1. A jumping competition is one in which the combination of horse and competitor is tested under various conditions over a course of obstacles. It is a test intended to demonstrate the horse's freedom, its energy, its skill, its speed and its obedience in jumping and the competitor's horsemanship.

2. If a competitor makes certain faults such as knocking down an obstacle, refusing, exceeding the time limit, etc. he incurs penalties. The winner of the competition is the competitor who incurs the least number of penalties, completes the course in the fastest time or gains the highest number of points, depending on the type of competition.

3. It is not intended to standardise jumping competitions, since variety provides a precious element of interest for competitors and spectators alike, which must be preserved at all costs.

4. Other competitions or variations to the special compe-titions may be authorised by the Secretary General in consultation with the Chairman of the Jumping Committee, provided their conditions comply with the requirements laid down in the General Regulations and the Rules for Jumping Events. Detailed conditions of each competition must be set out clearly in the schedule and in the programme of the event. Organisers are not permitted to organise show classes unless the FEI has approved the conditions according to which these classes may be run. Organisers wishing to organise events or international competitions for five year old horses must apply for permission to the FEI through their NF. The conditions according to which these classes may be run must be approved by the FEI.

5. Competitions must be fair for all competitors. It is, therefore, essential that strict and detailed rules are established to regulate them. For this reason, the rules which follow must be respected, except when the FEI has authorised certain relaxations which are justified by local conditions.

6. The use of similar sounding words in English and in French which do not have exactly the same meaning can easily cause confusion.

For the sake of consistency in the Rules, the following terms in English and in French will be taken to have the same meaning:

Disobediences Désobéissances

Faults Fautes

Penalty (points) Pénalité (points de pénalités)

Score Résultat

(Note: The term "penalties" (instead of "faults") is used throughout the English text of the Rules as this term is used in the Rules of the other FEI disciplines. The term "fault" is used to cover all incidents during a round that are liable to penalties).

7. Age of Horses

Horses entered for Olympic Games and World Championships must be at least 8 years of age.

Horses entered in Regional Games, Continental Championships, World Cups, CSIOs and CSIs, must be at least 6 years of age.

In addition to their participation at the World Breeding Championship, five year old horses may participate at one international event only.

Horses may participate in events and competitions for Small Horses from 4 years of age (art. 289).