United States Eventing Association

Having a coach is critical to your success at an eventing competition. Coaches provide necessary guidance regarding all three phases of the competition, safety, horse welfare, and so much more. But did you know there are times where your coach cannot assist you? In eventing receiving what the USEF Rules for Eventing defines as "unauthorized assistance" during any of the three competition phases is strictly prohibited and can result in elimination. In this month's Rule Refresher, we take a deep dive into unauthorized assistance so you can know what is and what is not allowed at your next horse trial.

Text has been taken directly from the USEF Rules for Eventing with emphasis added by the USEA.

Firstly, let's take a look at the definition of unauthorized assistance which is outlined in EV104 Definitions:

4. UNAUTHORIZED ASSISTANCE. Any intervention by a third party, solicited or not, with the object of
facilitating the task of the Athlete or helping their Horse.

It is important to note that by the definition outlined above, unauthorized assistance is not only strictly regulated to your coach, but also to your friends, family, or any other support person, or even a stranger you do not know!

Now, let's look at the breakdown of regulations across the three phases.

EV118 Dressage Phase Rules outlines that it is at the discretion of the Ground Jury to determine if a horse and rider combination should be eliminated for receiving unauthorized assistance. The official language pulled from EV18 is as follows:

14. Unauthorized Assistance may be penalized by Elimination, at the discretion of the Ground Jury.

In EV121 Cross-Country Rules, we get a more detailed outline of what is prohibited on cross-country.

8. UNAUTHORIZED ASSISTANCE.
a. The following instances of Unauthorized Assistance are prohibited:

1. To join another Athlete and to continue the course together;
2. To be followed, preceded or accompanied, on the course by any vehicle, bicycle,
   pedestrian, or horseman;
3. To post people at certain points to call directions or make signals in passing;
4. To have someone at an Obstacle to encourage the Horse by any means;
5. To tamper with the Obstacles or any part of the course, including but not limited to, markers,
   indicators, notices, ropes, trees, branches, wire or fences, whether temporary or permanent.

b. Appointed personnel or spectators who draw the attention of an Athlete to a deviation from the course
may result in the Elimination of the Athlete.

c. Cases of Unauthorized Assistance and associated penalties will be decided by the Ground Jury.

It is important to note that EV121 also clarifies the following as authorized assistance:

9. AUTHORIZED ASSISTANCE.
a. Whip, headgear, or spectacles may be handed to an Athlete at any time.

b. An Athlete may receive clarification of jumping penalties from appointed personnel (e.g., after jumping
a marker at a corner, the appointed personnel may clarify whether it was a run-out or not).

Lastly, there is one whole section of the rulebook dedicated to receiving unauthorized assistance during the show jumping phase.

EV125 Show Jumping Phase Unauthorized Assistance
1. Unauthorized Assistance is any intervention by a third party with the object of helping the Athlete or Horse, regardless if it is solicited, between crossing the start line to begin the course and crossing the finish line after jumping the last Obstacle.

2. Unauthorized Assistance may be penalized by Elimination, at the discretion of the Ground Jury.

a. If permitted by the Ground Jury, an Athlete may enter the arena on foot or with the help of a groom
without being penalized for Unauthorized Assistance.

b. Any help given to a mounted Athlete to adjust their saddlery or bridle or to hand them a whip during
the round must incur Elimination.

c. To hand a mounted Athlete their headgear and/or spectacles during their round must not be
penalized as Unauthorized Assistance.

d. Warning an Athlete of a deviation from the course must be penalized as Unauthorized Assistance.
The Athlete and/or the individual who have the warning may be Eliminated or otherwise penalized, at
the discretion of the Ground Jury.

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