AEC Program

2024 AEC PROGRAM 57 the fence). Two disobediences are allowed at one obstacle. If there is a third disobedience at the same obstacle, the competitor is eliminated. At the Beginner Novice, Novice, and Training levels, four total disobediences are allowed on the entire course if they occur at two or more fences, with elimination resulting from the fourth disobedience. So technically, a horse could refuse one fence twice and then another fence and still continue on. But if they refuse a fourth time on course, that would result in elimination. At the Preliminary, Intermediate, and Advanced levels, the third penalized disobedience on course results in elimination. As of this year, falls will be penalized wherever they occur on course between the start flags and the finish line. A fall of the rider at Training level and above results in elimination of the horse and rider combination from the competition. At Beginner Novice and Novice level, a rider who falls but lands on their feet and remains standing may remount and continue on course carrying 65 penalty points. A second fall will result in elimination. If a Beginner Novice and Novice level rider falls but does not land on their feet and remain standing, they are eliminated. At all levels, if the horse falls (defined by the horse's haunch and shoulder on the same side touching the ground, or touching the obstacle and the ground, at the same time), the result is mandatory retirement. CROSS-COUNTRY SCORING: DISOBEDIENCES First disobedience 20 penalties Second disobedience 40 penalties Third disobedience at same obstacle Elimination Third disobedience on entire course (Preliminary, Intermediate, Advanced) Elimination Fourth disobedience on entire course (Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, Modified) Elimination Activating a frangible obstacle in the jumping effort 11 penalties FALLS First fall of rider (Training, Modified, Preliminary, Intermediate, Advanced) Elimination First fall of rider who lands on their feet and remains standing (Beg. Novice, Novice) 65 penalties Second fall of rider (Beginner Novice, Novice) Elimination First fall of horse Mandatory Retirement TIME Speed Faults (Beginner Novice, Novice, Training) 0.4 penalty point for each second under speed fault time Exceeding Optimum Time 0.4 penalty point per second Exceeding Time Limit* Elimination *The time limit is calculated by doubling the optimum time

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