Eventing Rules

Download the annual AHTA Handbook! Lots of great information about eventing in Alberta!

Annual AHTA Handbook (pdf)

Check the Equestrian Canada Eventing Site for all up to date rules, regulations and competitor information.
It is the competitor’s responsibility to be up to date and aware of all the rules.

Provincially sanctioned levels in Alberta include Starter and Pre-Entry. The intention of these levels is to provide an introduction for those new to the sport and inexperienced horses. These levels are subject to all Equestrian Canada rules pertaining to Entry including the following specifications:

Starter:
Intent: Introduce horses and riders to the sport of eventing. Courses should be progressive and inviting
Maximum Height: 60 cm
Maximum Height: 60 cm
Maximum Width at top: 60 cm

X-Country:

• Optimum Speed: 300 mpm – Speed fault time begins at 400 mpm
• Speed windows apply as per Entry rules
• Cross country Single jumping efforts only – minimum of 10 strides between fences
• No drops
• No mandatory water
• No obstacles without height
• Courses are to be simple and inviting with considerate placement of cross country fences (i.e. NOT next to preliminary level fence or difficult terrain). Fences are to be wide and inviting with no fill.
• Using different shades of colours or clearly differentiated colours is recommended. Avoid optical illusions and also avoid reflective materials / gloss paint / shiny varnishes
• Approaches to obstacles should be on flat or gentle terrain
• Landings to be on flat or gentle terrain for several strides after the fence

Show jumping:

• Maximum Stadium: 300 mpm
• Oxers allowed – can not be first fence, can not be maximum height, can not be more than 25% of the total number of show jumps. Courses must be inviting and progressive.
• No combinations (i.e. minimum of 4 strides between fences)
• Jumps are to be built with rails only – no fill/boxes/flowers/planks etc.
• A maximum of 30% of the jumps are allowed to be at maximum height.

Pre-Entry
Intent: Introduce horses and riders to the sport of eventing. Courses should be progressive and inviting
Maximum Height: 75 cm
Maximum Width at top: 75 cm

X-Country:

• Optimum Speed Cross Country: 325 mpm – Speed fault time begins at 400 mpm
• Speed windows apply as per Entry rules
• Cross country Single jumping efforts only – A minimum of 10 strides between fences with exception. One set of fences a minimum of 6 strides per course (could have a 6 stride numbered separately but only one on course) is permitted. Open area and favourable appearance (simple inviting fences)
• No drops
• No mandatory water
• Obstacles without height must have an option
• Courses are to be simple and inviting with considerate placement of cross country fences (i.e. NOT next to preliminary level fence or difficult terrain)
• Using different shades of colours or clearly differentiated colours is recommended. Avoid optical illusions and also avoid reflective materials / gloss paint / shiny varnishes
• Approaches to obstacles should be on flat or gentle terrain
• Landings to be on flat or gentle terrain for several strides after the fence

Show jumping:

• Maximum Speed Stadium: 300 mpm
• No combinations (i.e. minimum of 4 strides between fences)
• A maximum of 30% of the jumps are allowed to be at maximum height.

For official levels – Advanced, Intermediate, Preliminary, EV-105, Training, Pre-training and Entry – see the Equestrian Canada and/or FEI Rule Book