How you get eliminated in show jumping: disobediences, falls and course errors

In show jumping not all faults are equal: some cost points, others end your round. Knowing what eliminates is essential. Here we explain, with the FISE National Regulation, disobediences, falls and course errors — and when they trigger elimination.

In short

• There are five disobediences: refusal, run-out, resistance, halt, circle.
• The first disobedience is 4 penalties (Table A). The second eliminates in classes above 100 cm; up to 100 cm (and for 4-year-old horses) it is still 4 penalties and the third eliminates. In federal events and regional championships it always eliminates.
• A fall of horse and/or athlete means elimination.
• Jumping the obstacles out of order (an uncorrected course error) and exceeding the time limit both eliminate.
• Source: FISE National Show Jumping Regulation (2025 edition).

Disobediences

The regulation (Art. 166) lists five disobediences: the refusal (the horse stops in front of the obstacle), the run-out, the resistance, the halt (the horse stops all forward movement) and the circle (crossing your own track between two obstacles). Arriving at an obstacle at an angle or with a sharp turn is not a disobedience.

On penalties: the first disobedience costs 4 penalties (Table A). The second disobedience eliminates in classes above 100 cm; in classes up to 100 cm and those for 4-year-old horses the second is still 4 penalties and the third eliminates. In federal events and regional championships, regardless of height, the second disobedience eliminates (Art. 175.4). In speed classes (Table C) a disobedience adds no points, but the second (above 100 cm) or the third (up to 100 cm) eliminates.

The fall

There is a fall of the athlete when, the horse not having fallen, the two separate and the athlete touches the ground (or a support). There is a fall of the horse when its shoulder and hip touch the ground (or an obstacle and the ground). In both cases, in any format, it is elimination.

The course error

Following a track different from the diagram, jumping obstacles out of order or jumping an obstacle not on the course is a course error (Art. 165). If it is "correctable" and the athlete returns to the track before the next obstacle, it only costs time; if it is not corrected, or an obstacle was jumped out of sequence, it means elimination.

Causes at the Jury's discretion

Beyond these, Art. 176 lists behaviours the Jury may punish with elimination, weighing the athlete's age and experience: not entering when called, entering not mounted or leaving on foot, receiving unauthorised assistance, not stopping at the bell, jumping an obstacle after crossing the finish.

The commentary. The logic is that the rules protect above all fairness and safety: a line error can be fixed, but a fall or outside help ends the round. For competitors, the lesson is to focus on order and rhythm — most eliminations come from haste or distraction, not from a "bad" horse.

Related deep-dives

How faults add up in penalties; time and speed; how the course is built. Back to the rules guide.

Source and disclaimer

Content verified against the FISE National Show Jumping Regulation (2025 edition), Arts. 165-172 (course error, disobediences, fall) and 174-176 (tables and causes of elimination). Verified on 14/09/2026. Independent, informational guide, unofficial and not affiliated with FISE: in competition the regulation in force prevails, and it updates by season.