EAJC Clarification for Jumping Falls Rule

The EAJC have recently amended the wording in Article 224 – Falls and Article 235 – Faults indicating a rider who falls is required to be ‘checked’ by the medial service at an event.  Previously the wording was ‘cleared’. The medical service is there to provide first aid assistance and advice, clearances can only be provided by a medical doctor.  If the rider shows any symptoms of concussion determined by first aid or the designated official by using the CRT 5 tool , the concussion protocol requires the athlete to be removed from further competition and the concussion protocol must be followed (located in the EA General Regulations EA General Regulations -  Article 140 - Protection of Athletes (page 22) ).

Article 224 – Falls

1. An Athlete is considered to have fallen when, either voluntarily or involuntarily, he is separated from his Horse, which has not fallen, in such a way that he touches the ground or finds it necessary, in order to get back into the saddle, to use some form of support or outside assistance. If it is not clear that the Athlete has used some form of support or outside assistance to prevent his fall, the benefit of doubt must be given to the Athlete.

2.  A Horse is considered to have fallen when the shoulder and quarters have touched the ground or the obstacle and the ground.

3. In case of a fall of an Athlete and/or a Horse at any time in the Competition arena, in the practice arena or elsewhere within the grounds of the Event, the Athlete and/or the Horse must be cleared checked by the Event’s medical service, respectively the Veterinary Delegate, before the Athlete and/or the Horse may be permitted to take part in the next round or Competition at the Event.

Article 235 – Faults

3. Disobediences occurring between the signal to start and the moment the Athlete/Horse combination crosses the starting line in the correct direction, are not penalised. However, in the event of a fall, of an Athlete and/or Horse from the moment the combination enters the arena up until the moment they cross the starting line in the correct direction once the signal to start has been given, the combination will not be able to take part in the round or Competition in question. Furthermore, in the event of a fall of an Athlete and/or Horse at any time in the Competition arena, whether the signal to start has been given or not, the Athlete and/or the Horse must be cleared checked by the Event’s medical service, respectively by the Veterinary Delegate at the Event, before the Athlete and/or Horse can be permitted to take part in the next round or Competition at the Event. (Refer also to JRs Art. 224.3.)

4. A fall of the Athlete and/or Horse after crossing the finish line does not incur Elimination. However, in the event of a fall after the finish line, the following applies:

4.1      In case of a fall of an Athlete and/or Horse after crossing the finish line in a Competition with an immediate jump-off, the Athlete/Horse combination is eliminated from the jump-off, and will be placed equal last in the jump-off with Athletes who have withdrawn, retired or been eliminated from the jump-off. The Athlete and/or the Horse must be cleared checked by the Event’s medical service, respectively by the Veterinary Delegate, before the Athlete and/or Horse can be permitted to take part in any further Competition at the Event.

4.2      In case of a fall of an Athlete and/or Horse after crossing the finish line in a Competition with a jump-off (but not an immediate jump-off) or after crossing the finish line of the first round of a two-round Competition, the Athlete and/or the Horse must be cleared checked by the Event’s medical service, respectively by the Veterinary Delegate, before the Athlete and/or Horse can be permitted to take part in the jump-off, respectively in the second round.

4.3      In case of a fall of the Athlete after crossing the finish line of a jump-off, or after crossing the finish line of the initial round if the combination did not qualify for the jump off, or after crossing the finish line in a Competition with no jump-off, the Athlete and/or the Horse must be cleared checked by the Event’s medical service, respectively by the Veterinary Delegate, before the Athlete and/or Horse can be permitted to take part in any further Competition at the Event.