you please clarify?
(The Expert then reads me the above rule, word for word.)

Bad Eventer: So that means you can jump anything you want because only the jumps flagged for your level are in effect?
The Expert: Well. It’s not AGAINST the rules, but you risk getting eliminated for Dangerous Riding if the TD doesn’t like it.
Bad Eventer: So it doesn’t matter if the jump is flagged or not, you can jump it?
The Expert: Flagged or not, if there are spectators sitting on it you will get eliminated for Dangerous Riding.
Bad Eventer: So, you can jump things backwards, and it’s not against the rules?
The Expert: WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO JUMP OBSTACLES NOT ON YOUR COURSES??? Can’t you people just go over the ones you’re supposed to???????

So there you have it.

You can “school” that smaller ditch or splash through the water before jumping in if you want to…………….

but if there are spectators in the way…………you’ll probably get eliminated!